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Post by jeydee on Oct 4, 2017 13:08:44 GMT
So I ordered and received my first HB Guitar, an SC Custom, Black. As it is on the high end of HB guitars I must admit that I expected it much better. Don't get me wrong. Generally it is a well made guitar, but I've encountered a huge issue with the fretboard. The fret job is terrible, at least I have never encountered one like that. Not even in my LTD Ec-10 that cost me 100 Euros. It's not that it's dirty and dry. I would have no problem with that as I could fix it easily. The problem is that the fret wood is actually worn in places like you would expect from a heavily used/b-stock item. The thing is I ordered a new one not a b-stock. I have already contacted Thomann and waiting for their solution. I am attaching photos for you to see.
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Post by universalgleam on Oct 4, 2017 14:39:17 GMT
I got a HB-35 a couple of months ago with awful fret buzz issues. Trying to fix it with Thomann's instructions left it with an unmanageably high action and not 100% solved, so I sent it back. Today I've received a replacement which plays great with minor adjustment of the truss rod, but they've inexplicably put what appears to be a Les Paul pickguard on it! So I'm torn on whether to keep it and get them to send out a pickguard or to just get a refund.
My TE-52 is pretty decent, albeit not perfect, but I'm probably going to sell it on because I've decided I want a Jaguar instead.
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DefJef
THBC Moderator
Due to musical differences I've decided I can't work with myself any more.
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Post by DefJef on Oct 4, 2017 15:00:03 GMT
I got a HB-35 a couple of months ago with awful fret buzz issues. Trying to fix it with Thomann's instructions left it with an unmanageably high action and not 100% solved, so I sent it back. Today I've received a replacement which plays great with minor adjustment of the truss rod, but they've inexplicably put what appears to be a Les Paul pickguard on it! So I'm torn on whether to keep it and get them to send out a pickguard or to just get a refund. My TE-52 is pretty decent, albeit not perfect, but I'm probably going to sell it on because I've decided I want a Jaguar instead. Not inexplicable at all universalgleam. Somebody at Thomann clearly thought, "I can't bear to send out another of these HB35s with the awful pickguard on it. I'll try to improve things." Interesting to know that an LP one fits. This might be the solution to everyone's problems here. Thanks for the heads up. Love to see a pic of it.
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45 posts
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Post by beyonder77 on Oct 4, 2017 15:24:26 GMT
I can't see well from your pictures, is it just the wood color that looks used, or is the fretboard wood damaged?
For my first HB guitar (ST-59HM), I had high expectations too. The guitar I received had little defects, but they were all cosmetics and nothing that altered playability. I decided to keep it because I didn't want to take the risk of a faulty model.
Since then, I ordered other HB guitars (ST-70 Rosewood, TE-70 Rosewood, ST-57DG and recently a TE-80). Each of them came with it's own flaws (microphonic pickups, hard tuners, tuners not mounted straight, ground loop in electronics...). What I've learned so far is that they are what they cost: affordable guitars that are on the same level as guitars that cost 100€ to 200€ more from other brands (because there is no intermediary between factories and Thomann), but not more. For example, most of the time I compare the ST-style and TE-style HB guitars to the Squier's Vintage Modified and Classic Vibe series, because I think this is the fairest comparison you can do as these guitars have similar factory construction processes (and they are built in the same asian countries).
So when buying a HB guitar, be aware that it can be hit or miss, or something in between. My last one (TE-80) is an absolute hit (just a bit of soldering to do because of a ground loop in electronics, and maybe I will shield it with copper foil), while my others are in between. Anyway, they are really fun guitar to play and/or upgrade. And Thomann customer service is here to handle your problems.
So in your case, if it's just a problem with fretboard wood color and everything else is OK, I would keep the guitar. Otherwise, I would contact them to return it, as a damaged fretboard is not something acceptable on a brand new guitar.
Let us know what you'll decide, and please tell if this is just a problem with color or a damaged fretboard.
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Post by rookery on Oct 4, 2017 15:42:01 GMT
These tales of poor quality continue. Despite huge reservations, I ordered a TE30 at the end of last week and I'm expecting it to arrive tomorrow or the day after. I don't care that it only cost this or that, it's a brand new guitar which at the very least should be assembled correctly albeit with maybe cheaper parts and I don't expect to have to go round finishing it myself. I'll not sleep now!
