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Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | Well, the 1718 just showed up today. I bought it under the impression it was pristine except for the preamp. The outer trim of the preamp (op24) was broken on two ajacent sides. I thought it would be an easy fix, so I bought it. It gets here, Fedex, and I cary it into the house, set it down and hear a rattle. Opening the box and then the case, I find that the preamp has broken out of the shell, and has been bouncing around inside the body, from Michigan to Florida. All the top bracing seems to be intact, but there is, what some would call a finish crack next to the bridge, low E side, about 2 inches long. It's one of those that you have to have the right light to show up.
I contacted the seller, sent him pictures of the damage, and he swears the crack wasn't there when it left, leading me to beleive it was from the preamp. Now the guitar other than that is nice. The neck is dead straight, and it sounds like a dream. I can fix the preamp problem with a little labor and I could live with the crack. I guess I have wanted one of these so bad that I really hate to part with it. The seller is going to contact Fedex on Monday, but I don't know what they are going to do (it was insured) or how long it will take. I suggested that the seller either take back the guitar and refund full amount or let me deal with the damage and give me a partial refund. Any thoughts as to what I should do, or has anyone had any experience with insurance claims |
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Posts: 1300
Location: Madison, Wisconsin | Jim,
My Longneck arrived in a similar fashion. It was described as bring in perfect condition. When I opened the case, the battery compartment had been broken by sliding around a little too much in the case and there was a very small ding in the top. I thought about contacting the seller and filing a claim but all in all, the issues weren't all that bad. Take some pictures and send them to the customer service department and see what your options are. I, like you, had been waiting for so long to get the guitar that I decided to keep it and move on. I'm not a collector, just a player and I'm sure that in a years time there will be more than one ding in the top. I love the guitar and it sounds absolutely incredible!
By the way, my CL has a small crack near the bridge too and it hasn't made any difference what so ever in the sound. I'm the only one that has ever noticed it. |
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Posts: 1126
Location: Omaha, NE | Not to be a wet blanket here, but I don't see the basis for a claim to FedEx. Buyer and seller agree that there was a defect on the pre-amp mounting prior to shipment, right? Under those circumstances, I don't see how you could in good faith make a claim for shipping damage.
My advice to you is to insist on a full refund from the seller. He aone was in a position to evaluate the nature of the pre-amp mounting problem prior to shipment.
Just my $0.02 |
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Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | Question for you Jim: If there wasn't a little finish crack, would you keep it?
That crack is something of a "design flaw"...sortof. They used to glue the bridge to the finished top and the top would expand and contract with environmental changes at a different rate than the bridge/finish. It was not an uncommon problem, and with new guitars they skim the finish off the top BEFORE they glue the bridge down. (It's so cool to take the tour and learn this sort of stuff!)
So it's entirely possible that with environmental changes that unavoidably take place during the shipping process...that little finish crack appeared.
You can do something about the Op24 like get another one or even get an Op24C from the factory...or an Optima (I get carried away). And there's probably someone here who's experienced at making these cracks disappear. Just some thoughts. It seems like a shame to let such a great acquisition be spoiled by problems that can be handled. When you're in this club it's a lot easier to handle these things. John <>{ |
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Posts: 2804
Location: ranson,wva | tony calman is the man to talk to about advice on finnish cracks..mwoody has done a few too, ive fixed several but theys not pretty..jason |
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Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | Thanks guys, Now that my mind has settled and I have gotten over the initial shock, I have decided to keep it no matter what happens. Actually, the crack is much less pronounced now that the guitar has been in an airconditioned environment overnight. I can repair the preamp, and if it doesn't suit me after that, I will get another amp from O. Omaha, you are 100% correct. As far as I can figure, the shipping carrier is not the problem here. I think I am going to lick my wounds, and go on with my life. Actually, I kind of like the challenge of repairing the old girl.
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Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | That's part of our "hobby" around here. She's a beauty.
John <>{ |
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March 2006
Posts: 1634
Location: Chehalis, Washington | She's gorgeous - the spitting image of mine.
I was playing my 1718 yesterday at our bakery booth at a farmers market (yes, I was bored) and had a couple people walk up and make comments about what a beautiful guitar I had...not to bad for 20+years old! (or the guitar either for that matter!)
Words of advice - if you decide to upgrade the preamp, go with the Optima. I have two OP-24's and an Optima, and without a doubt the Optima is a far superior sound output to anything else I've played. |
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Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | It's probably best that the guitar is with someone who will appreciate it and take care of it and, most of all, play it. |
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June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | Originally posted by Mark in Boise:
It's probably best that the guitar is with someone who will appreciate it and take care of it and, most of all, play it. Yeah, it would seem my LX is going to be "sitting out" for a while. |
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June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | BTW, is there anyone on the site that I could talk to about ordering a trim piece for the op24 or possibly the optima amp? |
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November 2002
Posts: 1300
Location: Madison, Wisconsin | 1-860-379-7575 John Budny at Customer Service should be able to help you. |
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June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | Thanks Willard, I'll give him a call on Monday. I sent an email to Al to see if he could help in any way. I didn't know if Ovation would deal with the peons or if you had to go through a dealer. |
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Posts: 659
Location: Hiram, Georgia | Congrats Jim, glad you decided to settle in! |
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June 2004
Posts: 580
Location: NW NJ | You won't ever look back Jim - the 1718's and 1758's and AMAZING instruments. My 1718 gets played the most ... then the 2080 ... then the 1778T ... then ... oh well, they all get played! :D |
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June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | WOW, after I contacted the seller, he was as blown away about the damage as I was. Long story short, I just received a $130.00 refund in my paypal account from him. I also contacted John Budny, and he is looking for the parts I need. Now I feel better about the whole human race thing. It's nice to know there are honest people out there willing to give and not just take!
:D God is good! :D |
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March 2006
Posts: 1634
Location: Chehalis, Washington | Awesome, man! It's always great to see God's faithfullness in action.
Great guitar, and now you can fix it up just the way you want, no sweat! |
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June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | I guess I need to change the title of this post! |
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I'm a little sick right now (sorry, long post)
