GuitarFetish

Once a GFS Fan Boy... But No Longer

I recently had a bad experience with Guitar Fetish that has completely turned me off. I bought a clearance/blemished/discounted guitar... they shipped me the wrong guitar. I asked for them to ship the right one, which they could not do due to it being already sold (bait and switch maybe?). They could have cross-shipped me a replacement new unblemished one to save a customer, which would have cost them a minimal amount of money. I gave them some other options; 1) to either further discount the wrong guitar they shipped me and I would keep it OR 2) send me a neck and a pick guard that resembled the guitar I originally ordered (they sell necks and pickguards as separate items, surely they could have done this). Their only solution was for me to ship the wrong guitar back and they would refund my full costs. They pretty much came across as 'too bad', 'so sad', 'oh well', tough $h! T. It is as if they didn't really care about making me happy as a customer or appreciating MY inconvenience. Sure, I could have (and would have) kept the wrong guitar they shipped me, but I didnt like it enough for the price I paid compared to the one I ordered and expected to receive. Could I have been shipped the wrong guitar intentionally with hopes Id keep it? There were so many things wrong with this experience that they could have done something to make it seem like they would go the extra mile to make my bad experience a good one beyond the scripted hollow apologies that came from their customer service reps (perhaps a 25% off coupon on any future purchase, credited me for additional merchandise, a call from the president of the company apologizing, sent me a lousy T-Shirt or button down Guitar Fetish shirtsomething/anything), but for some reason they chose not to. This could have been an easy fix for their mistake (their mistakeNOT MINE), but I had to pay the price and spend my valuable time E-Mailing them back-and-forth on a solution, and re-packaging the guitar for return shipment and getting the guitar picked up by FedEx. Their guitars have value to them, but apparently my time, past purchases and aggravation this caused means nothing to them. Simply, all they had to do from the start was ship me the correct guitar in the first placehow difficult is that? Mistakes do happen, but this is where their customer service department should have picked it up and really shined, but didnt. And, to add fuel to the fire, it took 3 business days after they received my return for my money to be refunded. This should have been almost instant after they received the wrong guitar they shipped me back in their possession. This was not a standard return. So, money in the wrong guitar has been tied up for over two weeks (I should have went with Hard Luck Kings for a similar price). I really question their customer service and their desire to do a right thing. Not sure why they chose the position they did. I own five Xaviere guitars and one Slick and purchase frequently. My next guitar(s) will not be from Guitar Fetish. I can find comparable guitars and parts elsewhere (HLK, Agile, Samick/Greg Bennett, Jay Turser, Dragonfire, Stewmac, Allparts, Warmoth, etc., etc., etc.). Once a GFS Fan Boy... But No Longer.

I've been buying from GF for over a decade. They are the Harbor Freight of guitar parts. Lately, I've seen their onsite descriptions, quality control and customer service deteriorate. I just recieved an unfinished body with binding torn off. The description was "hese are "In Production" factory products so they are assembled and ready for your final finishing. You'll need to do all the TLC stuff stuff- sanding, grain filling, final finishing." It did not state that I would have to replace binding. I called customer service and got this reply. "We have a big huge disclaimer on that page that tells our customers all about the status of these parts. These are final sale items, as it says. You can source binding from several different on-line vendors like Amazon and Stew-Mac." There was no disclaimer. Not a company I will do further business with.

I listened to the hype and got burned buying junk dry splitting necks because their hyping their products! It may look good on the outside but NO GOOD! I wish I could show pictures. I bought several Abalone inlay necks for Stratocaster and Telecasters both are dry bleached necks that split when screws install! Unfortunately listened to their spew about elbow grease on their junk build yourself Hollow body kits but I found beautiful assembled guitars on eBay for LESS $$than guitar fetishes price where you have to assemble it! After grinding and filing the neck down there's a huge gap and after trying to get it to fit over a month they just said they DON'T accept returns! I have 2 junk necks that aren't going to work and another Hollowbody guitar that is basically firewood! I deleted their website from my home screen and planned on building new guitars every month but not now!

