jgmaute
Member
I was going to wait until I have the actual case in my possession and could post pictures but I might as well start the story now.
The Challenge and the Saga Begins
As anyone who has an old F20 or M20 knows, finding a hardshell case for one is next to impossible. (Even the chipboard cases that they originally came in aren't that great a fit.) I've been using a Taylor gig bag for mine but went in search of a hardshell case. Parlor and 00 cases are too small. Triple 0 or 0M cases are too big. There is a 3/4 case that almost fits, but it's 1/4" too small in the top bout and 1" too short in total length (interior case length is 38", guitar is 39"). I spent hours on case sites, talked to many stores (Elderly really gave it a try, even said they wanted to research it more then called me back unable to find anything) but couldn't find anything.
The "Impossible Find" Path
I remembered reading that Jeff had gotten a GADF20/M20 case and it was a perfect fit. I also remembered he said they were next to impossible to find. That sent me down the impossible find path. Guild dealers told me they couldn't order the case without a guitar. Somewhere along the line I found a GADF20 on CraigsList in the Miami area. The poster wanted $325 or best offer for a GADF20 including case. I jumped on that one right away figuring I could sell the guitar in a gig bag and keep the case. Well, it was already gone (and for less than $325). I called my local luthier, Randy Wood, to see if he had an in with case makers since he custom builds guitars. Randy suggested I call Guild and see who makes the case then call the case builder and see if I could get one from them.
The Call to Guild
I called Guild Customer Service. Before asking who made the cases, I explained that I have a '65 Guild M20, that I've been playing Guilds since 1968 etc. and am looking for a hardshell case for the M20. I also told the guy that the current GAD F/M20 case fits my guitar but local dealers tell me they are unable to order one. He said that didn't seem right and would I hold while he checked something. Of course I held. He came back and said, "We've got them, the part # is XXXXXXXXXX and they're in stock. I don't know why you're hearing they can't be ordered." I asked if I could just order one from them and he said No, it had to be ordered from a dealer or parts distributor. He then suggested Music Parts Guru and gave me the #. I thanked him profusely, hung up and made the next call.
The Call to Music Parts Guru
I called Music Parts Guru which is near O'Hare airport in IL and told my story to Corey. Corey looked up the part number, found it, then asked me to hold while he called Guild to make sure they were in stock. A few minutes later he came back on line to tell me that there is a "warranty hold" on 0065671000 which means that part can only be ordered to replace an original that has a warranty problem. He was unable to order the part. "But wait!!" I said, I just talked with them and was told you could get one for me. Then he asked the question..."Do you have the name of the person you talked to?"...you know the answer...I did not have that name. But I said I'd call Customer Service and hopefully get the same guy.
The Second Call to Guild
I called Guild Customer Service back right away. When a guy answered I told him my name and asked if he was the person I'd just talked to about getting a case for a Guild GADF/M20. He said he wasn't but he was sure he could help me. So...first I asked him for his name then you know the drill. I repeated my story of why I wanted a case, that I talked with someone a little while ago who'd given me the part #, said they were in stock, and suggested I call Parts Guru. Then I related my call to Corey and what he'd found out about the warranty hold. My soon to be new best friend said he'd check on it and would I hold. He came back to tell me Corey was correct, there was a warranty hold and the cases could actually only be ordered by repair centers who were doing warranty work. I tried not to whine but did share my disappointment. Then this wonderful Guild Customer Service guy who knows what good customer service is said he'd release one to Parts Guru. He asked me to tell Corey to call him direct and he'd take care of it. Once again the call ended with me profusely thanking the Guild Customer Service guy (who shall remain nameless for his own protection).
Parts Guru, Call Two
Armed with this info I called Corey back. I gave him the name of the person at Guild (he said that's who he usually deals with there, good sign) and told him he could call and order one. He said he'd do that then call me back once he had details, price, etc.
The Order is Placed!
I got a call back from Corey and he said all was set; he'd ordered a case and they would receive it in about a week then send it to me. (I'd asked about "drop shipping" from Guild...no go on that.) The price was a little over $225...damn that's expensive...but I really wanted the case and after all that went ahead and ordered it. I told Corey there were other folks on LTG who probably would be interested in a case and did he think someone else could try this by starting with Guild. He said he didn't know if it would work twice but he did know they only had 2 or 3 cases in stock and one was coming to me.
are you still reading? I'll take a break then come back later with the next installment...jm
3/23/10...incorrect part # Xed out to prevent problems for others...
