Disapointed at ESP

[Big Rich]

ESP quality has really gone to shit. thats why i stick to around the pre black chrome hardware years of production with them and have never had a problem. I think their best years as far as QC were 2000-2005, aside from the glory years when they were kind of hard to find in guitar stores.

Their custom shop lines are wayyy overpriced IMO. for that money id rather have an anderson or suhr or some nice PRS. Kinda shitty of the company to not back up their $5K one off expert attention to detail stuff that takes forever to get made.

 

[MIchbiking]

I've been playing ESP for 20 years, my first was a 92 explorer, when I was 10. and believe me when I say the've gone to shit. I've got 7 of them. Totally comprised quality. But that's my own experience. Even my limited edition iron cross uses suspect parts.

 

[xzyryabx]

Wow, consensus seems to be solidly in ESPs corner so i guess I'm letting my emotions get in the way.
In any case, I'm glad it wasn't one of my guitars and I still love ESPs, but I still would have expected differential treatment for a 5K guitar vs a 500$ one.
He heard back from ESP corporate overnight, so kudos to them, but they pretty much regurgitated their warranty statement.

 

[glip22]

Wow, consensus seems to be solidly in ESPs corner so i guess I'm letting my emotions get in the way.
In any case, I'm glad it wasn't one of my guitars and I still love ESPs, but I still would have expected differential treatment for a 5K guitar vs a 500$ one.
He heard back from ESP corporate overnight, so kudos to them, but they pretty much regurgitated their warranty statement.

I don't think so. Many warranties are to original purchaser. The warranty is what it is wheather it's 500 or 5K. When buying an expensive piece of gear make sure you understand the warranty. If you buy used you will have to pay for any work. Ho wobvious is the neck issue?

 

[xzyryabx]

pretty obvious, twist at the top, hum where the neck meets the body.
Standard ESP 3 piece neck, thin U, maple neck rosewood board.
The tech we took it to suggested nothing short of a re planning and re-fret would do it, if that.
Anybody know of any recommended luthiers in the Boston area?

 

[glip22]

pretty obvious, twist at the top, hum where the neck meets the body.
Standard ESP 3 piece neck, thin U, maple neck rosewood board.
The tech we took it to suggested nothing short of a re planning and re-fret would do it, if that.
Anybody know of any recommended luthiers in the Boston area?

The problem with an unstable neck is that even after spending on a replane/spray and refret it can come back. I had a neck that would only twist when the weather changed in summer. I had it replaced. The difference in cost to repair it and possibly it will come back is not worth it. Best to replace an unstable neck.

 

[rupe]

pretty obvious, twist at the top, hum where the neck meets the body.
Standard ESP 3 piece neck, thin U, maple neck rosewood board.
The tech we took it to suggested nothing short of a re planning and re-fret would do it, if that.
Anybody know of any recommended luthiers in the Boston area?

The problem with an unstable neck is that even after spending on a replane/spray and refret it can come back. I had a neck that would only twist when the weather changed in summer. I had it replaced. The difference in cost to repair it and possibly it will come back is not worth it. Best to replace an unstable neck.

Truth

 

[xzyryabx]

pretty obvious, twist at the top, hum where the neck meets the body.
Standard ESP 3 piece neck, thin U, maple neck rosewood board.
The tech we took it to suggested nothing short of a re planning and re-fret would do it, if that.
Anybody know of any recommended luthiers in the Boston area?

The problem with an unstable neck is that even after spending on a replane/spray and refret it can come back. I had a neck that would only twist when the weather changed in summer. I had it replaced. The difference in cost to repair it and possibly it will come back is not worth it. Best to replace an unstable neck.

Good to know.
Unfortunately his is a neck-through so I guess he's shit out of luck.
Thanks for the input guys, I'll pass on the messages.

 

[Badronald]

$5,000 for a guitar?

Hmmmm. Never had problems like this with my cheap American Stratocasters.

Sorry man. Hope it gets worked out but if that's ESP's policy that's what it is.

 

[6string40]

As much as it sucks you can't expect a company to warranty or spend their money on a guitar that has changed hands...they have no idea what has happened to that guitar or where it's been...

You can't expect a company to know what has happened to a guitar or where it's been even with the original owner. People do stupid shit all the time, whether accidental or intentional. You can have an original owner destroy a perfectly good guitar at any point...or you can have a guitar change hands 10x, but be extremely well cared for by each owner its entire life. In that respect, I'd say a lifetime warranty is pretty damned good, even if it is only for the original owner.

 

[glpg80]

I feel inclined to reply here.

I ordered a custom special ESP MII back in 2008, took 1.5 years for the order and received in hands march of 2010. Neck developed a buldge in the center due to soft wood and the thin custom contour that I had ordered. I called my dealer who then gave me contact information for ESP USA.

I then dealt directly through ESP USA who marshalled all concerns with ESP Japan. They were polite and easy to work with - you pay shipping to get it there and they pay return shipping. I shipped the entire guitar to ESP USA, they inspected the guitar and verified it was a neck defect showing an ever-so-slight bulge. ESP actually said that most players would not notice it but at my descretion they would warrant all repairs involving ESP Japan Custom Shop making another one-off neck with the same serial number.

I agreed, and 4 months later I received the guitar. It is now the most stable of all of my guitars in terms of tuning stability. Was it worth it? Yes. That is the entire reason I purchased new - OldSchoolNJ was the person that recommended I purchase new for that exact reason.

Shit happens - I love my ESP but the warranty is clearly stated - I even received a new hardshell case for the hastle at no extra charge. Also ESP warrants all guitars for the lifetime of ownership through the original owner.

Also the warranty process was painless - they said the guitar should not have left their QC department in that shape - apologizing for the time and hastle.

They do stand behind their products and their customers. They even explained neck care in full detail and how it happens to guitars, making sure no other issues arise. If that is not customer service I do not know what is. I have zero problems purchasing through a dealer. If said friend wanted full warranty coverage, he should have purchased new.

 

[OldSkoolNJ]

Me I am not cornering or siding with ESP because one thing I can not stand is secondary or grey market buyers feeling they are entitled to the same rights as I have as the original/primary buyer.