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G+L dropping the ball

cheifitj

cheifitj

Apr 27, 2011
47
6
Superior Colorado
#1
What gives with G+L?

Its been multiple months that I am waiting for G+L to help replace the warped neck on my in warranty bass. They have confirmed that the neck warp does qualify for replacement, but G+L reps keep saying they have no replacement necks available! Not Rosewood or Maple. How do you make a bunch of instruments with bolt on necks and not have any extra parts for damages or replacements. Now they saying its possible I can just send the entire instrument in for replacement instead, which makes no sense and will just cost more for shipping. PLUS I don't have a second bass to use while I wait.

Then I found out they didn't even show at the NAMM show this year!
Are they folding? Will my neck ever get replaced?

Too bad really, I really like everything else about my instrument.

Sorry TB, looking to vent at my frustration with the service I have not been getting from a company that so many have had great success with.

-Jon
 
#2
How old is your bass? If it's an older three bolt attachment, I could understand why a replacement might take awhile. Otherwise, I don't really understand why, but it can, even with the CNC produced necks. I needed a neck replaced in 2007, and it took a couple of months, partly due to the painted headstock I suspect. I also had to send the entire bass back, but at least G&L picked up the tab, and they should cover your shipping if you go through an authorized dealer.

Sure is a cumbersome process. Fender's is better. When my MIA Jazz needed a neck replacement, Fender just sent a new one to the authorized service center. Whole thing took only two weeks, and I got a great setup too.
 
#3
I had the neck replaced on my L-2500 about a year and a half ago. It was not a warranty issue. I had to send them the whole bass. They replaced the neck with a new one with a color-matched headstock. The whole process took about 6 weeks from the time they received the bass to when I got it back.
 
#4
The bass is less than 1 year from purchase date. I still haven't even sent them anything, as they keep saying they have nothing to replace it with.

I have an awesome authorized dealer working on this for me. But it sounds like the G+L folks have been tuff to get a hold of.
 
#6
cheifitj said:
What gives with G+L?

Its been multiple months that I am waiting for G+L to help replace the warped neck on my in warranty bass. They have confirmed that the neck warp does qualify for replacement, but G+L reps keep saying they have no replacement necks available! Not Rosewood or Maple. How do you make a bunch of instruments with bolt on necks and not have any extra parts for damages or replacements. Now they saying its possible I can just send the entire instrument in for replacement instead, which makes no sense and will just cost more for shipping. PLUS I don't have a second bass to use while I wait.

Then I found out they didn't even show at the NAMM show this year!
Are they folding? Will my neck ever get replaced?

Too bad really, I really like everything else about my instrument.

Sorry TB, looking to vent at my frustration with the service I have not been getting from a company that so many have had great success with.

-Jon
Click to expand...

Why are you worried? If you are worried about it, why don't you just get the replacement bass? They are covering the shipping anyway :-)
 
#8
MrWalker said:
Why are you worried? If you are worried about it, why don't you just get the replacement bass? They are covering the shipping anyway :-)
Click to expand...

Well, he did say he doesn't have a backup bass. (Although a $50 pawnshop bass would probably take care of the problem and also work as a backup for the future...but obviously that's not for everyone. :) )
 
#10
snyderz said:
I had a JB-2 neck replaced. Two weeks from my door and back again. So it's you, not them. ;)
Click to expand...

+1




OP - less throwing of public tantrums, more shipping of basses. If you need a backup bass, GC online is loaded with acceptable $79 used basses. Buy one of those, and when you get it, ship G&L your bass.



Are they folding? Will my neck ever get replaced? :rollno::rollno:
 
#11
I had to have the neck replaced on my ASAT a couple of years ago. It probably took just inside of 3 months for it to be completed. My wait was attributed to the fact that this was right after the 3 bolt/6 bolt switchover and they supposedly had to custom make my replacement neck. Also I was only given a standard maple fretboard....not the birdseye that it originally came with. Frustrating? Yes. But Chris Robeson from G&L was a solid guy to work with. Be persistent, patient, & polite and hopefully it will work out for you.
Good luck.
 
#12
snyderz said:
I had a JB-2 neck replaced. Two weeks from my door and back again. So it's you, not them. ;)
Click to expand...

I waited nearly 2 months and much frustration in dealing with customer service for a replacement MFD pickup for my L-1505.

