-
I don't consider it harsh at all - and believe me, I've considered that possibility.
Unfortunately, my options are rather limited. It was an "as-is" purchase, so while I hoped Gary would buy it back, he has declined. That leaves me with the option of putting some more money into it and hoping that puts it into shape, or simply swallowing what I've spend so far.
In the meantime, I'm trying a few other things to see if I can get it back into shape.
-
09-09-2007 12:09 AM
-
Sorry to hear about the problems youre' having.
What gauge of string are you using? Did you go to a lighter gauge string than what was originally installed?
My suggestion is to completely loosen the truss rod with the string tuned to pitch and let the guitar sit for a few days in a well humified room. It might also help to have the guitar hanging instead of laying flat. Then re-adjust the truss rod. This may take a few iterations. Another thing you can do is put heavier (the heaviest you can get) gauge string to help pull the neck forward. Then once it straightens out, put the actual gauge you want, or just stick with the heavier gauge.
-FunkyE9th
-
goshawk, I am sorry about the trouble you are having with your guitar. I have to agree with the comment about him either fixing or buying back the instrument.
Clearly Stroup guitars are not made by a reputable person, and that is unfortunate. One avenue of pursuit is the better business bureau -- sometimes the pressure of a government agency can help a person/company do the right thing.
-
Sorry guys, but I need to come to Gary Stroups' defense here. If you talk to him on the phone, he will tell you straight up that he doesn't build a "finished" instrument and if you are a perfectionist you need to go somewhere else. He builds his archtops using the Benedetto book for guidance and I seriously doubt any luthier could find a better reference for building this type of instrument. It is totally hand made and tuned carved top and bottom. My guitar looks and feels like a Benedetto! Additionally, it sounds a lot like a Benedetto! Truthfully, I paid an additional $125.00 to take care of some fret problems (probably unique to my arthritic hand conditions) But!! The bottom line is I have a Benedetto type guitar for less than $1200.00
-
FunkyE9th, that's basically what I'm trying right now - but the situation is complicated by a couple of things, including a late-season heat wave with high humidity (well over 60% right now, exceeded 80% at times yesterday).
Also complicating things is the way the guitar was made. It has a very thin neck and a fairly thick fretboard - so, when the humidity is up and the wood swells, the neck can only really move toward the back of the guitar. As you suspected, I did change to lighter gauge strings, which released a lot of the tension on the neck. Then it turned out the (one-way) truss rod was already at the end of its range - can't really be loosened anymore.
Anyway, I've been looking around and the only strings I can find with close to the same tension as the phos-bronze are the D'Addario half-rounds in jazz medium. I can't find them locally, so I've ordered some. With luck, by the time they come in the humidity will be back to reasonable levels. In the future, I'll keep this instrument in the case with some kind of humidipack when not actually playing.
I think, long term, I will need to do the refret. By shaving down the fingerboard, the neck with be able to come up to a straighter position, letting us reset the relief and have some room to adjust the truss rod in the future.
gravyTrain - thanks for the thoughts. Unfortunately, this was an as-is sale, stated clearly in the eBay write up. Because of that , I doubt BBB or anyone else would get involved. Based on the reviews on Harmony-Central, I had expected he'd be more willing to help me out on this, and I'm certainly disappointed that he isn't. But that's why I've made a point of posting here, since I recommended him and and I wanted to make sure everyone was aware that I've had issues since.
-
Wizard, my point here certainly isn't to trash Gary. He is straightforward on the phone, he's made no pretense that this guitar is anything other than it is and I did buy this as an "as-is" instrument. And, as you point out, the pricing is unbelievable for a hand-made archtop.
Originally Posted by wizard3739
On the other hand, this is more than a cosmetic defect. There is a problem with the way the truss rod is installed and it is seriously affecting playability. This may be a completely unusual situation, but (my view, obviously biased since I'm involved) is that Gary could have done more to help me out here.
-
This is exactly why I have stayed away from his guitars. I agree with the earlier poster, that any builder should stand behind his work, no matter the price.
However, on the other hand, there is a reason why other makers charge between $4,000-$20,000 for quality, hand made instruments. The old adage "you get what you pay for", may or may not apply here, but until this situation, Gary has had a good rep.
If he was selling an "as is" instruments with issues, did he say what those issues were? The truss rod thing, if not disclosed, is inaccusable imo. I would think that putting a guitar out there that is defective in it's construction is not a good idea for a guy who has had a solid image, now he doesn't.
-
Goshank,
Stroup might be using one of those dual-action truss rods. It will get tight counter clock-wise and clock-wise. I know my Seagull acoustic has that type of truss rod. I can turn counter clockwise and it will get loose, and then if I keep turning counter clockwise, it will eventually get tighter adding more relief.
-FunkyLast edited by FunkyE9th; 09-09-2007 at 05:25 PM.
-
I hope you get things worked out goshawk, unfortunately things like this take a wonderful event and make it rather disappointing. I don't think Stroup is the only one to have ever turned out a guitar with a bad neck, because I have found quite a few over the years sitting in local guitar shops.
