sitka_spruce
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Yes, in matter of lenght, that is true.grantgsc said:
CV-1 - Guild's Newest Best Kept Secret
- Thread starter ajgorman
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zplay
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I'm a little sad this weekend, as I will be shipping out my Bourgeois Slope D to a lucky buyer who hopefully will cherish it. It's just a wonderful guitar that cost me about a grand more than my CV-1C, but has not been played as much since I bought the Guild and will bring in cash to go toward a vacation or other family need. The CV-1C is not a better guitar than the Bourgy, but it's certainly good enough and it's a little more comfortable to hold and has a cutaway for high octave stuff. As others have noted, it has good note separation, good volume, good balance with a big, round treble to carry the melody, good overtones, good sustain and both strums and fingerpicks well and doesn't seem to fight my voice, which can't take much of a battle. I also prefer a nut width bigger than 1 11/16" with more generous string-spacing. The Bourgy and my Lakewood have 1 23/32" nuts which work well for me too, but the CV is very comfortable.
By the way, I'm also a bit bereft today, because my CV is not here, but up the road a ways at the shop of a luthier and guitar tech who I trust. This brings up the one criticism I have about MY guitar(and hopefully not other CVs), namely the terrible setup it came with. The above-mentioned guitar tech last night confirmed my fears - it's in need of a neck reset; came that way from the factory. The Fender/Guild person I took it to first either didn't see it or just didn't want to deal with it. So now, this nice lady who has worked on other guitars for me and is a Martin, not Fender-certified, tech is going to contact Guild. - Wish me luck.
By the way, I'm also a bit bereft today, because my CV is not here, but up the road a ways at the shop of a luthier and guitar tech who I trust. This brings up the one criticism I have about MY guitar(and hopefully not other CVs), namely the terrible setup it came with. The above-mentioned guitar tech last night confirmed my fears - it's in need of a neck reset; came that way from the factory. The Fender/Guild person I took it to first either didn't see it or just didn't want to deal with it. So now, this nice lady who has worked on other guitars for me and is a Martin, not Fender-certified, tech is going to contact Guild. - Wish me luck.
ajgorman
Member
Z,
Sorry to hear that you need to turn loose one of your stable. Never much fun to do unless you have a replacement on the way.
I am surprised to hear about your CV-1 problem. The setup on mine was just right for me from the factory with a nice low action. It's not as low as my Tacoma D-55 was (which was the most perfect I have ever experienced), but very nice. If you bought your guitar new it should be under warranty, and I would contact Guild directly if the local rep didn't do their job. Guild should just replace it. Hope it works out.
Sorry to hear that you need to turn loose one of your stable. Never much fun to do unless you have a replacement on the way.
I am surprised to hear about your CV-1 problem. The setup on mine was just right for me from the factory with a nice low action. It's not as low as my Tacoma D-55 was (which was the most perfect I have ever experienced), but very nice. If you bought your guitar new it should be under warranty, and I would contact Guild directly if the local rep didn't do their job. Guild should just replace it. Hope it works out.
sitka_spruce
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Best of luck, Zplay! I'm sure it will pull through the surgery!
zplay
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Thanks AJ and Sitka!
I'll report back when this thing plays out.
I'll report back when this thing plays out.
You had better contact Guild directly. A non-certified guitar tech could void the warrantee.
If your tech is going to contact them, I guess they can make the decision. With the new technology on the neck attachment setup, I would find it hard to believe that this problem cannot be adjusted by the factory. Perhaps it has slipped or there is some problem with the graphite on the inside. This is new ground for the guitar world. The process is patented by Guild. I'll bet the factory would be interested in having a look at what happened to your guitar. I would think twice about taking to your tech. Go to the folks who know the setup...Guild.
If your tech is going to contact them, I guess they can make the decision. With the new technology on the neck attachment setup, I would find it hard to believe that this problem cannot be adjusted by the factory. Perhaps it has slipped or there is some problem with the graphite on the inside. This is new ground for the guitar world. The process is patented by Guild. I'll bet the factory would be interested in having a look at what happened to your guitar. I would think twice about taking to your tech. Go to the folks who know the setup...Guild.
zplay said:
The setup on My CO 1 wasn't all that hot either, I bought it aftermarket & it cost me some bucks to get it right.
