Scratch said:
Update: I had hoped Ross the Magic Luthier would have the CV-1 ready by the end of this week. I talked with Ross yesterday, and it is now projected for mid/late next week. Why? He stated he had never seen anything quite like the neck joint of the CV-1. In so many words, he was not complimentary of Guild's attempt to engineer a bolt on neck. Ross has more than 35 years of luthier experience and is highly sought/regarded by Austin/Central Texas musicians. He raves about Guild dove tail joints and considers them among the best in the business. He said, for example, the neck on my Tacoma D40 is among the best he has seen from any production manfacturer. The contemporary series bolt on necks are a great idea without substantive engineering...
Bottom Line: The repair will more than likely run higher than the original estimate of 340.00. Ross is the best there is around these parts and I trust him completely. He has significantly more work to do to make 'The Duke' rock solid. I told him to just do it and I'll request stimulus money... :wink: He also said he's leaning strongly to making it to Arlington in October to meet the 'Guild Guys'...
For what it is worth, at this point, I suggest that you do not take advantage of the eBay CV-1, CV-2 or CD series used guitars that are easily available at bargain prices. These necks are very poorly engineered, not worthy of patent, and will require significant $$ to make them right. I estimate my $899.00 contemporary series bargain will now wind up around 1500.00 before it is up to professional standards. Update next week...
Scratch, I'm sorry to hear that it's going to be very expensive, out of curiosity, what doesn't your luthier like about this design?Once again, pics would be of great help.
On my side, I've been playing my CV-2C for more than a month now, the sound is gettin much, much better, the top resonates more that in the beginning. I and two luthiers checked the joint and the fretboard and they both agree that they're dead straight, the guitar didn't need a fret leveling and just working on the nut I've an action of 2 mm at the 12st fret, she plays like butter.
Honestly, if I didn't hear about this problem on this board I wouldn't have had any dubt on the solidity of the guitar, I agree that the design of the neck joint is very...original but I'm almost convinced that the problems many experienced are a result of a poor setup at the factory that cannot be corrected by the luthiers because the design is original and FMIC didn't release the information they need.
For ebay I'm considering purchasing another Cv-2C, sunburst, because I always wanted that finish, I know I shouldn't waste my money in this period of financial crisis but the GAS attack is pretty strong at the moment...