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Post by jeydee on Oct 4, 2017 16:02:40 GMT
I can't see well from your pictures, is it just the wood color that looks used, or is the fretboard wood damaged? For my first HB guitar (ST-59HM), I had high expectations too. The guitar I received had little defects, but they were all cosmetics and nothing that altered playability. I decided to keep it because I didn't want to take the risk of a faulty model. Since then, I ordered other HB guitars (ST-70 Rosewood, TE-70 Rosewood, ST-57DG and recently a TE-80). Each of them came with it's own flaws (microphonic pickups, hard tuners, tuners not mounted straight, ground loop in electronics...). What I've learned so far is that they are what they cost: affordable guitars that are on the same level as guitars that cost 100€ to 200€ more from other brands (because there is no intermediary between factories and Thomann), but not more. For example, most of the time I compare the ST-style and TE-style HB guitars to the Squier's Vintage Modified and Classic Vibe series, because I think this is the fairest comparison you can do as these guitars have similar factory construction processes (and they are built in the same asian countries). So when buying a HB guitar, be aware that it can be hit or miss, or something in between. My last one (TE-80) is an absolute hit (just a bit of soldering to do because of a ground loop in electronics, and maybe I will shield it with copper foil), while my others are in between. Anyway, they are really fun guitar to play and/or upgrade. And Thomann customer service is here to handle your problems. So in your case, if it's just a problem with fretboard wood color and everything else is OK, I would keep the guitar. Otherwise, I would contact them to return it, as a damaged fretboard is not something acceptable on a brand new guitar. Let us know what you'll decide, and please tell if this is just a problem with color or a damaged fretboard. The best way I can describe is as if someone tried to sand down the fretboard but overdid in places. You can also feel the difference on the fingers so I would say it's damaged rather than a different wood color. That's what bothers me as I wouldn't care about the looks so much. I'm a home recording musician and I don't do lives so as far as it plays good I'm happy. Another thing that striked me as odd was the condition of the strings. I always change them when buying a new guitar, but these were heavily rusted and corroded. Never encountered anything like this on a brand new guitar. Generally I can't really tell what's the problem as I am more of a playing type rather than a "mend it your self" type. All I can tell that it doesn't feel right and that's not what I would expect from a brand new guitar, even a cheap one.
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1 posts
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Post by bambullock on Oct 4, 2017 16:15:33 GMT
Hi jeydee,
just got the new model of the HB 35-plus VB (Roswell PUs, better pic guard and new problems) and I must say that I have a similar feeling about the neck. Mine just looks old, like used old but still plays well except for the raw fretts. Everything else looks good. I'll make a new thread and up some pics later. How does yours play?
Edit: Oh yeah! The strings are also rusty and dead.
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Post by rookery on Oct 4, 2017 16:17:39 GMT
The rusty strings seem to be a common occurrence with HB guitars. Seeing as I consider them a consumable, I would always order a new set anyway.
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Post by jeydee on Oct 4, 2017 16:37:45 GMT
bambullock how does it play? Good question. I'll be able to tell you tomorrow when I will install new strings. All I can tell for now is that I can feel the discrepancy at the places where the fretboard seems to be sanded down. rookery I don't mind the dead strings. As I said before I always change them. But it was odd as I've never seen anything like that. All in all I wish I can find a solution with Thomann as I don't want to send the guitar back. I would prefer if they can identify the problem and tell me a way to fix it.
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45 posts
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Post by beyonder77 on Oct 4, 2017 16:45:42 GMT
Ok, thanks for the input.
So in your case I would return the guitar, as you can effectively feel the difference and it alters your way of playing.
My ST-59HM and ST-57DG came with rusty strings too, while the ST-70 RW, TE-70 RW and TE-80 NT came with fresh d'Addario strings on them. So I don't think that my guitars are constructed in the same factory, and that one of the HB factories have some humidity problems, or maybe there's a problem with shipping from Asia.
I think you can ask for Thomann to send you a new set of strings or for a partial refund, as in any cases you'll have to change the original strings and strings are a (minor) part of the guitar price. It's like buying a brand new car equipped with used tyres!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 4, 2017 16:50:43 GMT
You wanna know about terrible HB guitars try my old ST Peisley and the ST90 SA one had a neck and bridge misaligned the other had misplaced frets (never heard of that before) But now I've got the ST62MN and it's a very well built guitar. Buying HB is a bit like lottery these days sais I (and I had some great HBs in the past).
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Post by rookery on Oct 4, 2017 18:09:31 GMT
CheDaPapa, I'm clinging to every suggestion of your positivity about my forthcoming TE30.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 4, 2017 21:01:10 GMT
CheDaPapa, I'm clinging to every suggestion of your positivity about my forthcoming TE30. ha ha don't worry be happy me man! Im sure Im the only one getting real HB Lemons
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