I placed an order for 2 guitar cases and a bridge. The one case had many cracks in it from the rivets put in to attach the latches and the other looked as if a 2 year old glued the cloth on it glue all over the fabric i had to drive 2 hours to send them back since my town had no fed ex i just got my replacements last night the same with the one case cracks in it the other was a little better only one sloppy glue spot but the glue is still wet to like there using wood glue for the cloth instead of a spray glue. First and last time i order from them the place is a joke no quality control i am just glad i didn't order a guitar or parts to build one like i planned since they cant seem to even send me a cases thats not junk id hate to see a guitar body or neck from them so now i am out over 200 bucks and i still have junk to show for it thanks for nothing guitarfetish.com your products are crap after sending me junk the first time you would think someone would of checked the second ones sent to me the first time they tried to blame FedEx but you could clearly see it was already like that not sue whats up with that place but i hope they get what they deserve and go out of business

I have read reviews of people having hassles getting replacement/exchange parts from guitar fetish.

I live in Australia and just recently orderd some guitar necks that had pearl & abalone, on the head stock. When they arrived the pearl one was a shocker!
I contacted Guitar fetish and explained my disappointment, I received a reply within 24 hrs given the time frame difference, They offered me some reasonable solutions but not what I wanted. I put to them what I thought was a resonable solution to solve this matter. My reply from them was very positive and they went with my solution.

I do not think GFS is a unreasonable company - what has happened to other people, seems odd - may be they did not follow due process to have there faulty goods replaced - don't know.

Hope this helps. Regards
JT

I bought what was marketed as a Floyd Rose replacement Tremolo arm. Received it a week later and it didn't fit my 1998 Jackson King V Floyd Rose tremolo. Contacted guitarfetish about getting a return shipping label as the product was mis-marketed. They said I would have to pay the shipping to send it back, even though this is their problem. So I can spend a total of $6 in shipping to get refunded $5. Lousy customer service and an overall time waster. Look somewhere else for parts. Odds are, they'll send you parts that won't fit your guitar.

As a longtime 'Custom' Guitar' builder I was very pleased to find several months back Guitar Fetish on line! I have only purchased a variety of Pickups and hardware from these folks, and have only good things to say about the quality, and quick shipping of my orders. So far have not needed their customer service, but have had some technical questions that they answered promptly and accurately!
Their prices are almost impossible to beat especially in the same quality range! They have added $$ and customers to my business!

I purchased an "Anvil" style flight case for my guitar from Guitar Fetish. I was so impressed I went back and bought one in each color. They were not quite "Anvil" quality but they were extremely close and for $99... which is less than what a cardboard case would cost. I bought three flight cases for the price of one.
Their guitar PARTS have been hit and miss. The hardware seems pretty OK but some of their wood work leaves a bit to be desired. Not bad... just not first class.
I purchased a mahog strat body that had less than wonderful glue joints. With a bit of filler and a coat of paint I believe it can be used even though my intention was to tung oil it and leave it otherwise unfinished.
The pre-finished neck I purchased had 9mm tuner holes and I needed 10mm. Boring the holes out without chipping the finish was a trick but I believe I got it done. It had better than mediocre fret work and was straight but still inexpensive. (JUST like they say on their web sight) The next neck I get from them will be their PREMIUM neck which is still cheap as poop.
If you want PRS quality then move along but I loves me some cheap guitars sometimes and Guitar Fetish provides.

I have been playing in Southwest Florida for years. Definitely takes its toll on equipment.
To play a $2000 guitar on the beach is just stupid in my eyes. Guitarfetish has been a God send for me. I have been playing a tele semi hollow body with 2 humbuckers with a solid maple neck. Once my partner set it up for me I was amazed! DRUM ROLL PLEASE!
$179.00 + $50.00 FOR A HARDSHELL CASE Playing through an rp255 and I get more compliments on the sound... it plays like a dream and because of the price its low stress for me. Definitely going to buy more form Guitarfetish. Not to mention their service response is great!

Matt Kramer
*******@gmail.com

Overall, one of the premier guitar parts sites for budding builders of guitars. Replacement parts abound, and they often have closeouts from other failing companies that offer stupid cheap pricing.
On the other hand, their line of guitars that they sell has been suspect from time to time, and some models have been outright dogs. I'd stay away from the cheap finished guitars and only use the site for their parts. Pickups are especially good.