Diburro looks like does a great job! I might end up sending it there if he does that great of a job. My local luthier Mike Marshall said that they should able to fix it without removing the top... but I'd rather it be done by an expert in repairs like this.
UPS mangled my DV-72!!!
- Thread starter jazzmang
- Start date
... is the answer. I am 13 for 14 with them; the only miss was Coastie's T1 and I assure you that it wasn't my forklift that hit it. Amps up the eastern seaboard, guitars cross-country including two to Europe where the only headache can be country-specific limitations on insurance. the Italian postal system will only accept $600 in insurance coverage. USPS ... it's what's for shipper. :wink: JohnWest R Lee said:
fungusyoung
Senior Member
Another BIG plus one to all the USPS shout-outs. I know they're not perfect, but they've been so much better than UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc. in my experience. And, I've shipped quite a few guitars and amps via USPS... usually Priority, but now with all the rate hikes I've found Parcel post is fine too. Just takes longer, but it's still the safest, most reliable & economical way I've found to ship everything from guitars & amps down to pedals.
In addition to damage, the other guys have a very bad habit of leaving stuff outside no matter how horrible the weather is, etc. It's just inconsiderate & stupid to do that so I always appreciate when the Post Office leaves me a note to schedule a re-delivery or to allow me to go down & pick it up from them.
In addition to damage, the other guys have a very bad habit of leaving stuff outside no matter how horrible the weather is, etc. It's just inconsiderate & stupid to do that so I always appreciate when the Post Office leaves me a note to schedule a re-delivery or to allow me to go down & pick it up from them.
fungusyoung
Senior Member
TonyT said:
I've shipped guitars with pickups in the end pin slot a handful of times. I use bubble wrap like crazy inside the case at that end, and I also make sure I put additional packing material at the bottom of the box (below the case). Too much insulation is impossible.
West R Lee
Venerated Member
fungusyoung said:
Same here, I don't remove the pin, just reinforce the heck out of both sides of it with bubble wrap.
West
marcellis
Senior Member
Was the hardshell case damaged?
This is why I only ship DHL or Fed-Ex.
And I ship in hard shell cases in airline baggage.
I've flown around the world several times without a problem.
That doesn't mean I won't have a problem. But I haven't had
one yet.
I never ship USPS or UPS. Too many horror stories. Fed-Ex or
DHL. And I pay the extra money.
Does the crack on the bottom go through the wood?
Get an appraisal of the cost of repairing it. Get two.
What are the limits of UPS coverage?
It looks repairable to me - if that crack didn't
go all the way through. But I'M VERY SORRY.
This is why I only ship DHL or Fed-Ex.
And I ship in hard shell cases in airline baggage.
I've flown around the world several times without a problem.
That doesn't mean I won't have a problem. But I haven't had
one yet.
I never ship USPS or UPS. Too many horror stories. Fed-Ex or
DHL. And I pay the extra money.
Does the crack on the bottom go through the wood?
Get an appraisal of the cost of repairing it. Get two.
What are the limits of UPS coverage?
It looks repairable to me - if that crack didn't
go all the way through. But I'M VERY SORRY.
jgmaute
Member
MandoSquirrel said:
I agree 100%. I'm about an hour from Randy's. I've seen instruments he put back together that came to him in pieces in a box. He's a great guy and amazing luthier. He also has worked on all of my guitars.
Wood Worker: A Profile of Luthier Randy Wood
If anyone heads this way give me a hollar..jgm
I shipped a guitar that was clearly not cracked when I shipped it UPS, and when it arrived the new owner sent pics to me of the cracked neck. (I got a little nervous when PayPal was holding my money and he was holding the guitar, and it took weeks for PayPal to In this case, UPS finally paid me the value I had it insured for and let me keep the guitar, whereupon I had it repaired. They said "what do we want with a broken guitar?"
I don't know if this is normal procedure, but I'd try to hold out for exactly that deal. You purchased insurance, and you're gonna need all that insurance money to repair the guitar. While its a real pity what they did, that baby can be expertly repaired so it looks as if it never happened
I don't know if this is normal procedure, but I'd try to hold out for exactly that deal. You purchased insurance, and you're gonna need all that insurance money to repair the guitar. While its a real pity what they did, that baby can be expertly repaired so it looks as if it never happened
marcellis
Senior Member
The case was undamaged? No dent?
The bubble-wrap around the box - had it popped or come unraveled?
The outer box was obviously damaged.
Did the guitar have free space inside the case to move around in?
The bubble-wrap around the box - had it popped or come unraveled?
The outer box was obviously damaged.
Did the guitar have free space inside the case to move around in?
Jazzmang:
A good repair person can have the guitar repaired so that it would sound very close to what it was oriiginally. A great repair person can not only do that, but make almost all of the damage visually disappear. The guitar is finished in nitro lacquer, so as long as the cracks are repaired properly, and tightly, it is only a matter of matching the new lacquer to the existing lacquer. The new lacquer will "melt into" the existing lacquer without leaving any marks, which is a real advantage to lacquer.
The tail block would need to be carefully inspected, and if cracked, and depending on how extensively it is cracked, it may be possible to glue it back together, or it may be necessary to replace it (stay away from that if possible). The tail block would need to be inspected and fixed before the soundboard is glued back down. The center seam split is common, and the side repairs may or may not be made more complicated by the state of the tailblock, but side cracks are not difficult repairs in general.
Depending on the skills of the person doing the repairs, this is very doable. Get the best person you can to do the repairs' DV-72s are rare, and very worthy of good repair work.