First, they hassled over whether the instrument was covered under warranty (it was). Then they sent the wrong pickup. Then it took two weeks to get back in touch. Then they finally said they would send the right one, but we would have to wait for them to have factory renovations. I begged them to please find a way to send it now - so they sent the pickup to BBE sound in Long Island, and it was installed the next day. Even so, it still has issues with the active circuitry, but I don't use the active circuit.

It's definitely not him. :spit:
 
#13
Obviously each situation is different. I had to ship my new USA SB-1 back to G&L upon receiving it due to an issue with a bad solder/electronics. G&L paid for shipping and it came back 3 weeks later, and better then I originally received it, set up by John Toner to boot.

Saying Fenders process is 'better' then G&L's is apples and oranges IMO. You're talking about a giant company sending one of potentially thousands of MIA jazz necks they have on hand to you vs a tiny shop (in comparison) dealing with a neck issue.

While the turnaround of your Fender may have been faster, I personally wouldn't trade the SB-1 they built for me for any of the Fender P's I've played. For the record, I am a G&L fanboy.
 
#15
I've been to and had a tour of the factory in Fullerton. A lot smaller operation than I anticipated. I can see why it might take a long time to get replacement parts. I would go with swapping the bass.

I currently own 3 USA G&L's and love them. Had several compliments on my L2000 tone just last night.

It sure would be nice if G&L would come up with a licensing agreement with Allparts or someone else to make replacements. Would solve a lot of problems.
 
#17
Flabass said:
It sure would be nice if G&L would come up with a licensing agreement with Allparts or someone else to make replacements. Would solve a lot of problems.
Click to expand...

Thing is, there aren't a lot of problems. G&L ships thousands of guitars every year, and nearly all of the necks are perfect. Those very few that are defective are replaced under warranty. If there's a rash of bad G&L necks out there, it's the best kept secret in the guitar world.
 
#18
cheifitj said:
...but G+L reps keep saying they have no replacement necks available!
Click to expand...

Who is this G&L rep of whom you speak? Does this rep have a name?

How do you make a bunch of instruments with bolt on necks and not have any extra parts for damages or replacements.
Click to expand...

They're a relatively small builder and have very few neck issues. Therefore, it makes business sense to them to make warranty replacement necks as needed.

Now they saying its possible I can just send the entire instrument in for replacement instead, which makes no sense and will just cost more for shipping.
Click to expand...

That's their policy and always has been. It assures you that the replacement neck will fit and work to their specifications. Even though the bodies and necks are CNC roughed, there is still a lot of hand fitment that goes into assembly.

PLUS I don't have a second bass to use while I wait.
Click to expand...

G&L doesn't do loaners. It's not part of the warranty. Surely you can find something used and inexpensive to tide you over, which I believe has already been well-covered.

Then I found out they didn't even show at the NAMM show this year! Are they folding? Will my neck ever get replaced?
Click to expand...

They weren't at NAMM in 2011 either. It's about their business model. It makes more business sense and is a lot more effective for them to thrown their advertising dollars directly at the consumers. Their dealers are a stable lot and selling to the big box stores probably isn't on their radar.

Too bad really, I really like everything else about my instrument.

Sorry TB, looking to vent at my frustration with the service I have not been getting from a company that so many have had great success with.
Click to expand...

All manufacturing companies have policies with regard to the way that warranty issues are handled. The fact that G&L wants the bass at the factory for a neck replacement is their policy, and there are some very good reasons for it.

Warranty procedure for a USA G&L instruments starts with the selling dealer. Occasionally, an issue may get pushed to the factory directly.

Please don't get upset at G&L because their policy requires that they have the bass to repair it. My guess is that G&L is waiting for you to make a decision. It's your bass and no one is forcing you to do anything.

Finally - I don't check in here all that often and I have PMs turned off. This is about as verbose as I will be here on TB. Nothing wrong with TB - it's a fine place. Plus, it looks like you're being steered well by earlier postings on this thread.

Ken...
 
#20
Part of the warranty is that you have to send them your bass. They will build you a new neck with the same specs as the old one. I had to do this on an asat I had that had a 3-bolt neck. It took 6-8 weeks iirc. Just make sure that you clearly request in writing any custom options that you had on the existing neck. Also, if you like your strings, take them off before you ship, those aren't coming back either.

I miss that ASAT. Shouldn't have sold it. Oh well, I still have a sweet Wunkay in the stable.
 

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