It'll be interestng to me & probaby many others here how Fender/Guild handles your issue.
Unless Guild has provided some education to their service network I'd suspect few in the field know much about the bolt on neck system on the Contemps. By rights a neck reset on a contemporary should be somewhat simpler than a tradtional dovetail.
I guess we're about to find out, huh!!
sitka_spruce
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You guys think if I buy a Contemporary I would have to pay major dough for setup - is that what you're saying?
I don't think that is true that you would spend big bucks on it. My CV-1 was fine, I did lower the strings but that is just knocking down the saddle a bit. I suppose there can be a mistake with any man made product. I recently bought a Rainsong and when I got it home I found that the neck was tilted toward the "e" string. I made a comment about it on my warantee card they contacted me to say they would send another asap. If I found something wrong that was more than an adjustment I would definitly contact the manufacturer.
Oh, I bought the Rainsong to go where I don't want to take my Guilds. I really like it, it's not wood but very functional for running around with.
Oh, I bought the Rainsong to go where I don't want to take my Guilds. I really like it, it's not wood but very functional for running around with.
sitka_spruce said:
Not necessarily, You buy one from Bing & the word is he won't send it out to ya till it's set up right.
Had I bought mine from an authorized Guild dealer the setup probably would have been covered under warranty, Instead I cheaped out & bought an Ebay bargain, even after spending $100+ for a setup it's still a bargain.
zplay
Member
?
Well, from the replies to my post so far, I'm happy to learn that my situation with my CV-1C appears to be uncommon. So, to Sitka I'd say that it does NOT appear you'ld need to expect to have a pricey setup done, should you buy one. And it bears repeating that I like the guitar a lot. But, I gather that it's not uncommon for people to need to lower or have lowered the action at the saddle(and possibly the nut, as with mine) and that's not unusual with most brands of factory(non-custom) guitars. That's no big deal.
Yes, thanks, for the warning. I'm not expecting my tech to take action before e-mailing me with Guild's response. And yes, I probably would not have her do the repair, if it would void the warranty(unless I were to come to the conclusion that the warranty were useless.) I brought it to her to analyze because I trust her and because it seems that Guild/Fender has such a limited service network atleast in my area and those techs that they do have have no familiarity with these models, to judge by the one I intereacted with.
sitka_spruce
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But I guess it will be if I import mine privately from the States, right?Jeff said:
zplay
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zplay said:
Yes, thanks, for the warning. I'm not expecting my tech to take action before e-mailing me with Guild's response. And yes, I probably would not have her do the repair, if it would void the warranty(unless I were to come to the conclusion that the warranty were useless.) I brought it to her to analyze because I trust her and because it seems that Guild/Fender has such a limited service network atleast in my area and those techs that they do have have no familiarity with these models, to judge by the one I intereacted with.[/quote:2cc57]
Update on the situation with my CV-1C and it's neck problem: it took a while for my guitar tech to get through to Guild, in part because of her schedule. However, she got right through to someone in Tacoma today, but didn't find it very illuminating. Evidently, the individual who answered the phone at the 800# given in the owner's manual was not a technician and didn't seem to know much about the neck design. She asked to be put through to a technical person, but was told that "all the lines are busy." Nothing was said about the possibility of my warranty being voided were my tech to work on it, so I'm not sure about that. My options seem to to include a)letting my local tech do the job and paying her directly, while risking my warranty, b)shipping it back to Tacoma and hoping it will be attended to in a reasonable period of time, or c) bringing it to another local authorized Guild/Fender repair center to have their person look at it, decide if it indeed needs a reset and then decide whether he/she can handle the job, given that he/she would almost certainly have never had the chance to do one on a Contemporary yet.
I'm pretty frustrated, but plan to see this through in a rational manner. I'll try to get through to Guild tomorrow myself and then decide. I'm inclined to ship it back, but fear that noone there would take the responsibility to shepherd it through the production line and that instead, it would be put aside for a while. Yes, I guess I'm paranoid.