That is where the ability to preview a guitar comes in handy, and Stroup doesn't offer a preview. Therefor buying a guitar as-is without having a clue if he sent you a gem, or a brick with strings -- and that is why I think the BBB would have a go at him. He sent you a guitar that doesn't play properly, and you were acting on 'good faith' that he would send you a playable guitar -- which he did not. Therefor, he is not really keeping his end of the bargain IMHO. I am rooting for you goshawk, and the BBB is free. Also on the stoup guitars website his policy is clearly stated:
Yes, he may have sent it 'as-is', but he is a business and has violated his own policy. Why would he do that?And they are GUARANTEED!
When you order a Stroup guitar, there is no money down. Pictures of the completed guitar will be emailed to you for your approval and then you will make payment for the guitar, case and shipping costs. If you do not like the guitar, you may return it at your expense. When I receive the guitar in good condition, your money will be refunded.
-
11-17-2008, 03:48 PM #35Das Guest
Goshawk, although it's over a year since the last posting on this thread, really sorry to hear of your mishaps. Hope you have found the happy resolution at this stage.
With sincere respects to all concerned, I think to hastily judge a luthier like Gary with such scant information and without hands-on experience could be an error. Also, not wishing to merely state the obvious, but the experience in setting up a guitar, realizing one's own preferences, etc., can take years together to get right.
I have Gary building me a custom 7 stringer at this time. He is an absolute pleasure to deal with. He replies his emails usually in about 30 seconds! In around 2 months I should receive delivery of the guitar. He leaves no detail, down to 0.5 mm of what I ask him for - it's a custom job.
I feel very confident he will come up with the goods. Shall be happy to post pics etc. when it arrives, and, of course, when I'm happy with it. If I'm not, then I shall stand corrected...
This is in no way meant to enter into or encourage any dispute. Love and regards to all.
-
Not to be argumentative, but I do not agree with a couple of things you have said above. This is not "scant information", but a personal experience by someone who has purchased from and spoken to Gary. It is direct experience and contact. As I said last year, Gary has always had a good rep as far as I had ever heard. Originally Posted by Das
Goshawk, although it's over a year since the last posting on this thread, really sorry to hear of your mishaps. Hope you have found the happy resolution at this stage.
With sincere respects to all concerned, I think to hastily judge a luthier like Gary with such scant information and without hands-on experience could be an error. Also, not wishing to merely state the obvious, but the experience in setting up a guitar, realizing one's own preferences, etc., can take years together to get right.
I have Gary building me a custom 7 stringer at this time. He is an absolute pleasure to deal with. He replies his emails usually in about 30 seconds! In around 2 months I should receive delivery of the guitar. He leaves no detail, down to 0.5 mm of what I ask him for - it's a custom job.
I feel very confident he will come up with the goods. Shall be happy to post pics etc. when it arrives, and, of course, when I'm happy with it. If I'm not, then I shall stand corrected...
This is in no way meant to enter into or encourage any dispute. Love and regards to all.
I also disagree about needing years to develop a personal preference and getting a set up correct with a handmade instrument. If you are talking about a rank beginner, maybe, but we all know what feels good to us, and an instrument of this quality should be easy to be set up correctly by a professional.
Gary's personality, and astounding pricing for handmade instruments does not excuse shoddy workmanship should it occur, and what Goshawk describes above seems to qualify for such. I would be very curious to hear how this situation resolved. Since he has not responded to you, we may never know.
I am glad you have had a good experience with Gary and will be keen to hear how you like the 7 string when it arrives. I have a guitar I ordered last February due at the end of the month. Such special builds have the potential to hold much promise or disappointment, depending on the outcome. Good luck with yours.
-
After reading through this which is great info to have, I would never buy an instrument from this guy. I don't care if his guitars are $100.00 the object in this case a guitar by law needs to be fit for the purpose for which it was intended, it is clearly not as is or not. If one had seen the guitar played it and still took it, then it's on the buyer. This was not the case
To my way of thinking this guy is a wood butcher sans any ethics not a luthier. Gauranteed I will remember his name.
-
Hi, all.
Seeing the recent activity, thought I'd pop in and post an update.
First, Das, I'm very glad to hear you're happy with the guitar. The funny thing is, when I originally contact Gary I wanted to have him build me a custom instrument, but at the time he wasn't taking any orders. The whole situation could have worked out very differently.
Second, and very important, let me state clearly that Gary didn't do anything wrong. My guitar was listed as used and the sale was as-is, and those points were always clear. In my view, however, given the circumstances, he could have done something to help me out, and that's where he and I agreed to disagree.
Anyway, all that said, the work my local luthier did has held up. There have been no further problems with backbow and I play the guitar every day. The tone is very good -- people often comment on its sweetness -- and it plays well acoustically and amplified.
I posted this before on a different thread, but here's what it sounds like. The recording quality isn't very good, but it's better than the playing
-
i purchased a used Stroup archtop about 3 months ago. i couldn't be happier. i gig with this guitar every week. My 3 guild archtops are getting lonely hanging on the wall. Gary is no longer building guitars but if he was, i'd have him build me a custom "cats eye" archtop (anyone wanna sell a stroup?). anyway, i just wanted to say Gary builds a quality guitar and i would not hesitate to buy one of his used guitars
Rob
Reply With Quote
Recommandations for Hollowbodies for $600 and under?
Today, 05:20 AM in Guitar, Amps & Gizmos