New F512 - I don't think this is normal

[cpitman]

I just bought a new F512 and I took off the truss rod plate on the headstock to adjust the relief and the channel for the truss rod was packed with something that looked like powdered graphite completely surrounding the nut and on top of that was some sort of dark blue rubbery-like substance. It completely covered the nut so that I could not make any adjustment to the truss rod. On top of that, the instrument came with an allen wrench presumably for truss rod adjustments but it is too short to access the truss rod through the sound hole and isn't even the type of wrench needed for the rod at the headstock. What's going on here? I love this guitar but it looks like some shoddy work here. Anyone else experience this? I bought the guitar new at a Guitar Center in Nashville.

 

[chazmo]

Ouch. Sorry, man. You need to bring that back right away. I'm guessing the blue stuff is probably lock-tite. Definitely a no-no on the truss rod adjustment nut.

Either something bad got through QA at Oxnard, or someone dorked with that guitar before you got it. Probably it was a returned item (I'm guessing). No matter what happened, something's wrong.

 

[cpitman]

I was afraid of that. Thanks.

 

[dreadnut]

Yeah, and why would a brand new guitar need a truss rod adjustment anyway?

 

[chazmo]

Yeah, sorry, cpitman. Maybe GC can give you a price break or something rather than take the return . On the other hand, I'm not sure I'd want the guitar with evidence that someone has messed with the neck/truss-rod

 

[chazmo]

Yeah, and why would a brand new guitar need a truss rod adjustment anyway?

Oh, there are many reasons for that. But, if you mean why would someone put graphite and lock-tite... I can't imagine.

 

[cpitman]

Here is a picture of the truss rod slot in the headstock. I had scraped away some most of the blue substance (Locktite??) and this gray stuff was underneath; the consistency of the material is like a very dense powder almost like packed dirt.

The other thing that irked me is that in the pocket of the guitar case is the typical Guild bag with the warranty card, and other documentation, AND an allen wrench. The wrench, as far as I can tell is totally useless for adjusting the truss rod on either end because it looks to be the wrong tool for it altogether.

 

[wileypickett]

You often find wax residue in the the truss rod cavity from when the guitar was polished, but you can easily brush it off. This looks like putty (if it's soft) or epoxy (if it's hard).

The only Loctite I've ever used is red -- is there a blue version?

 

[cpitman]

You often find wax residue in the the truss rod cavity from when the guitar was polished, but you can easily brush it off. This looks like putty (if it's soft) or epoxy (if it's hard).

The only Loctite I've ever used is red -- is there a blue version?

IDK about the loctite. The gray material could be some sort of dried putty. The question is, why is it there and why is it covering the nut? For a guitar at that price, I would expect better workmanship. This is my first Guild so I'm not as familiar with them as I am with Martin's.

 

[GAD]

You often find wax residue in the the truss rod cavity from when the guitar was polished, but you can easily brush it off. This looks like putty (if it's soft) or epoxy (if it's hard).

The only Loctite I've ever used is red -- is there a blue version?

Yes - permanent and semi permanent. There’s also food-safe and some other options, too.

 

[GGJaguar]

I wonder if it's buffing/polishing compound that wasn't cleaned out? Regardless, that's a QA/QC oversight and is unacceptable especially for a high end guitar. Yikes!

 

[davismanLV]

Wait, you can adjust this guitars truss rod from EITHER end?? I thought it was one end OR the other, not both. USA built have adjustment from the headstock, Asian built from the soundhole. Is this not still true?

 

[cpitman]

Wait, you can adjust this guitars truss rod from EITHER end?? I thought it was one end OR the other, not both. USA built have adjustment from the headstock, Asian built from the soundhole. Is this not still true?

IDK, There is a hole above the logo on the neck block as well as the channel in the headstock. I just assumed that if it has dual truss rods that was how they are adjusted. This is my first Guild, so I am not that familiar with their construction.

 

[davismanLV]

IDK, There is a hole above the logo on the neck block as well as the channel in the headstock. I just assumed that if it has dual truss rods that was how they are adjusted. This is my first Guild, so I am not that familiar with their construction.

Probably a positioning hole for neck alignment during the build. Don't think it's truss rod access.

 

[chazmo]

cpitman, are you trying to fix this yourself? My advice is that, assuming you bought this as a new guitar, you should stop messing with it and return it to the store immediately.

 

[davismanLV]

cpitman, are you trying to fix this yourself? My advice is that, assuming you bought this as a new guitar, you should stop messing with it and return it to the store immediately.

What ^^ he said. Leave it the way you found it, return to the store and have THEM deal with it. The more you monkey with it, the more responsible you become. That's just the way of the world. If it can be fixed and cleaned up, let THEM do it. If the TR doesn't work, let THEM discover that. Better that way!!

 

[cpitman]

What ^^ he said. Leave it the way you found it, return to the store and have THEM deal with it. The more you monkey with it, the more responsible you become. That's just the way of the world. If it can be fixed and cleaned up, let THEM do it. If the TR doesn't work, let THEM discover that. Better that way!!

I agree and am planning to take it back to GC. There is a slight wrinkle that I hope won't be a problem since it doesn't involve the truss rod. I installed a Baggs I-Beam pickup (enlarging the endpin hole was the only modification). I wouldn't think Guild would have a problem with that but...

I am still curious about why they included an Allen wrench.

 

[davismanLV]

It's for the truss rod. They look different these days. The nut is round with an allen wrench hole in the middle I think. The trouble about making changes of any kind, is that Guild has the option to repair or replace. If they choose replace (it's their choice) then they won't because of the modifications. You'll soon find out, and I think they can fix you up.

 

[cpitman]

It's for the truss rod. They look different these days. The nut is round with an allen wrench hole in the middle I think. The trouble about making changes of any kind, is that Guild has the option to repair or replace. If they choose replace (it's their choice) then they won't because of the modifications. You'll soon find out, and I think they can fix you up.

I don't think there is a hole. It looks like a hex nut judging from the picture (above)

 

[davismanLV]

Well, you'd know best as you have it in hand. Let us know what transpires with this whole deal, okay?