Scratching in my new G&L Legacy (pickguard)

[bertusguitar]

I have just receive a USA Legacy. Everything is ok but the black pickguard that I ordered ( paying extra for it) is full of scratches, over all around the screws. Is it normal in a custom made guitar? I don´t want complain because of this minor problem but it was disappointing. One of the screws is also a little bit loose. The rest of the guitar (body, fretboard, sound etc) is really good.
Anyone has an opinion or a explanation for these minor problems? Is it usual?
Thanks guys.
Greetings

[jonc]

just around the screw holes or more like what you see from a guitar hanging in Guitar Center for a while? in any event if you just bought a new guitar (new in the box?) everything should be as right as possible. and i would let the dealer know what the problem is and go from there. post a pic if you can too. that will help see what's what.

[Craig]

I have just receive a USA Legacy. Everything is ok but the black pickguard that I ordered ( paying extra for it) is full of scratches, over all around the screws. Is it normal in a custom made guitar? I don´t want complain because of this minor problem but it was disappointing. One of the screws is also a little bit loose. The rest of the guitar (body, fretboard, sound etc) is really good.
Anyone has an opinion or a explanation for these minor problems? Is it usual?
Thanks guys.
Greetings

Definitely not normal. Did the pickguard have the protective plastic covering it when you got it? If it came from the
factory, it would have this protective plastic on the pickguard. Did you custom order the guitar from the dealer,
or was it an instock guitar and the dealer replaced the pickguard? I would not consider this a minor problem,
given you paid extra for a (new?) black pickguard.

I suggest you take to the dealer and show him the issue with the pickguard. He should be able to get you
a new replacement one under warranty.

BTW, does it have a serial number metal plate on the back of the headstock? It should if is a recent build (built after 1/2011).
If it does, then it should have come with a Custom Build Specification Sheet showing all features and options of the guitar,
including the type of pickguard.

Hope this helps.

[Michael-GnL-Michael]

From your description it is unclear whether you received a new guitar shipped from a dealer or picked it up in person.

I had the same problem with my black pickguard except I thought the guitar dealer's technician scratched the pickguard when he removed the plastic.

I had not looked closely and discovered the scratches until too much time had passed to bring it up with the store.

I never would have thought it had been done at the factory if I had not read your description.

I cannot determine whether it was done by the dealer or the factory.

In my case I just know it was done before I bought it and I did not do it. The plastic was left on the guitar the whole time it was on display in the store. While I was doing the purchase transaction their tech put on a new set of strings, cleaned it up and removed the bulk of the plastic cover. He left bits around several screws but there were still scratches whether all or just some of the plastic was removed around specific screws. Also, these scratches are not from anyone playing the guitar. They are definitely from using something sharp to remove the plastic around the screws.

[Ledergeist]

For the few seconds it takes to remove a screw and do the job right, I find it silly that folks take a blade and try to trim around the screws. Any "tech" that does that is a rank amateur IMHO....

[Michael-GnL-Michael]

For the few seconds it takes to remove a screw and do the job right, I find it silly that folks take a blade and try to trim around the screws. Any "tech" that does that is a rank amateur IMHO....

Incompetent rank amateur and imbecile is appropriate.

[bertusguitar]

Hi guys, thanks for the responses.
I have checked the guitar and the scratches are in areas with frayed plastic cover. I have taken off the plastic and it looks better. I repeat that for me is a minor problem, and now is better, since I have retired the plastic protection.
The guitar is awesome!!
Thanks everybody

I have just receive a USA Legacy. Everything is ok but the black pickguard that I ordered ( paying extra for it) is full of scratches, over all around the screws. Is it normal in a custom made guitar? I don´t want complain because of this minor problem but it was disappointing. One of the screws is also a little bit loose. The rest of the guitar (body, fretboard, sound etc) is really good.
Anyone has an opinion or a explanation for these minor problems? Is it usual?
Thanks guys.
Greetings

Definitely not normal. Did the pickguard have the protective plaIstic covering it when you got it? If it came from the
factory, it would have this protective plastic on the pickguard. Did you custom order the guitar from the dealer,
or was it an instock guitar and the dealer replaced the pickguard? I would not consider this a minor problem,
given you paid extra for a (new?) black pickguard.

