Need CL Advice Fast on Tele

[Eric***]

It's a fake, and it's going to be a testbed for PUPs until I make a good player out of it. The grounding wire wasn't even soldered to the bridge plate.

Sorry to hear that this didn't turn out so well. On the plus side, you do have some nice MIM axes and enough amps to keep you happy, so it's not like you gave away your life savings to buy That One Great Guitar.

Also, I'm with you on your recent tele crush. I've been playing my lovely chinese SX lately, and I really enjoy the simplicity of it all.

[Commodore 64***]

Yeah it really was ridiculous for me to even buy that guitar, even if it was real. I already have 2 tele type guitars, the MiM and a Jay Turser, which is also a nice player (it's tuned to Open G at the moment). This morning I was just looking at the guitars on my wall, and was like WTF was I thinking?

But then yesterday, I was looking at those SX teles, and some Xaviers. So inexpensive...so tempting.

[Eric***]

But then yesterday, I was looking at those SX teles, and some Xaviers. So inexpensive...so tempting.

That's the tough part about never having owned a MIM anything: no basis of comparison.

The SX is most definitely a cheap guitar, but I kind of like that about it. Still, if I had a nicer one, I'd probably be playing that.

[hubberjub***]

Did I miss something? Why don't you take it back to the seller?

[duhvoodooman***]

Why don't you take it back to the seller?

+100!! Threaten the guy with small claims court & triple damages for willful fraud and see how quick you get your $400 back....

[Commodore 64***]

1. All I have is the seller's phone #, he will not answer calls.
2. Met seller at a gas Station to buy guitar, no clue where he lives.
3. Talked to Aunt who is a lawyer. It's his word against mine and Ohio is a buyer beware state.
4. Lawyer aunt further told me that repeated calls and texts to seller could result in me being charged with stalking and harassment.
5. Even if I won triple damages in small claims court, it's still up to me to collect (e.g., he probably won't/can't pay me).
6. $400 loss sucks but expending time energy and effort to find this guy, sue him, and win will cost WAY more than $400.
7. I have 7 other guitars that I can't play very well.
8. I'm the idiot who bought a clearly fake, and a very badly faked guitar.

Seriously, there's nothing more to do. I got scammed. End of story. It won't be the last time I learn things the hard way. I reckon I won't purchase another fake guitar in the future, though, now that I'm $400 poorer and wiser.

Best thing now is for others to read this and learn how not to buy a guitar on CL. Heh.

[Eric***]

Yeah, I read your rundown on TDPRI and, as much as it sucks, I tend to agree with you. That's tough to do, because it means owning up to your purchasing decision, but I think it's probably the wise thing to do.

[Tig***]

7. I have 7 other guitars that I can't play very well.

You got me beat by 4 guitars! (that I can't play very well, either)

So, I have some water front property that you might be interested in...

Funny how each generation has to learn that fire burns, or how to reinvent the wheel. I've been burned plenty of times, and you should see my wheel collection!

[oldguy]

Commodore 64, if it eases the burn any, I've bought and traded for lots of guitars/amphs over the years, and haven't always ended up with bargains.
AAMOF, I've come up on the short end more than once.
That being said, consider yourself lucky. You've learned from it, and while 4 bills is nothing to sneeze at, it could have been worse.

[duhvoodooman***]

You've learned from it, and while 4 bills is nothing to sneeze at, it could have been worse.

True, dat!

[Geraint Jones]

My mate has just bought a Les Paul Supreme from China for the princely sum of $400 from one of these dropship sites . I don`t think he's holding his breath that it`ll be verified but how long before these imports flood the market making auction sites a no go.

[Geraint Jones]

Oh yeah and sorry for your misfortune Commodore . We live and learn .

[Brian Krashpad]

Man, I just saw this. Mojo sent. Wish I'd seen that headstock before you bought, it was pretty clear it was not the real deal.

Live and learn. I've been lucky, but I feel your pain.

[mainestratman]

Honestly, this is why I deal very little with online stuff for guitars... I think amphs are a little more difficult to fake, but still.. I'm scared to death I'm gonna drop money I don't have on something just to find out it's a POS.

[Eric***]

Honestly, this is why I deal very little with online stuff for guitars... I think amphs are a little more difficult to fake, but still.. I'm scared to death I'm gonna drop money I don't have on something just to find out it's a POS.

To be fair, I don't think this was an online thing outside of the fact that it used Craigslist, but I do see your point. I'm coming around to your point of view, because sometimes online stuff can be hyped up a bit (read: guitarfetish.com).

The trick is being able to try the stuff you're interested in beforehand. I sometimes feel like there's little chance if Guitar Center doesn't carry that brand.

[mainestratman]

Yeah.. it doesn't matter if it's eBay or CL.. I'll look at pictures, but that's about it... plus, I like the idea of buying new and getting the warranty..

If I'm looking for a beater guitar or something, then maybe I'll look at some of the local classifieds (not many people use CL up here)... or let the guy at the local-ish shop know what I'm looking for.. he can get stuff in from the other stores the umbrella company owns (a total of 4 or 5 stores in Maine)... and since they're local, they work at not ripping off people.

[marnold***]

The Latin is old but still rings true: caveat emptor!

[Commodore 64***]

The Latin is old but still rings true: caveat emptor!

Absolutely! But I still love Craig's List, this $400 mistake will make sure I don't make a $4,000 mistake.

[duhvoodooman***]

Absolutely! But I still love Craig's List, this $400 mistake will make sure I don't make a $4,000 mistake.

In that case, you just saved $3,600!! Get yourself a new Gibby LP Std. and you'll still have a grand left over!

Ain't it great how the GAS rationalization process works!