Musicians Friend “Open Box Condition 2” - What to Expect?

What did they say when you contacted them?

 

Every instrument is different. They typically list the flaws on the website. If not, call them.

I bought Condition 1 items on several occasions and all have been like new.

 

I bought a Condition 2 (comparable to floor model in store) Epi Thunderbird IV Pro last week. It arrived in near perfect condition. There was a very minor ding at the top of the headstock and another minor ding on the bottom edge of the lower bout near where your forearm would rest. My wife and bandmates didn't even notice until I pointed it out to them. No other flaws in the finish or playability. They're good about describing condition, I'd say.

 

I bought one of the Fender Special Edition Deluxe PJ basses that was condition 2 (blemished). I have no idea what caused them to drop the price by 300, but I am glad to have the bass. Maybe it was due to a small dark layer (thin width, short length) parallel to the grain of the neck. It is a fantastic bass.

 

I've bought a few b stock or blemished or open box stuff from them and the conditions have been all over the place. From clearly used to mint. I don't know how they grade these things but their descriptions are meaningless, IMO.

 

Right. MF customer service is very good and they have an excellent return policy.

The only caveat I found with buying open box items is pricing. If you call them, they can sometimes offer a discount that takes the price of the brand new one down to a few bucks more or even less than the open box. So I would start by calling them for a discount on the new one and if that doesn't work, ask about the open box. The only time I wouldn't do this is if the actual photos of the open box show extremely nice wood choices or a favorable weight is listed.

All in, I believe you have very little risk going with a Condition 2 item.

 

I bought an Ibanez Talman 605 from them as a blem . I don't know if that is the same as an open box but I didn't have a great experience with mine . The bass was really dirty , had scratches on the pickguard from playing hard with a pick and the bass/treble stacked pots were loose . It looked like someone had used it on a tour and not taken care of it at all . I decide to fix what was wrong instead of sending it back , luckily I had a nut for the loose controls and cleaned it all up and re-set it up . I've never received a bass that was supposedly new in that bad a shape . I've had very good success with MF on many other deals but that one was pretty bad . I still have that bass and it's great but I won't trust them for a blem or a second or open box item again .

 

Very nice!

 

ooh...nice! Congrats. So was there any major sign of use that justifies knocking 30% off the price? I bought a condition 3 bass a while back and other than a pretty deep gouge on the front of the bass, it was new. The box was damaged and had a hole in it that went through the box and dinged the front of the bass. The ding was deeper than I had thought, but for the price, it was worth it.

 

My Schechter Studio Stiletto 5 string was open box and was no different than brand spanking new. Came with all the case candy and the OHSC. I got a lower price because it was treated by the seller like it was a demo even though it was never on display. It was never sold to anyone and then returned.
The seller was 'Open Box Music' of Carlsbad, CA. It was my first 'Open Box' purchase through REVERB and it was a pleasant experience with no problems at all. openboxmusic
That was my experience.