New 2014 Comanche - Odd spot on neck

[CalicoSkies]

I recently bought a new G&L Comanche, and it arrived yesterday. There is a spot on the back of the neck near the headstock that looks odd, and I'm not sure if it's just the grain pattern or if there may be something not right with the neck. Is this something I should be concerned about?

[jmontgomery]

I wouldn't be concerned about it. Looking at the pic it's hard to tell if it's a grain pattern or a tint mishap. I'd lean towards the latter if it doesn't show on front. You could look at it as it making your guitar unique and easy to spot from the back. Or you could send it back and have them make it right. G&L is a great company and I'm sure they want you to be a happy customer.
BTW, how thin is the neck? Have you compared it to the #1 size?

[Elwood]

Something happened there, maybe it sat in a display next to a heater

I would return it .

[JagInTheBag]

Can you feel that under your palm when you slide your hand up and down the neck?

[Fumble fingers]

G&L does have a 10 year warranty so if there ever was a problem it should be no problem ... that said it doesn't look right to me ....... It will be nice to hear what Craig and some of the other's say ...... I wouldn't want it on my neck , but that doesn't mean it won't play right , but being a new guitar I wouldn't like it and will hurt re-sale value later if you ever need to sell it

BTW ... I'm glad you came here

[CalicoSkies]

This is the front of the guitar - It does look to me like the top of the fretboard near the headstock (first fret or two) also has a different tint/grain:

[suave eddie]

I would send it back. You ordered this guitar to your spec--I don't think you asked for a neck like that.

I'm assuming that if you ordered the guitar it was shipped directly from the factory to your dealer. I'm surprised that it passed inspection--it's not like it's a minor anomaly in the wood grain.

[Fumble fingers]

make sure they know it's should be a slim C too , ask questions

[Lefty]

Return it to the dealer! You will never be happy with it

[Salmon]

Definitely return it to the dealer.

Even if you don't care that much about it you will have a hard time finding others willing to accept it if you ever decide to sell it.

[CalicoSkies]

I went back to the store today with the guitar to ask about it. He said it's the natural wood grain and is nothing unusual.. I'm still somewhat skeptical, and as Salmon mentioned, I am concerned that I may have trouble selling the guitar if I ever decide to do that.

[Salmon]

Can you take a larger closeup picture of that area and post it?

[CalicoSkies]

Can you take a larger closeup picture of that area and post it?

Here's one:

[suave eddie]

He said it's the natural wood grain and is nothing unusual.

I don't care if it's "natural wood grain" or not--I still wouldn't accept it that way. You didn't buy a "factory second", you custom ordered a new guitar made to your specs. Warranty issues are supposed to go through the dealer, but if they are unwilling to deal with it you may need to contact the factory yourself. If Craig sees this he may be able to get the ball rolling.

[KenC]

I really don't like the looks of it. It's hard to be sure from the photo, but that "U" shape in the grain on either side of the light spot could indicate an abrupt change in grain orientation. It looks to me like the neck blank came from a very abrupt bend in the tree. The light spot in the finish is right at the bend, and the difference in grain orientation at that spot could have caused the finish to absorb differently. I wouldn't trust the neck's long-term stability. To me, the cosmetic issue is very minor in comparison.

Ken

[Salmon]

The larger picture is so blurry it does not provide the information I was looking for. I brought it into Photoshop and sharpened it a little. It could be something weird in the grain like Ken has described. As far as I can tell this is a piece of wood that never should have passed inspection somewhere along the line depending on the cause. Natural or not it looks like damage and no one would want that. I would return it and insist on it being replaced or receiving a full refund.

[GeorgeB]

On the left side of the large picture one can clearly see a change of orientation of the growth lines, there surely was a kink in the lumber. And it's located at the weakest section of the neck with lots of bend and shear force whereas at the end of the heel it wouldn't have mattered.
I'd return it, it should never have made it through G&L's quality control, even if it had been a Tribute neck, let alone a custom order.

[Fumble fingers]

lets not forget that Craig is out of Town for a couple months , it might be a few days before he can check

[CalicoSkies]

I emailed Chris Robosan at G&L (listed on G&L's support page at http://www.glguitars.com/support/index2.asp) and sent pictures. He replied saying it is a unique wood grain that shouldn't affect playability or stability, but he agrees it looks a bit unsightly. He said he can open an RMA for me so they can have a look and possibly get the neck replaced. I'm nervous about shipping a guitar, but I suppose it had to be shipped to the shop that I ordered it through..

