Forums

Advice wanted - someone else's guitar

Posted by Don Stachovak on October 21, 2018 at 9:33am in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

I have a purchased CBG that never seemed to play in tune. I've been going over it, and I think I've found the problem. The scale was listed as 25", but from the nut to the 12th fret is 12 3/4". 25 1/2" scale. I can see the builders marks for the bridge and ground wire and he was shooting for a 25" scale. Should I mention this? I've been keeping my pie hole shut about it. I'm not new to guitars or modding. Been playing since I was 11 years old, How would you mention this issue to someone?

You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!

Join Cigar Box Nation

Email me when people reply –
Follow

Replies

  • BrianQ. October 25, 2018 at 10:33pm

    I bought a Uke from Hawaii that was 3/8” outta wack. 

    • Don Stachovak > BrianQ. October 26, 2018 at 2:28pm

      Scale length seems to be a real sticking point on a lot of instruments.

      • BrianQ. > Don Stachovak October 26, 2018 at 2:46pm

        That's why they say measure twice?

  • Don Stachovak October 25, 2018 at 10:44am

    Just an update guys: The builder thanked me, and confessed that he knew something was off but wasn't quite sure where it was. It all worked out fine.

    • Taffy Evans > Don Stachovak October 25, 2018 at 5:24pm

      Well that's good for business and will not cost him an arm and leg to remedy.

      Taff

  • Cause the Blue rat October 21, 2018 at 5:29pm

    Agreed. Tell them. It makes it better on you. And helps a builder in the long run. 

    • Don Stachovak > Cause the Blue rat October 21, 2018 at 7:37pm

      Thanks guys!

  • ChickenboneJohn October 21, 2018 at 1:13pm

    Tell them straight what's wrong with it. On the few occasions there's been a problem with my guitars (maybe 4 or 5 in the course of 1500 guitars), my customer has told me, I've sorted it out and I've learned from the experience. There are a lot of people making and selling guitars who have little practical experience and need the feedback to enable them to better serve their customers. One word of caution though...problem guitars are sometimes made by people who won't be able to rectify the issue - I've had to sort out several cigar box guitars made by other builders when the customer hasn't been able to get satisfaction from the original maker ...it is something that is bound to happen. Be polite, don't get angry but be firm and direct.

    • Taffy Evans > ChickenboneJohn October 21, 2018 at 5:18pm

      Hi, my last words to a customer picking up a guitar just repaired or a new guitar is "let me know if you are not happy with anything at all".  I want to be the first to know.

      i would definitely give the builder the opportunity to put things right. 

      Taff

This reply was deleted.