Kostas
A good repair person can have the guitar repaired so that it would sound very close to what it was oriiginally. A great repair person can not only do that, but make almost all of the damage visually disappear. The guitar is finished in nitro lacquer, so as long as the cracks are repaired properly, and tightly, it is only a matter of matching the new lacquer to the existing lacquer. The new lacquer will "melt into" the existing lacquer without leaving any marks, which is a real advantage to lacquer.
The tail block would need to be carefully inspected, and if cracked, and depending on how extensively it is cracked, it may be possible to glue it back together, or it may be necessary to replace it (stay away from that if possible). The tail block would need to be inspected and fixed before the soundboard is glued back down. The center seam split is common, and the side repairs may or may not be made more complicated by the state of the tailblock, but side cracks are not difficult repairs in general.
Depending on the skills of the person doing the repairs, this is very doable. Get the best person you can to do the repairs' DV-72s are rare, and very worthy of good repair work.
Kostas
I shipped a mandolin from Ohio to California a few months ago. I used USPS and sent it priority mail.I packed it very well.The postal clerk told me that with priority mail, the package would ship in a container with other packages and would remain in that same container till it got to where it was going. Also said that estimated delivery time would be two days. I sure did NOT believe the two day part! Cost me about $47 for priority shipping with insurance and delivery confirmation. I tracked the package. They did attempt delivery two days later-just as they estimated. I was very satisfied. I've shipped a few instruments and have had a few shipped to me. I'm always on pins and needles till they arrive at their destination. I really feel for you and your guitar and hope all works out as best it can for you.
Don.
Don.
Marcellis, the case was undamaged, no dent. Bubble wrap seemed intact.
The guitar was actually pretty tightly compressed with newspaper and bubble wrap inside the case. It doesnt jiggle around at all if you try and move it in there.
kostask, I totally agree with you. I need to figure out who is the authority in repairs like this. Once I have that settled, I just need to wait on UPS to settle the claim and we'll see what happens.
The guitar was actually pretty tightly compressed with newspaper and bubble wrap inside the case. It doesnt jiggle around at all if you try and move it in there.
kostask, I totally agree with you. I need to figure out who is the authority in repairs like this. Once I have that settled, I just need to wait on UPS to settle the claim and we'll see what happens.
jgmaute
Member
jazzmang said:
Jazzmang, if you don't have a quality luthier for this type of work in your immediate area take a road trip down here. You can match it with a good show either at Randy's (Randy Wood's Pickin' Parlor is right next to his store...see events on the main page http://www.randywoodguitars.com/)...or The Savannah Folk Music Society http://www.savannahfolk.org/' . I'm making a leap that you're not interested in shipping it anywhere for repair! So once the file claim dust settles let me know if you plan to come on down. joan
West R Lee
Venerated Member
There are probably several that can do the near perfect repair. I'd be real tempted to settle with UPS for the full amount, insisting the guitar is ruined.
Then maybe my first choice might be the Fender Custom Shop, if you can get them to do it, it might cost the full $2000, but it would be worth it. Our member "Hoboken" had a DV72 on which the neck mysteriously twisted, he was able to get it to the Fender Custom Shop for a full neck replacement, and insists she's as good as new, maybe better.
Hans would be another good person to check with, I'm sure he knows the best in the world.
Our member "Hideglue" might be another man that might be able to fix you up, Hideglue worked at Westerly and now works for what I understand is an outstanding repair shop in the northeast.
We'll get you fixed up somehow Jazzy.
West
Then maybe my first choice might be the Fender Custom Shop, if you can get them to do it, it might cost the full $2000, but it would be worth it. Our member "Hoboken" had a DV72 on which the neck mysteriously twisted, he was able to get it to the Fender Custom Shop for a full neck replacement, and insists she's as good as new, maybe better.
Hans would be another good person to check with, I'm sure he knows the best in the world.
Our member "Hideglue" might be another man that might be able to fix you up, Hideglue worked at Westerly and now works for what I understand is an outstanding repair shop in the northeast.
We'll get you fixed up somehow Jazzy.
West
Yeah, I'm with Westie, get an estimate from the Custom Shop, they'll make it like brand new
dane
Member
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West R Lee said:
For what it’s worth I too agree with West and dreadnut. Check with the custom shop, you may end up with the best guitar you ever owned. It’s worth a shot anyway.dreadnut said:Yeah, I'm with Westie, get an estimate from the Custom Shop, they'll make it like brand new
The custom shop would be the way to go, money allowing. I think they'd be able to give her the TLC she needs.
Maybe if there's any money left over (which I doubt), I'll have them make sure its in tip-top shape all around (fret dress, clean/polish, touchup any dings (theres one kinda rough one on the headstock) and maybe do a neck reset (b/c it kinda needed one, low saddle, decent action).
Maybe if there's any money left over (which I doubt), I'll have them make sure its in tip-top shape all around (fret dress, clean/polish, touchup any dings (theres one kinda rough one on the headstock) and maybe do a neck reset (b/c it kinda needed one, low saddle, decent action).
Oh, man... Such a shame... Good luck getting things squared away, mang. Major bummer. Probably could've been avoided (although might've had other damage) if the endpin had been removed.
I've been using USPS recently and even though they can be slow, I have no complaints (yet). I didn't have any trouble with UPS either over the years.
I've been using USPS recently and even though they can be slow, I have no complaints (yet). I didn't have any trouble with UPS either over the years.