Problems with my Prospect Repair

[KzooCutaway]

I'm new here, so bear with me. I scored a 1900 Prospect on Craigs list in September. It was basically unplayable. The strings it had were rusty, the action was in outer space somewhere, and the electronics at least made a sound when tapping on the pickups. Since I live in Kalamazoo I went straight to the factory, got a quote, paid a deposit, and left it there. They said it needed a neck reset (that much was obvious), fret job, new nut, electronics looked over, and a setup. I was also told is would be two or three weeks.

 

Well it's been almost three months and their repair guy, Jack, does not return my calls. At first I just let it ride. I'm not calling every day or something. Once every other week at this point. Still no return calls. I went down in person last week and there it was sitting on the bench with the neck reset and some sanding at the heel.

 

Is this how things typically go at factory? There are many old Gibson guys here in town, and one in particular, who would have done this job and had it back to me in 3 weeks, and certainly would return my calls. It seems that Jack is never there, makes his own hours, and works on his own terms (Great gig!). At this rate I would expect to get it back sometime in February, but how would I know if there isn't any communication?

 

Any words for me?

[holyroller]

Wow, theres probally a few old employees in your town!!! Who ranks the highest? I also hate the waiting game but sometimes that's what ya gotta do. If they hadnt started it i would pull it out of there. On the other hand it is the factory so they are filling orders and such. Is this guy the sole repair guy ?wish i could just drive across town to the factory.

[Number8]

I'm new here, so bear with me. I scored a 1900 Prospect on Craigs list in September. It was basically unplayable. The strings it had were rusty, the action was in outer space somewhere, and the electronics at least made a sound when tapping on the pickups. Since I live in Kalamazoo I went straight to the factory, got a quote, paid a deposit, and left it there. They said it needed a neck reset (that much was obvious), fret job, new nut, electronics looked over, and a setup. I was also told is would be two or three weeks.

 

Well it's been almost three months and their repair guy, Jack, does not return my calls. At first I just let it ride. I'm not calling every day or something. Once every other week at this point. Still no return calls. I went down in person last week and there it was sitting on the bench with the neck reset and some sanding at the heel.

 

Is this how things typically go at factory? There are many old Gibson guys here in town, and one in particular, who would have done this job and had it back to me in 3 weeks, and certainly would return my calls. It seems that Jack is never there, makes his own hours, and works on his own terms (Great gig!). At this rate I would expect to get it back sometime in February, but how would I know if there isn't any communication?

 

Any words for me?

 

I know nothing of the hours those guys keep or the circumstances surrounding your guitar, but if I were inclined to make apologies for the guys in the factory, I'd say the following:

 

1) It is hunting season.

 

2) The power seems to have been out for a week in the factory.

 

3) They are probably hustling to meet any orders they promised to be completed before Christmas.

 

Just curious, how would you describe the neck on your Prospect? (Doing my own independent survey.)

[KzooCutaway]

 

I know nothing of the hours those guys keep or the circumstances surrounding your guitar, but if I were inclined to make apologies for the guys in the factory, I'd say the following:

 

1) It is hunting season.

 

2) The power seems to have been out for a week in the factory.

 

3) They are probably hustling to meet any orders they promised to be completed before Christmas.

 

Just curious, how would you describe the neck on your Prospect? (Doing my own independent survey.)

 

Yes I've already heard the first two, and now I'm hearing "He's on vacation for the Holiday". Christmas is coming up so I don't expect to hear anything anytime soon. I was really excited to have it repaired at the factory by the craftsman there, now I'd have a hard time getting anything done there.

[Blunote]

Maybe it's time to have a heart to heart talk with Marv, or Jim, or Ren. Three months is too long to wait on a repair that was estimated to take two or three weeks. They owe you an explanation.

 

If there's a good reason for the delay (i.e. waiting on parts) they should have already told you. If not, then take your guitar in whatever state of repair is to another luthier.

[GuitArtMan]

I won't share my repair horror story with Jack. In my case 3 months would have been quick.

[HANGAR18]

Two weeks seems unrealistic to me. Very unrealistic.

[MrB]

Don't get me started...

 

And I don't want to hold up your job...

