Cracked guitar on Arrival

[Riles]

I have a question for JB or other guitar techs who can help.

This was supposed to be my "welcome to the Avalon Family" post, but I guess not.

I just purchased a Legacy A32 that I have been patiently waiting for. It arrived today--I excitedly opened the case and find a 2 inch crack on the side of the guitar. The guitar has a Fishman Prefix Pro Blend preamp mounted on the top side and the crack seems to start from one of the corners where it is mounted. Such a bummer.

The store where I bought it from is honorable and will take it back if I want---they are also looking into a shipping claim.

I was looking for some technical guidance:

If the crack is repaired properly, how big of an issue is this with regards to sound, future likelihood of the crack spreading, etc. Future sale value would certainly be affected, but I don't know by how much.

Thanks for any advice.

Riles

[singlereed]

I am sure a crack can be repaired and the guitar can carry on as before, but I would not accept that on a guitar I had purchased - I'd send it back. If you ever wanted to sell it, the crack would always be held against its value, so if I were you, I'd insist on a full refund. Get one direct from Avalon, you'll be glad you did

[JB]

Hi Riles,

Our guitars have strengthening 'twigs' glued across the sides, this helps to stop a crack spreading too far.
If properly fixed it will be fine but as Singlereed mentioned it may affect the secondhand resell value in the future.

JB

[Riles]

Thanks for the response all.

I can get a full refund if I want, so that is not a concern. I would love to just buy a new one direct but it is out of the budget as this was priced as new old stock.

These guitars are just not that popular on this side of the pond so the option of just returning it and replacing with another similar Avalon is tough (although I do have one option and will be able to do an A/B comparison with this Rosewood guitar vs a walnut guitar).

I think the ultimate decision will come down to how much money will be offered for the shipping claim (shop owner is going through that process and said he would pass on that money to me. If the money offered will offset lost value on a future sale--then I will likely keep it---if not, I will probably return it).

Thanks again, Riles

[rocksteady]

I had the same thing happen to me. I took it out of the undamaged shipping box, and the Hiscox case was undamaged, but there was a crack in the rear of the lower bout.

What it looked like is that some one had hit the guitar, or put it in the case with something in the case and tried to close it.
when I called the dealer, Springfield music, they tried to say that it was done by me when I took it out of the case. This was absolutely not true.

I think someone damaged it packing it and knew it but sent it anyway. It was packed too well to have had that type of damage done in shipping.

I guess they figured they could not sell it like that, but if they shipped it they could say that I did it or that it was damaged in shipping. Either way they would come out ahead because if I kept the guitar, they could discount it and still make their money, or they could claim shipping damage and get their full value. Very shady practices. They did offer me a refund though. As I said they were not going to lose money either way

anyway, I kept the guitar after they discounted it by 1/5 the price and had it repaired.

I was never satisfied with the guitar and eventually sold it and got my money back luckily. The repair was very good and the person did not mind it as the playability was so good.

I now have two UNDAMAGED Avalons and do not regret selling the first.

I wish I had just returned it for my money back in the first place and saved my self a lot of wasted time.

[Dr.Dirk]

I can feel your pain - I had the same thing happen to me last year with a McIlroy guitar. It arrived with a 2 inch crack in the soundboard, although the packaging did not look damaged. In my case I think there was too much pressure on the guitar during transit. Some carriers just treat these things like garbage.

Anyway, the dealer took it back and I got a refund, but it was a lot of hassle I do not wish to anybody.

This time I bought directly from Avalon (L25) and the guitar was very well packaged and survived the trip without a ditch

[rocksteady]

Same here.