So, does anyone have any ideas about how to get through to the right person at the plant, or else, have any other suggestions for me.
Much obliged.
sitka_spruce
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zplay said:
Update on the situation with my CV-1C and it's neck problem: it took a while for my guitar tech to get through to Guild, in part because of her schedule. However, she got right through to someone in Tacoma today, but didn't find it very illuminating. Evidently, the individual who answered the phone at the 800# given in the owner's manual was not a technician and didn't seem to know much about the neck design. She asked to be put through to a technical person, but was told that "all the lines are busy." Nothing was said about the possibility of my warranty being voided were my tech to work on it, so I'm not sure about that. My options seem to to include a)letting my local tech do the job and paying her directly, while risking my warranty, b)shipping it back to Tacoma and hoping it will be attended to in a reasonable period of time, or c) bringing it to another local authorized Guild/Fender repair center to have their person look at it, decide if it indeed needs a reset and then decide whether he/she can handle the job, given that he/she would almost certainly have never had the chance to do one on a Contemporary yet.
I'm pretty frustrated, but plan to see this through in a rational manner. I'll try to get through to Guild tomorrow myself and then decide. I'm inclined to ship it back, but fear that noone there would take the responsibility to shepherd it through the production line and that instead, it would be put aside for a while. Yes, I guess I'm paranoid.
So, does anyone have any ideas about how to get through to the right person at the plant, or else, have any other suggestions for me.
Much obliged.[/quote:617b3]
Aren't these necks just screwed onto the guitar? I suppose a simple solution would be getting a new neck and replace the old one - noone would risk voiding anything that way, would they?
I suppose, as in all cases of insurance or warranty, there's an estimate on what will be the most cost efficient way of sorting the problem out: carving on the existing neck or having it replaced. Obviously the least labour intesive alternative is the winner.
ajgorman
Member
Z,
Here is Guild's contact information from the warranty section of the website. I think you'll have better luck here than with the 1 800 number to nowhere. I would call, write, and fax until you get a prompt & satisfactory response.
Guild Guitars
Attn: Consumer Relations Dept.
8860 E. Chaparral Road, Suite 100
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
Telephone: (480) 596-7195
Fax: (480) 367-5262
http://www.guildguitars.com
If that doesn't work then I would send an E-mail to: consumerrelations@fender.com.
If that doesn't work, then it's the consumer groups and better business bureaus until you get serviced properly. They need to understand their reputation is on the line here with a tremendous number of Guild loyalists and many other who peruse this site. I hate to have to get mean, but if that's what it takes, so be it.
I think you will get a response before this has to happen. :mrgreen:
Here is Guild's contact information from the warranty section of the website. I think you'll have better luck here than with the 1 800 number to nowhere. I would call, write, and fax until you get a prompt & satisfactory response.
Guild Guitars
Attn: Consumer Relations Dept.
8860 E. Chaparral Road, Suite 100
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
Telephone: (480) 596-7195
Fax: (480) 367-5262
http://www.guildguitars.com
If that doesn't work then I would send an E-mail to: consumerrelations@fender.com.
If that doesn't work, then it's the consumer groups and better business bureaus until you get serviced properly. They need to understand their reputation is on the line here with a tremendous number of Guild loyalists and many other who peruse this site. I hate to have to get mean, but if that's what it takes, so be it.
I think you will get a response before this has to happen. :mrgreen:
I met the fella responsible for developing the neck on the contemporaries. We spoke in the factory lobby as the no visitors or guests on the production floor policy was explained to me, ...again.
Darned if I can remember his name, he's a young Frenchman & quite proud of his work. Ya might have better luck calling the factory & asking for the French engineer.
I was unable to garner much detail regarding servicing necks on the Contemporaries, however it was intimated there are some finish issues to contend with.
zplay
Member
Guys, thanks for the support and suggestions. Let me respond ....
Sitka, these are just secured with screws and so, a reset should not theoretically be much of a problem. No need to replace the neck, I think; rather, just adjust its angle to the guitar body and redo the saddle.
