NS Starfire III - Moderately Dissapointed

[richly harmonic]

Hi Everyone,

I've been in Hawaii for a little over four days, and have just recently opened the Guild Starfire III in the past two days. The action is smooth and finish is immaculate. Nice even neck (with some prepped neck relief).

Acoustically very loud/resonant, and plugged my Vox Amplug AC30 in the sound just "oozes" amazing vintage tones..surf, swing beat, blues, a bit of rockabilly...some early Beatles/Kinks/Beau Brummels no problem.

Unfortunately, there are just a few blemishes or "flaws" that I've happen to notice over the past few days. Near one of the violin holes, along the edge of the hole, there appears to be some "unfinished" paint, such as that there's a small thick "hair-line" area which exposes a little bit of the wood. Not noticeable from a distance, but upon closer examination, is noticeable at certain angles of light.

Also, I know that the binding is suppose to be "ivory white", but my guitar's binding looks a little too "yellow-ish", a little more than the ivory white binding I've seen on other guitars.

Furthermore, on the other f-hole, there two to three some, although very very small (less than 4 mm), noticeable "paint/finish flaws", with a bit of paint "peel/ripple" just under the f-hole edge.

Now I know this may sound very insignificant compared to the amazing play-ability and action of the guitar, but I just can't see accepting even the most minor of finish/paint flaws. I'm paying approximately close to $1100 for this beautiful guitar, only to be a little "put-off" by those flaws or minor blemishes.

Perhaps I'm too perfectionist, but I'm the kind of person that wants to get my "money's worth"....as much as possible.

I could send and return the item (and RB Continental case), back for a refund (minus shipping), but then I only have four more days left of my trip here. I'm afraid that's not enough time to even get an "exchange" Starfire III.


So that leaves me with the very high possibility of calling a part of this trip "mission failed"...but perhaps not a complete failure???

Anyway, if I do end up returning the guitar, I will just have to plan another trip to somewhere else that has a large store that carries Gretsch and Guild. That time, I'd definitely wantt to "see" and "try" in person, before purchasing.

Right now, I'm not sure what to do, but more likely going to return the SFIII.

 

[NEONMOONY]

You bought it from a store in Hawaii?

 

[Guildadelphia]

Everyone has different standards. I really couldn't give you any kind of real opinion unless I could see some pictures of what you are referencing. If you find it that disturbing, you should send it back. That being said, you could be sending back a perfectly fine guitar, one with superior playability and hits everything just right where it counts and regret it later on. As far as how much it cost, at 1,100 it appears to be better in the QC department than many Gibsons costing 2 x as much and then some.

 

[txbumper57]

I know that the Newark Street Starfires that I have seen locally here in Texas have all had Excellent fit and finish to them. Your options are number one- If you like the way the guitar plays, Feels, and sounds, Contact the online service you ordered the guitar from and ask them if they will discount the guitar due to the imperfections in the finish ( I have seen Blem NS Starfire III's going between $800-$1000). Two- If you can't live with a discount, The imperfections, or they decide not to give you a discount, Send it back and try to get them to pay return shipping for sending you a Blemished guitar as new. Three- Find another guitar. I can only assume that you can't get a NS Starfire III where you are from and decided to pick one up while in Hawaii. This leads to your final option. Try to find one locally in Hawaii before you leave to go home and compare it to the one you have. I did a quick search on the Guild Guitars home page and they have 3 Dealers listed in Hawaii as fixing or selling Guild guitars. It is Possible that one of these stores may have one in Stock. I listed the links for you below to the Listed Hawaii Guild Dealers. It couldn't hurt to check with them. I hope this helps.

http://www.hawaiian-ukulele.com/

http://www.coconutgrovemusic.com/

http://www.ukes.com/

 

[richly harmonic]

To answer the previous questions, unfortunately the guitar was bought from Sweetwater (online). This is because I'm currently visiting my folks here in Maui, but had to arrange for Sweetwater to ship in advance in rendezvous my arrival here earlier past week. Also, there are only two major guitar/music shops here on Maui, and I haven't yet seen a Guild electric.

Secondly, I'm afraid (perhaps I shouldn't be) that the Sweetwater representatives won't discount the guitar to me, even if I show them some pics of the blemishes, as they might think or suspect that I did those on purpose. In the case of no resolve with discounting the guitar further, I will just have to have Sweetwater refund me the difference for the guitar and case itself. I will try to have them refund me the shipping for me sending it back to them...we'll see.

This is why I'm making sure first if I should honestly present the case to Sweetwater and tell them the "absolute truth" about the guitars condition?
Or if I should tell a "simple truth" about the guitar, i.e. "ah, well I realized that it just wasn't the guitar I was looking for"?

Anyway...thoughts and decisions to be made very very soon.

 

[txbumper57]

I would tell them the truth that they sent you a guitar that has defects in the finish. Because of this they should be responsible for return shipping. I would definitely call them and ask to speak to a customer service rep. I could see you paying return shipping if you just didn't like the guitar but because of the defects they should be responsible, Unless you purchased the guitar as a Demo. If you purchased it as New then they should pay it.

 

[richly harmonic]

Ok, I'll see to it that I'll address that issue to them, fully awared. Right now, it is 6:53 pm HST, and Sweetwater is in Ohio, which is about 12:53 am CST there, and they are closed on Sundays. I'll send them a precursor email, and give them a follow-up phone call later the following day when they're awake.

