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I know I'm supposed to be done buying...
I adore my recently acquired Peerless Monarch 16...
but...
This came up on my radar.
96 Heritage H575.
Reasonable price.
Reputable dealer.
Pics look awesome... except this one.
Might be a finish issue? Could be a crack? Might be nothing??
Help!
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06-03-2016 07:16 PM
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Are you talking about the line up the middle? Could be dust, lighting, grain, ???
The bottom left tuner is at an angle, but I don't see another screw hole (like it has been moved) but there's a smudge below and to the left of the tuner. Oddly it's the bottom right tuner's screw that has the slots mucked up - that's rarely from the factory, but some people take tuners off to clean the guitar, put locking tuners on, etc.
Ask for more pics of the area. Ask, in writing, what's up and keep their response as that is the dealer's representation of the condition which could come in handy if you aren't in agreement when the guitar arrives.Last edited by MaxTwang; 06-03-2016 at 08:01 PM.
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Thanks Max.
Are you seeing what I think I'm seeing?
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It's an odd direction for a break/crack, but I'd ask for better pics just to be sure.
"Are you seeing what I think I'm seeing?"
I'm looking at what appears to be a vertical line in the back of the headstock.Last edited by AlohaJoe; 06-03-2016 at 08:03 PM.
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I agree with AlohaJoe - it's an odd direction for a break/crack, unless that line is the wood splitting with the grain as part of a larger break, I would look at the area at the bottom of the pic and below the pic for the usually headstock break.
The crooked tuner is odd as the pilot holes are usually drilled with a jig before the tuners are installed (at least on mass produced guitars).Last edited by MaxTwang; 06-03-2016 at 08:11 PM.
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I wouldn't buy it.
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Why not?
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You can email the photo to "info @ heritageguitar dot com " and get Heritage's opinion. I emailed them on a issue and Ren called first thing the next morning - outstanding service.
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The top right tuner is also at an angle.
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For that, the middle left and top left tuners are also not at the same angle.
But one has to ask whether that is really important. It's a hand-made guitar. I'd do as Max suggested and send an email to heritage.
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Well, I heard back from Ren.
Almost certainly a crack.
My quest continues...
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Well, Ren has a lot of experience and I respect him. But I also doubt it's a crack. It looks like a reflection actually.
You said it's from a reputable dealer. If in doubt, I'd pass on it though.
The tuning pegs are put on by hand and are never "perfect". They generally are a bit rotated on the bottom so the keys clear the lumber.
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one act could describe both things: fell on tuner(s) and cracked the headstock
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I don't get it. If the dealer is reputable, why not call him and ask him about it? That should clear things up.
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Yeah, contact the dealer. A reputable dealer will shoot you straight on something like a cracked headstock.
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Well, I'm not sure what it is you don't get?
I'm simply doing a little research before making, for me, a major purchase.
Dealer reputation, these days, is based on internet reviews. Something that is pretty easy to manipulate.
Prior to contacting the dealer, I was looking for the opinions of a few of our experienced members.That way, I could make sure I was asking the right questions.
I live in a fairly large city, populated by dozens of instrument stores.
If I called any of them with a tech question, odds are good that I would receive a "looks good to me" opinion.
Gotta cover all the bases.
Edit: Forgot to mention that this is an international purchase.
Originally Posted by Drifter
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I kind of agree with drifter. Doing research is great, but if you ask the seller about it and you are told there are no issues with the headstock, you then have that in writing and you buy it. Either the seller is being honest or he's not. If not you return it and get your money back. Otherwise, you play it for many years with a big smile. Good luck!
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snoskier, just curious. How many guitars have you purchased internationally?
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As further clarification, I recently bought an Aria Pro archtop, from London, England, listed as MIJ, on Reverb.
It was MIK. Reported it to Reverb. Their reaction was, complain to the seller. The sellers reaction was to lowball my counter offer. Reverb... sounds good. Not our problem anymore.
Basically, I got screwed.
Sorry if my recent inquiry seems a little paranoid.
YMMV
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When it comes to big ticket purchases (price is always relative to disposable income) paranoia can sometimes be a good thing. It keeps you aware of things that go bump on the guitar. I hate to spend money on something that I felt weird about and then wind up getting screwed. I was always told that if even after research you don't feel right with the purchase, let it go. The H575 is not that rare of a guitar and you can probably find one that's as good or better.
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Paranoia amplified by Leftyism! Not so many around.
Originally Posted by hot ford coupe
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When you have the slightest doubt, don't.
A knuckle rap test shows up cracks pretty readily.
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Ask another pic on the suspected area.
That does not look like a crack for my eyes but who knows.
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Originally Posted by RonD
Contesting an international purchase is a headache I would not want to deal with. Unless it is someone like Wolfe Guitars I would pass.
Here's a pic of a new Gibson showing mahogany does have some odd figuring that could resemble a crack, I once had a Heritage 150 that had some really wild grain on the back of the headstock..
And here's a pic of a Heritage with the tuners lined up properly, in the pic the upper left looks a little off but they checked out OK with a straight edge.
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RonD, maybe I just don't fully understand the meaning of the word 'reputable'. But even if you don't trust / know the dealer, a conversation with him should give you an invaluable impression. You'll know if you get a "looks good to me" opinion or an honest assessment. Going from there, it's much easier to form an opinion by getting help from experts like Rendal Wall or knowledgable people (or amateurs like me) on an internt forum. It's just the order of how you advance that I don't understand. But I should probably have held my tongue in the first place. Originally Posted by RonD
Now I know it would be an international purchase, I really sympathize with your paranoia.
Another interesting question would be: What if it is a crack? Would that have an impact on the tone / playability / permanent stability of the instrument? Could it be fixed by a good luthier? Maybe the seller just needs to adjust his price substantially. Could be an interesting deal then.
Anyway, good luck on your quest!Last edited by Drifter; 06-09-2016 at 11:22 AM.
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