Thanks AJ. When I looked at those numbers I realized something: I misspoke when I referred to an 800 number; checking back, the phone number in the booklet is the one you gave with an Scottsdale area code! So, the calls must have gone through to the corporate offices in AZ, where of course, there are no techs or luthiers. They must filter all of the calls and run interference for the plants, so that leads to the question of how one gets through to Tacoma? - That's what I'll ask them tomorrow if I get through, though I doubt they'll actually give me a number for the plant.
Jeff, I believe you live in the vicinity out there in WA, right? Any chance you could try to find a number for the Tacoma factory in the local listings? ... Pretty please!!
Sitka, these are just secured with screws and so, a reset should not theoretically be much of a problem. No need to replace the neck, I think; rather, just adjust its angle to the guitar body and redo the saddle.
Thanks AJ. When I looked at those numbers I realized something: I misspoke when I referred to an 800 number; checking back, the phone number in the booklet is the one you gave with an Scottsdale area code! So, the calls must have gone through to the corporate offices in AZ, where of course, there are no techs or luthiers. They must filter all of the calls and run interference for the plants, so that leads to the question of how one gets through to Tacoma? - That's what I'll ask them tomorrow if I get through, though I doubt they'll actually give me a number for the plant.
Jeff, I believe you live in the vicinity out there in WA, right? Any chance you could try to find a number for the Tacoma factory in the local listings? ... Pretty please!!
zplay
Member
Jeff said:
Jeff, If you haven't called him already, don't bother, atleast on my behalf. I very much appreciate it, but I had a couple of decent conversations with people in the Fender chain today and learned that their more expensive warranty shop work is done in Nashville, not Tacoma, for some reason.
Anyway, I'm hoping to avoid that route. The customer relations guy in AZ heard me out about my tale of woe and gave me the name of a tech who works out of a Sam Ash near Philly, who he said had a good rep. I called the Sam Ash store, they put me right in touch with him and again, I felt I was heard. He's willing to look at it next week and if he sees the need for a reset would be willing to do it himself, if he can get Guild/Fender's approval. Mind you, he's not seen any Contemporaries or probably other Tacoma-mades, as Sam Ash doesn't carry them, but who knows if the Fender people in Nashville have either? Anyway, he confided that were the guitar to go to Nashville, I might be MONTHS before I'd see it again.
Soooo ...... my plan is to bring it there this weekend and hope that things will be taken care of there. I'm a little more optomistic at the moment. I'll keep y'all posted.
ajgorman
Member
Z,
I'm glad you made some progress. If that doesn't work to your satisfaction let me know as I was given a couple of other options by a trusted source. If it needs something as serious as a neck reset on a new guitar, then I would think Guild should just replace it (unless she is dear to you). The graphite neck block system and bolt-on neck is new, and it is understandable that Guild would want to establish the problem was not created by the customer. In this case, it should be quite apparent there is a defect or malfunction, and the customer should not have to bear the burden of lack of widespread understanding by some Guild techs of the issues.
We praise the hell out of Guild when they are right, but they also need to know when they have problems and they should go out of their way to resolve them. I love my CV-1, but if it develops your guit's problems I will have a screaming conniption fit until it is resolved. Just my nature. That's a privilege of reaching Geezer status.
I'm glad you made some progress. If that doesn't work to your satisfaction let me know as I was given a couple of other options by a trusted source. If it needs something as serious as a neck reset on a new guitar, then I would think Guild should just replace it (unless she is dear to you). The graphite neck block system and bolt-on neck is new, and it is understandable that Guild would want to establish the problem was not created by the customer. In this case, it should be quite apparent there is a defect or malfunction, and the customer should not have to bear the burden of lack of widespread understanding by some Guild techs of the issues.
We praise the hell out of Guild when they are right, but they also need to know when they have problems and they should go out of their way to resolve them. I love my CV-1, but if it develops your guit's problems I will have a screaming conniption fit until it is resolved. Just my nature. That's a privilege of reaching Geezer status.