I suggest you take to the dealer and show him the issue with the pickguard. He should be able to get you
a new replacement one under warranty.

BTW, does it have a serial number metal plate on the back of the headstock? It should if is a recent build (built after 1/2011).
If it does, then it should have come with a Custom Build Specification Sheet showing all features and options of the guitar,
including the type of pickguard.

Hope this helps.

[louis cyfer]

From your description it is unclear whether you received a new guitar shipped from a dealer or picked it up in person.

I had the same problem with my black pickguard except I thought the guitar dealer's technician scratched the pickguard when he removed the plastic.

I had not looked closely and discovered the scratches until too much time had passed to bring it up with the store.

I never would have thought it had been done at the factory if I had not read your description.

I cannot determine whether it was done by the dealer or the factory.

In my case I just know it was done before I bought it and I did not do it. The plastic was left on the guitar the whole time it was on display in the store. While I was doing the purchase transaction their tech put on a new set of strings, cleaned it up and removed the bulk of the plastic cover. He left bits around several screws but there were still scratches whether all or just some of the plastic was removed around specific screws. Also, these scratches are not from anyone playing the guitar. They are definitely from using something sharp to remove the plastic around the screws.

if the plastic is left on for a few years, taking it off becomes almost impossible. certainly not without scratches. for a tech to cut around the screws is unheard of. i mean if you just pull the plastic off, it comes off ok, with bits and pieces left under screws. that guy needs to be shot. i am actually suspicious why they would pull the plastic off. maybe something was already wrong. otherwise they should leave it alone or at least ask.

[louis cyfer]

I have just receive a USA Legacy. Everything is ok but the black pickguard that I ordered ( paying extra for it) is full of scratches, over all around the screws. Is it normal in a custom made guitar? I don´t want complain because of this minor problem but it was disappointing. One of the screws is also a little bit loose. The rest of the guitar (body, fretboard, sound etc) is really good.
Anyone has an opinion or a explanation for these minor problems? Is it usual?
Thanks guys.
Greetings

where are you from?

[Michael-GnL-Michael]

...i am actually suspicious why they would pull the plastic off. maybe something was already wrong. otherwise they should leave it alone or at least ask.

They asked me if I wanted it removed when I bought it. I had no idea that, of all people, their supposed specialist would do something like this when removing it. I trusted them to know how to do such a thing properly. I figured why not have them do it while it was being restrung and polished. To me it was like buying a new car and the dealer washing and waxing it. You just expect a car dealer to understand how to wash cars properly and that is not even done by the specially trained mechanics.

I remember the salesman coming out after a few minutes and saying it was taking more time than expected to get all of the plastic from under the screws. I said it was okay to leave some. I could get it. It seems like the tech tried to do a hasty job of removing the plastic and did the unthinkable using a sharp device to get at the plastic around the screws. I'd like to taser the guy at least.

[louis cyfer]

...i am actually suspicious why they would pull the plastic off. maybe something was already wrong. otherwise they should leave it alone or at least ask.

They asked me if I wanted it removed when I bought it. I had no idea that, of all people, their supposed specialist would do something like this when removing it. I trusted them to know how to do such a thing properly. I figured why not have them do it while it was being restrung and polished. To me it was like buying a new car and the dealer washing and waxing it. You just expect a car dealer to understand how to wash cars properly and that is not even done by the specially trained mechanics.

I remember the salesman coming out after a few minutes and saying it was taking more time than expected to get all of the plastic from under the screws. I said it was okay to leave some. I could get it. It seems like the tech tried to do a hasty job of removing the plastic and did the unthinkable using a sharp device to get at the plastic around the screws. I'd like to taser the guy at least.

i see. i think you were right to assume that he should have known how to do it. sometimes you have to take the knobs of and loosen the nuts on the pots. but that does not take long with the right tools. a lesson on quick and dirty tooth removal would have been appropriate. it wasn't even my guitar, and it makes me mad.

[Michael-GnL-Michael]

...a lesson on quick and dirty tooth removal would have been appropriate.