How To Return A Guitar

Baxter and Jonathan talk about the right and wrong way to return a guitar or get that process started. Sometimes you might have to return something, and we are here to help give you some tips to navigate it.

[crsstephen]

I appreciate all your videos guys. Great start to the day.

[jrdhrpr]

I bought a used Am Pro Tele Deluxe from Guitar Center. I personally cleaned it, oiled the fretboard, did a full setup, and played it in a single show. Unfortunately I found that the Shawbuckers squealed with a very moderate amount of volume/gain. So when I returned it, I like to think that I returned it in much better condition than when I bought it. I feel no guilt even though I used it for a show.

[richc.]

Thanks for the chuckles gents. Have a good day!

[joelstephen]

I’ve never returned a guitar and have purchased a lot and continue to purchase….. which is probably dumb but whatever. I’ve found that if you buy from guys that have a passion for the business then you get a good result. That’s why I’ve quickly grown fond of You guys.

[ricksrealpitbbq]

Your advice is universal. I’m self employed and almost 100% of the time contracts are mutually beneficial when you treat others with respect and honesty. And like you said it doesn’t take long to know when someone is trying to pull a fast one on you.

[SeanAllocca]

Please give us the KTR vs My Little Klony video.

[brrblack]

I've done this many times at GC. Buy a used guitar at a far off GC and return it to your local GC. Usually returned because the neck is F'kd, every thing else I can deal with.

[keestoft]

That was in all ways informative, educational, helpful and delightfully strange. Thanks guys Ps, re fret sprout, imho ALL solid acoustic guitars should be sold in a hard case, even if you don't humidify (you should) if it's left in a hard case it'll mostly be ok, gig bags are porous, beware and get a hard case ASAP.

[gkott]

I've returned two guitars which were both purchased online during the pandemic. One of which was sold as new, and was absolutely beat up when it arrived. Pick scratches all over, dings, scratches on the back of neck. It was US PRS, so wanting it to be perfect was the expectation. The shop took the return no issues due, as they sold it as new and it obviously was not. The other I returned was terrible factory flaws. Neck twist, probably 15 paint defects including drips... i won't even call out the brand because it's not typical. Buying in person is different. I get to see the actual guitar and play it. Buying online was the gamble... some sellers are great some are not.

[cgmoog]

Pink pedal for the Pink guitar hanging between Baxter and Jonathan.

[davedavid]

I just noticed from Jonathans shirt, that Casinos initials are the opposite of Guitar Center

[duffy]

Please make a video for the pedal. As for returning guitars that is what has made GC and Sweetwater string competitors with their ability to churn.

[burrus]

Never had to but this is good info thanks guys!

[garrysimmons]

I returned an Ibanez EHB-1500 to GC for a variety of reasons including it was a multi-time customer return and was missing all the accessories (tools, strap locks, etc). I didn't care for the wider string spacing (18mm vs 16.5mm), wider neck, and the mid-control on the EQ was broken. Didn't care for the locking Neutrik connector (PITA to remove). Since it was GC, it was a simple matter of just going back to the store (15 min drive) and get my money back.

[msspi]

I’ve not returned a guitar, but I did get a deal on two guitars that had been returned, one from Musicians Friend, one from Sweetwater. Sweetwater was really great to deal with, they had the reason the first guy returned it and reminded me of their warranty. It’s a really great guitar and a good experience. I’ve also worked with a local guitar shop that had a luthier on staff who solved some problems with a guitar I bought so I didn’t have to return it. It’s all about being a good human. Even though I’m not a fan of pink. Love your posts.

[dejadejayoutube]

i aint a pedal guy either Baxter, ...but goddamn you gotta give it to em; the pun and wordplay game of pedal makers is so on point:)👏

[AnkurWow]

I’ve definitely returned a lot of guitars. An American Pro II dark night Strat because it had way more 60-cycle hum than my other Strats; a Suhr S-style because the high E string didn’t cut through when played or bent (a guitar resonance thing, and I did try adjusting the pickup heights); and some others because I didn’t like the neck or couldn’t bond with them. When you’ve played some great guitars, it makes you pickier. All of these aforementioned ones were ordered online.

[rikkousa]

I returned a 2017 Fender Malaysian Blackwood Tele from their Rare Wood series. They made 300, it arrived in perfect condition. Within 20 days, it developed a bubble in the finish.I had photos before and after. They it can happen when moisture or gas is release when the guitar has not completely cured. They gave me a credit equal to the price I paid for the guitar. Unfortunately, Fender sold out their inventory as they finishe the limited run. I took a 59 Strat AVRI and later bought a replacement Malaysian Tele. Fender did not push back on the return. I wish I had use the credit against a CS guitar.:)

[Scaredycat-dad]

I had to return a Gibson J185 EC rosewood burst. The guitar fit me perfectly and it was beautiful to look at but it was just dead. It had gotten roughed up in shipping the case was scuffed up, one of the hinges looked like it was starting to open and the action was really high but I swear I have electric guitars that are more resonant than this guitar was. I ended up getting a Taylor 324CE BE and I love this guitar. They were roughly the same price. I feel bad when I have to do this. That was my third time returning something but I’ve always been happy with the second guitar that I got.

[baileywatts]

Only time I had considered returning a guitar was when the bridge was busted, saddles broken and retaining wire snapped. I contacted the seller on reverb, and I got a replacement bridge sent to me next day and it was all good.