[Fumble fingers]

I think you can mail it directly if you have a RMA ...... I just replaced the neck of my 2000 Comanche , the birdseye turned into crooked eye , I opted to go through my local dealer since they have a great Tech department and they can set up before I pick it up , but I could of mailed it directly to G&L ..... make sure they know you want a slim C

[Salmon]

I think you can mail it directly if you have a RMA ...... I just replaced the neck of my 2000 Comanche , the birdseye turned into crooked eye , I opted to go through my local dealer since they have a great Tech department and they can set up before I pick it up , but I could of mailed it directly to G&L ..... make sure they know you want a slim C

Did you opt to pay for it yourself or did G&L offer to keep it local at their expense honoring the warranty? ...Oh wait....being birdseye it was probably well outside the 90-day warranty.

[Fumble fingers]

14 years old to boot .... no warranty , but I did get to keep the old neck

[CalicoSkies]

...did G&L offer to keep it local at their expense honoring the warranty? ...Oh wait....being birdseye it was probably well outside the 90-day warranty.

I've read that G&L has a 10-year warranty - Where does a 90-day warranty apply? Also, when I picked up my G&L on Saturday, I remember reading somewhere that the shipping costs are up to the customer. I don't remember where I read that though..

[Fumble fingers]

...did G&L offer to keep it local at their expense honoring the warranty? ...Oh wait....being birdseye it was probably well outside the 90-day warranty.

I've read that G&L has a 10-year warranty - Where does a 90-day warranty apply? Also, when I picked up my G&L on Saturday, I remember reading somewhere that the shipping costs are up to the customer. I don't remember where I read that though..

90 days is for Birdseye Maple neck only .... 10 years for everything else ..... my 2000 Comanche had Birdseye maple neck with rosewood , Now has quartersawn neck with rosewood , quartersawn is the most stable neck G&L offers

[suave eddie]

I'm nervous about shipping a guitar, but I suppose it had to be shipped to the shop that I ordered it through..

I may be wrong, but I thought the dealer is to ship the guitar back for warranty work. Also I would not expect you to have to pick up the shipping costs.

[fianoman]

Sorry Calico, I've been pondering this one for a bit before replying. I would insist on replacing the neck. You just paid some serious coins for that piece. I just can get my eye past the unique wood grain/blemish. It would bother me every time I picked it up and I certainly wouldn't buy it had I seen the neck first so it will certainly affect your re-sale.

The Comanche is a cool guitar. Yours should be 100% cool too.

[helle-man]

Sorry Calico, I've been pondering this one for a bit before replying. I would insist on replacing the neck. You just paid some serious coins for that piece. I certainly wouldn't buy it had I seen the neck first so it will certainly affect your re-sale.

I totally agree. I'm surprised that G&L would make a neck out of a blemished piece of wood like that. I'd return it simply because that blemish affects the resale value considerably. You paid good money and deserve better than this.

My 2¢
Will

[CalicoSkies]

I emailed Chris Robosan at G&L (listed on G&L's support page at http://www.glguitars.com/support/index2.asp), and he said they could ship a replacement neck to the dealer where I bought my guitar. The dealer said they could replace the neck on the guitar, so I'm going to go ahead and do that. Seems like less trouble than shipping my guitar back & forth. It's nice of G&L to go ahead and do that without inspecting it in person first, and I'm happy the dealer will be able to install the new neck too.

[Fumble fingers]

you picked a great guitar company !!

[NickHorne]

Calico certainly did! My experiences with G&L have been very positive; great people.
Glad he's headed for a happy ending.

[CalicoSkies]

G&L shipped out a new neck this past Monday (July 14), and it arrived at the store yesterday. Today I brought my Comanche to the store to have them install the new neck. Due to my work schedule & distance from the store, I won't be able to make it back to the store to pick up my guitar until next Saturday, but they should have it done by then. The salesperson at the store showed me the new neck, and it looks good. G&L has been good about this, as has been the store where I bought it from - I should give a shout out to Apple Music Row in Portland, Oregon (http://www.applemusicrow.com/).

[glvourot]

Glad to hear they took care of you, the original neck should never have seen daylight.

[Fumble fingers]

sweet !! .... I would guess someone got a butt-chew over that .....

[fianoman]

Good stuff! Go G&L!

[CalicoSkies]

The guitar store was able to put the new neck on yesterday (I'm happy they were able to get it done so soon). I think the new neck looks better. A few pictures:

[Fumble fingers]

beautiful !! ...... always a happy ending with the G&L's ....... G&L did your neck under warranty way faster than they built my neck customer pay (most business's are the opposite ) ..... they definetly gave a max effort too satisfy the customer

[CalicoSkies]

beautiful !! ...... always a happy ending with the G&L's ....... G&L did your neck under warranty way faster than they built my neck customer pay (most business's are the opposite ) ..... they definetly gave a max effort too satisfy the customer

I agree, G&L was great about this and got it done fairly fast. The salesperson at the guitar store said he was surprised how fast they got the new neck shipped out.

Also, after I ordered the guitar a couple months ago, it arrived at the store after just 3 weeks (the salesperson said it could take up to 8 weeks). G&L definitely seems to be working hard.