The Challenge and the Saga Begins
As anyone who has an old F20 or M20 knows, finding a hardshell case for one is next to impossible. (Even the chipboard cases that they originally came in aren't that great a fit.) I've been using a Taylor gig bag for mine but went in search of a hardshell case. Parlor and 00 cases are too small. Triple 0 or 0M cases are too big. There is a 3/4 case that almost fits, but it's 1/4" too small in the top bout and 1" too short in total length (interior case length is 38", guitar is 39"). I spent hours on case sites, talked to many stores (Elderly really gave it a try, even said they wanted to research it more then called me back unable to find anything) but couldn't find anything.
The "Impossible Find" Path
I remembered reading that Jeff had gotten a GADF20/M20 case and it was a perfect fit. I also remembered he said they were next to impossible to find. That sent me down the impossible find path. Guild dealers told me they couldn't order the case without a guitar. Somewhere along the line I found a GADF20 on CraigsList in the Miami area. The poster wanted $325 or best offer for a GADF20 including case. I jumped on that one right away figuring I could sell the guitar in a gig bag and keep the case. Well, it was already gone (and for less than $325). I called my local luthier, Randy Wood, to see if he had an in with case makers since he custom builds guitars. Randy suggested I call Guild and see who makes the case then call the case builder and see if I could get one from them.
The Call to Guild
I called Guild Customer Service. Before asking who made the cases, I explained that I have a '65 Guild M20, that I've been playing Guilds since 1968 etc. and am looking for a hardshell case for the M20. I also told the guy that the current GAD F/M20 case fits my guitar but local dealers tell me they are unable to order one. He said that didn't seem right and would I hold while he checked something. Of course I held. He came back and said, "We've got them, the part # is XXXXXXXXXX and they're in stock. I don't know why you're hearing they can't be ordered." I asked if I could just order one from them and he said No, it had to be ordered from a dealer or parts distributor. He then suggested Music Parts Guru and gave me the #. I thanked him profusely, hung up and made the next call.
The Call to Music Parts Guru
I called Music Parts Guru which is near O'Hare airport in IL and told my story to Corey. Corey looked up the part number, found it, then asked me to hold while he called Guild to make sure they were in stock. A few minutes later he came back on line to tell me that there is a "warranty hold" on 0065671000 which means that part can only be ordered to replace an original that has a warranty problem. He was unable to order the part. "But wait!!" I said, I just talked with them and was told you could get one for me. Then he asked the question..."Do you have the name of the person you talked to?"...you know the answer...I did not have that name. But I said I'd call Customer Service and hopefully get the same guy.
The Second Call to Guild
I called Guild Customer Service back right away. When a guy answered I told him my name and asked if he was the person I'd just talked to about getting a case for a Guild GADF/M20. He said he wasn't but he was sure he could help me. So...first I asked him for his name then you know the drill. I repeated my story of why I wanted a case, that I talked with someone a little while ago who'd given me the part #, said they were in stock, and suggested I call Parts Guru. Then I related my call to Corey and what he'd found out about the warranty hold. My soon to be new best friend said he'd check on it and would I hold. He came back to tell me Corey was correct, there was a warranty hold and the cases could actually only be ordered by repair centers who were doing warranty work. I tried not to whine but did share my disappointment. Then this wonderful Guild Customer Service guy who knows what good customer service is said he'd release one to Parts Guru. He asked me to tell Corey to call him direct and he'd take care of it. Once again the call ended with me profusely thanking the Guild Customer Service guy (who shall remain nameless for his own protection).
Parts Guru, Call Two
Armed with this info I called Corey back. I gave him the name of the person at Guild (he said that's who he usually deals with there, good sign) and told him he could call and order one. He said he'd do that then call me back once he had details, price, etc.
The Order is Placed!
I got a call back from Corey and he said all was set; he'd ordered a case and they would receive it in about a week then send it to me. (I'd asked about "drop shipping" from Guild...no go on that.) The price was a little over $225...damn that's expensive...but I really wanted the case and after all that went ahead and ordered it. I told Corey there were other folks on LTG who probably would be interested in a case and did he think someone else could try this by starting with Guild. He said he didn't know if it would work twice but he did know they only had 2 or 3 cases in stock and one was coming to me.
are you still reading? I'll take a break then come back later with the next installment...jm
3/23/10...incorrect part # Xed out to prevent problems for others...