 

But I hope they put in the time to finish the Millie I ordered in April 2012 before they work on your repair.

[Buckyrock]

April 2012! wow!

[HANGAR18]

Don't get me started...

 

And I don't want to hold up your job...

 

But I hope they put in the time to finish the Millie I ordered in April 2012 before they work on your repair.

 

What did you order? AAAAA grade quilted Maple?

[MrB]

No, nothing out of the ordinary.

I'll apologize for, and end my rant now.

But if someone reading this lives near K/zoo,

and has a good personal relationship with the craftspeople there,

I would appreciate you contacting me off-forum.

 

Thanks,

Mr B

[tulk1]

Don't get me started...

 

And I don't want to hold up your job...

 

But I hope they put in the time to finish the Millie I ordered in April 2012 before they work on your repair.

You need to contact your dealer. It's their responsibility to ensure your guitar is being built. The factory is the factory. And yes, we do enjoy a certain bit of "special attention", when feasible. But ultimately its' your dealer you need to be pushing.

 

And yeah, April 2012? I'd be pissed big time!!

[MrB]

tulk,

 

You mean the dealer that always tells me to call the factory?

[HANGAR18]

tulk,

 

You mean the dealer that always tells me to call the factory?

 

Something is wrong somewhere. It doesn't take over a year to build a special order.

[tulk1]

tulk,

 

You mean the dealer that always tells me to call the factory?

You need a new dealer. He's got your money, right? I'd be banging down his door, filling his voice mail and email. Totally unacceptable attitude from a dealer.

 

Just a quick note that most here do not know. Guess they will now. On ordering my first custom Heritage I had some issues with a former owner/partner. My dealer called them and read them the riot act for treating his customer like they did. Once that got thru they built my guitar in quick order. Just saying, you may not have the leverage as a user. But the dealer sells and represents them on a daily basis. Sorry to hear yours is not being responsive.

[KzooCutaway]

Ok picked it up Thursday. Ran it through it's paces last night. WOW! GREAT JOB and worth the wait.

 

I'm going to keep this one forever or as long I can keep them from taking it! Pics soon. It's a 1990 Heritage Prospect Standard, serial number starts w/"G". I read recently that Heritage started making these in 1991. Obviously it was earlier than that. Any idea where I find that information?

[peterbright]

Glad you finally got it and that it turned out well.

[brentrocks]

pics?

[skydog]

I'm new here, so bear with me. I scored a 1900 Prospect on Craigs list in September. It was basically unplayable. The strings it had were rusty, the action was in outer space somewhere, and the electronics at least made a sound when tapping on the pickups. Since I live in Kalamazoo I went straight to the factory, got a quote, paid a deposit, and left it there. They said it needed a neck reset (that much was obvious), fret job, new nut, electronics looked over, and a setup. I was also told is would be two or three weeks.

 

Well it's been almost three months and their repair guy, Jack, does not return my calls. At first I just let it ride. I'm not calling every day or something. Once every other week at this point. Still no return calls. I went down in person last week and there it was sitting on the bench with the neck reset and some sanding at the heel.

 

Is this how things typically go at factory? There are many old Gibson guys here in town, and one in particular, who would have done this job and had it back to me in 3 weeks, and certainly would return my calls. It seems that Jack is never there, makes his own hours, and works on his own terms (Great gig!). At this rate I would expect to get it back sometime in February, but how would I know if there isn't any communication?

 

Any words for me?

so it's not a 1900?

[KzooCutaway]

1990

[yoslate]

Ok picked it up Thursday. Ran it through it's paces last night. WOW! GREAT JOB and worth the wait.

 

I'm going to keep this one forever or as long I can keep them from taking it!

 

Really sorry you had to go through all of that, and it's not acceptable business practice. I waited thirteen months for a custom Super Eagle. But like yours, worth the wait. Play it in good health. Congrats!

[holyroller]

So,, when ordering a guitar , what do you have to pay down? Full payment? % down?

[big bob]

I'm gonna have to cry B.S.

pics or it never happened!

[Blunote]

Yeah, the OP's had the guitar two or three days and still no pics.

 

What's with that?

 

[holyroller]

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