well, the story continues... I did have other things on my plate, but here's what happened:
I did NOT open the box. Libby came and got it, and opened it herself.
I was a bit skeptical but never want to mess with anybody's NGD, so I looked wise and
told her it was fine. It's light, had remarkable tone and is an unusual custom guitar
that she paid too much for.
She let me play it, and I liked the tone and the action, and I told her so.
I was busy at this time trying to deal with the aftermath of my lady's car accident and
subsequent surgery, and so I didn't pay a lot of attention.
I did NOT get out my magnifier and go looking for trouble. Libby posted a lot of the usual
kinds of honeymoon love. She let my other trio partner play it, and he sounded really good
on it. He didn't look at it with a magnifier either.
So while i was busy figuring out the crazy strands of my shattered life, she played it a
lot and ended up discovering problems she didn't understand. She took it to my favorite
luthier on my recommendation and he suggested that the instrument go back to the
maker for some warranty work. (Probably needs a neck reset and some fretwork)
Ay yi yi... Not my circus, not my monkeys. Who wants to get into a situation like that?
Not me. I bought my latest guitar from Sweetwater, made by Gibson guys in Montana.
They looked it over carefully for me, and set it up as part of the price. It's worth it.
And I've had a good experience. We'll see if the maker does right by her. I don't think she
went about this in the right way, but she didn't ask me for any wise advice or the
Voice of Experience.
So am I glad I didn't open that box? Jah, you betcha.
This winter did run some brutal cold over us... and that kind of weather is very hard on
guitars. Especially acoustics, with all that bare unsealed wood exposed inside, they can
crack and warp and parts can come unglued. Just like people.
The instrument is back with the builder, and I'm still playing my Gibson and enjoying its
journey from brand new brightness to yearling tone (whatever that is). I'm a Gibson
fan, and it hurts me to hear about other peoples' troubles with quality and workmanship.
I try not to act too smug. Because this can happen to any of us, and I've had instruments
get damaged from accidental trauma, and I've had two get stolen.
*shrugs ...I wish her the best in this, and might want to get "Customer Service" and
go reason with the guy if he doesn't treat her right. As in, "excuse me, let me get
Customer Service..."
