Broken head = normal wear?

[darkvoice]

I just had an unbelievable conversation with a rep from Musician's Friend. I purchased a Gibson LP guitar from their Open Box section, Level 3 to be exact. For those of you who are not familiar with their open box gear - there are 3 grades based on amount of wear - Level 1, 2 and 3. I've bought few Level 3 guitars in the past and normally one would receive a L3 instrument with some scratches and dings, basically a slightly used instrument.

The guitar I received this time had broken and repaired head, which is way more damage than I expected. So, I get in touch with a MF rep and he started to convince me that's what a L3 instrument is supposed to be. According to him L3s have "normal wear and tear" and broken head falls under normal tear and that I should not complain as I've got such a nice discount...

To me broken head is way more serious damage than a few dings and scratches, it's certainly not "normal" wear/tear and when sold should be described as such.

What do you think?

UPDATE Feb-1: I talked to another Musician's Friend rep and she approved return as soon as I mentioned broken and repaired headstock, no questions asked. It really depends who you get on the other end - most their reps are great, but some will give you hard time.

Happy end!

 

[pondcaster]

L4 = me returning guitar

 

[mudface]

Yeah that excuse is a whole 'nother level of stupid,.... On a Scale of 1 - 3.... i say that's a level 14.

 

[Peter M]

A broken headstock is structural damage, not "wear & tear".

Musician's Fool?

 

[geezbill]

What is it and how much did you pay? I might want it

 

[CB91710]

Is L1 better condition than L3?
If so, then I guess serious damage would be L3 if they don't have an L4 or anything higher.

But no, except to a few buffoons who seem to be import fanbois, a broken headstock is NOT normal wear and tear.

 

[dc007]

Dang........SMH

 

[Bryansamui]

No No! Not normal wear and tear for a new ( newish ) guitar at all .A head stock break MUST be disclosed.
It would arguably be considered 'normal wear and tear ' at say (for example)100 yrs old at which point more than 50% of that years instruments had head stock repairs.

 

[mjross]

Was this used or was it a return? This just does not make sense to me, but what do I know! Any pics?

 

[rjwilson37]

Normal Wear and Tear for maybe Pete Townsend.

 

[jonithen eff]

Open Box, not used? That means returned within the return window. So you're telling me I can go get a Les Paul, snap the head off, and send that baby back in for a refund? I'm torn between trying to be an ethical customer and the devilish impulse to blow the dust off my gear card and go have some fun.

 

[Leee]

What do you think?

Is there a Level 1 refund?

Conversation with the MFers rep should be brief.

Guitar is 100% unsatisfactory.
Ship it back for a full refund.

If the rep is smart, he’ll follow up with some sort of coupons for your troubles.

 

[mdubya]

or shenanigans.

 

[Renegade]

a MF rep and he started to convince me that's what a L3 instrument is supposed to be. According to him L3s have "normal wear and tear" and broken head falls under normal tear and that I should not complain as I've got such a nice discount...

The rep is an idiot and "You can't fix STUPID"...I agree with Peter M structural damage is not wear and tear.

 

[Juan Tumani]

A broken headstock is structural damage, not "wear & tear".

Musician's Fool?

Musicians Fraud.

 

[mudface]

I don't normally expect a broken headstock, but i do search for one every time i pickup a used LP.

 

[Juan Tumani]

Well, let's put it this way.

When you buy a used car is normal to expect some scratches on the paint. You may need to do some mechanical work too. However, if the front end was crushed in an accident, even if it were repaired the seller must disclose it (at least where I live).

A head on collision is not normal wear and tear on a car (though it does happen) and a broken headstock is not normal wear and tear on a guitar.

 

[Slick Willy]

I have owned a lot of different Gibson guitars. I’ve never broken a headstock. I haven’t bought one either now I think of it. Yet I’ve seen many of them. I always wonder how they got broken? I never put mine in a position to get broken. I would love to hear the stories about how it happened.

 

[Leee]

1. Stupidity
2. Carelessness
3. Bad luck

 

[ThinLizzy]

Just went on their website and found an Epi SG Prophecy Level 3 with a broken headstock. At least they showed pictures of it so there shouldn't be any surprises if you buy it. I would definitely not buy any "scratch and dent" guitar without seeing any photos of damage.

If you like the guitar and you saved a lot of money and can live with the damage, keep it. I have a '74 LP Deluxe that had a headstock break and it is my best playing and sounding LP.