It's just a shame, as I find the Starfire III a beautiful and quite sporty instrument! Gosh, I really love the neck, I've never played a "vintage soft-U" neck before. It's so earthy...almost like a cross between a acoustic folk guitar width, but slightly slimmer fit and quick action. Great for intricate finger-style or strumming as well. I'd hate to return the guitar unless is really necessary. :upset:

 

[txbumper57]

Just know that There are plenty of Newark Street Starfire III's out there for sale new. A lot of times you can find them cheaper than $1100 from several different places. Plus the 2015 models are out now with Black as a color option for the same price you paid with the same neck profiles. I would definitely shop around to find what you are looking for in the shape that you want it in. Here is a link to a NAMM video from 2015 on some of the starfire models and colors. You can see the SF3's in the background on the wall.

http://letstalkguild.com/ltg/showth...roduced-at-NAMM-2015&highlight=Green+Starfire

 

[richly harmonic]

txbumper57, I'll definitely reconsider those options. Yes, I've seen the new Black SFIII, very sleek, but IMHO I do prefer the regular cherry stain, as I think it has the right balance between sportiness and earthy/natural look.

Again, thanks for the tip on how to deal with the online reps and what steps to go about it (in case the previous solutions don't work out).

I'm open to either 1) discount the flawed instrument; 2) return the instrument and refund me the guitar & case price plus shipping, if possible.

 

[richly harmonic]

Update: I've just sent a follow-up email to Sweetwater regarding the issue. Hoping for the best. :concern:

 

[NEONMOONY]

Sweetwater doesn't always have the lowest price on an item. When I've spoken to their representatives about that, while trying to whipsaw a better deal, they always bragged that their customer service was better. Now's the time to show it.

 

[fronobulax]

Nothing new here but sometimes a discussion is not complete without my opinion.

Some of the things you mention are legitimate defects but the binding color could be a problem with your expectations. (Originally the NS binding color was selected to match the color you would find on a '60's Starfire if you looked at it today, i.e "faded white". My NS Starfire bass is pretty close to the '67 in binding color although "ivory" is not the first word I would use when describing either color).

If you truly believe the instrument is defective or flawed you should say so. If you return something because you don't like it Sweetwater has an instrument that they can no longer sell as new. If you return it as defective then, assuming they agree with you, then Sweetwater can in turn give Guild feedback about quality control and may even get some kind of compensation from Guild. My sense is that behind your back Sweetwater may call you an excessively picky customer but what you describe sounds like definite flaws that could have been fixed if they had been noticed at the factory.

I sympathize with you buying something brand new and being disappointed because it is flawed, but I also know that the flaws you cited will be insignificant in 3-5 years. But if you know yourself well enough to know that every time you look at the instrument during the next few years you are going to look at the flaws and relive your disappointment then you definitely want to return the instrument and cut your emotional losses now.

 

[Guildadelphia]

Sweetwater will probably be willing to take the guitar back and pick up the shipping in light of the issues. I did notice that Sweetwater does have other Starfire III's in stock and I would bet they would be more than happy to do an exchange for another guitar and I would assume that Sweetwater would really do a seriously close inspection for any flaws prior to shipping the replacement. Based upon the time issues, I wonder if Sweetwater would be willing to pay for your guitar being shipped back to them via overnight express and then overnight a replacement to you. I don't know if where you are would be a problem.

 

[Synchro]

I'd keep it. It's not perfect, but what is?

 

[richly harmonic]

Here's the thing, if Sweetwater is willing to give me a discount or refund me shipping in light of the defective instrument, I'd definitely consider keeping the instrument; it's really a nice playing and lovely sounding guitar.

On the other hand, if they cannot offer with a discount or ultimatum, I would just simply tell them that I'm not longer interested and will return it (instrument value refunded).

 

[richly harmonic]

...Plus, I'm leaving back to China this coming Thursday the 16th. So after tomorrow, dunno how much time that leaves for Sweetwater shipping an exchange instrument? It's either offer-discount or full return of the instrument.

 

[Synchro]

Here's the thing, if Sweetwater is willing to give me a discount or refund me shipping in light of the defective instrument, I'd definitely consider keeping the instrument; it's really a nice playing and lovely sounding guitar.

On the other hand, if they cannot offer with a discount or ultimatum, I would just simply tell them that I'm not longer interested and will return it (instrument value refunded).

Do as you see fit, but considering the challenges of obtaining such an instrument in China, I would suggest that you might well be cheating yourself out of having an instrument that by your own description has amazing play-ability and action. If you got a scratch on it after you bought it, you wouldn't dispose of it, would you? I'd suggest that you ask Sweetwater for an additional discount, but either way, I'd keep it and play it. The flaws you describe are minor, at best. I'd give it a good home and accept it as is.

 

[Sleeko]

Any chance of some pic's? I'm having a hard time visualizing what you are talking about. Thanks and best of luck.

 

[NYWolf]

Any chance of some pic's? I'm having a hard time visualizing what you are talking about. Thanks and best of luck.

The pictures would be hard to reveal it since he said it's only noticeable in certain angles of light. So it would take a very good camera and pro light set up to capture it.. Another frustration after such a disappointment!

 

[Sleeko]

The pictures would be hard to reveal it since he said it's only noticeable in certain angles of light. So it would take a very good camera and pro light set up to capture it.. Another frustration after such a disappointment!

:unconscious: