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Bourbon Burst or Iced Tea?

Diatonico

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Jun 7, 2020
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Hi guys,

Just got my shiny new Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s. I ordered Iced Tea, but this must be a Bourbon Burst, no?

FullViewInCase.jpg

I know Iced Teas can be a bit darker or lighter, but this is not exactly what I was hoping for :spabout Just wanted to get your opinions

I'm returning it anyway; the factory seal was broken upon delivery and taped over by the vendor (I'm guessing it was a returned guitar even though I ordered, and paid, for brand new) and there's some minor damage to the binding and truss rod cover.
 

jrgtr42

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Mar 24, 2005
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Looks like Bourbon burst to me - but I think that looks really good.
PERSONALLY, I'd be OK if it was opened and resealed by the vendor - some of them do it to check over the guitars before shipping to end user.
I'd ask them about it.
However, damage to binding and TRC is definitely something to return (or at least talk to the vendor) over.
 

Diatonico

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Looks like Bourbon burst to me - but I think that looks really good.
PERSONALLY, I'd be OK if it was opened and resealed by the vendor - some of them do it to check over the guitars before shipping to end user.
I'd ask them about it.
However, damage to binding and TRC is definitely something to return (or at least talk to the vendor) over.

It definitely looks good. They don't open the packaging to setup the guitar. This particular seller has a generous return policy and they seel returned gear as b-stock at a reduced price. So I'm kind of feeling like they wete trying to foist a used product on me at full price.

Another thing: the jack cover is chrome and not plastic (same colour as the binding). I like it personally. However don't all 2020 standard 60s models come with the plastic jack? Is it possible someone replaced the original cover?
 

El Gringo

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It definitely looks good. They don't open the packaging to setup the guitar. This particular seller has a generous return policy and they seel returned gear as b-stock at a reduced price. So I'm kind of feeling like they wete trying to foist a used product on me at full price.

Another thing: the jack cover is chrome and not plastic (same colour as the binding). I like it personally. However don't all 2020 standard 60s models come with the plastic jack? Is it possible someone replaced the original cover?

Good shops that care about there customers provide a Set up of the instrument to the buyers specs and preferences . So it is normal to have factory seals broken to #1 Inspect for any damage or issues , # 2 to set up instrument to the buyers preferences . There is no way I am spending that kind of coin ( 4 figures and up ) and not have the instrument gone over with a fine tooth comb and set up to my liking . Guitars cost a lot of money and a customer has a reasonable expectation to have an instrument in working order . Anything short of that is unacceptable !
 

Big Al

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Factory seal?? WTF! this isn't a carton of milk, it's a guitar and any good dealer opens the shipping box for all the reasons stated above. The color thing is reason enough, the rest is looking for issues that don't exist.
 

Big Al

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I'd say that is not Iced Tea. Far too dark.

Andy

Andy, the Ice Tea Bursts I've seen are all on the dark side, but I agree this may be Bourbon Burst, but that pic isn't very good. This new thing with all these designer lable finishes is confusing and not targeting expected shades. I have a R9 from '99 that was a true 50's Cherryburst I nicknamed "Lipton" as it is textbook Teaburst. It very closely matches the later offered Tea Burst. Then I have another, much lighter Sunrise Teaburst that is very faded looking and now an Ice Tea Burst that looks like a proper faded Tobacco Burst and very different from the other two.

I expect we'll be seeing things like Sweet Tea Autumn Sunrise Burst or Bing Cherry Marmalade Burst next. It makes it hard for old farts like me who've used terms like Cherry Sunburst, Teaburst, Honey Burst, Tobacco Burst or Lemon Drop to describe the various shadings or degree of fade for two basic finishes, Sunburst, [Tobacco], and Cherry Sunburst. Terms agreed upon and understood for 40 years or so.

Now they have factory designations like, Lemon Burst, Green Lemon Burst, Dirty Lemon Burst, Double Dirty Lemon Burst, etc. It is too much for my ancient head.
 

Diatonico

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Factory seal?? WTF! this isn't a carton of milk, it's a guitar and any good dealer opens the shipping box for all the reasons stated above. The color thing is reason enough, the rest is looking for issues that don't exist.

1. The dealer sells B-Stock guitars at reduced price. These are guitars sent back by other customers.
2. I ordered brand new, which I think is important when buying online. In a store you can inspect the instrument before purchase.
3. The guys confirmed that they never open guitars for a setup, unless the customer explicitly asked for it.

Conclusion: I'm being sent a B-Stock at full price (strike one), with damage to truss rod cover and the binding (strike two), and in a color that I didn't necessarily want (strike three).
 

Diatonico

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Andy, the Ice Tea Bursts I've seen are all on the dark side, but I agree this may be Bourbon Burst, but that pic isn't very good. This new thing with all these designer lable finishes is confusing and not targeting expected shades. I have a R9 from '99 that was a true 50's Cherryburst I nicknamed "Lipton" as it is textbook Teaburst. It very closely matches the later offered Tea Burst. Then I have another, much lighter Sunrise Teaburst that is very faded looking and now an Ice Tea Burst that looks like a proper faded Tobacco Burst and very different from the other two.

I expect we'll be seeing things like Sweet Tea Autumn Sunrise Burst or Bing Cherry Marmalade Burst next. It makes it hard for old farts like me who've used terms like Cherry Sunburst, Teaburst, Honey Burst, Tobacco Burst or Lemon Drop to describe the various shadings or degree of fade for two basic finishes, Sunburst, [Tobacco], and Cherry Sunburst. Terms agreed upon and understood for 40 years or so.

Now they have factory designations like, Lemon Burst, Green Lemon Burst, Dirty Lemon Burst, Double Dirty Lemon Burst, etc. It is too much for my ancient head.

I don't mind the different terms for different shades — it allows customers to get exactly what they want. But the paint jobs vary so wildly in darkness etc. that these terms have become meaningless. You order Iced Tea, the model says "IT", you get Bourbon Burst... I mean, then what's the point of making the distinction? Just sell them "guitar, painted however the fuck we feel like".
 

Big Al

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1. The dealer sells B-Stock guitars at reduced price. These are guitars sent back by other customers.
2. I ordered brand new, which I think is important when buying online. In a store you can inspect the instrument before purchase.
3. The guys confirmed that they never open guitars for a setup, unless the customer explicitly asked for it.

Conclusion: I'm being sent a B-Stock at full price (strike one), with damage to truss rod cover and the binding (strike two), and in a color that I didn't necessarily want (strike three).

No, no dealer ships unopened shipping boxes. Setup has nothing to do with it. Damage checking and verification of P.O. only to protect themselves, is standard buisness practice and unless done dealer has no recource. The guys sound like morons your only issue is color and a legitimate one as well as the only one shown.
 

Diatonico

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No, no dealer ships unopened shipping boxes. Setup has nothing to do with it. Damage checking and verification of P.O. only to protect themselves, is standard buisness practice and unless done dealer has no recource. The guys sound like morons your only issue is color and a legitimate one as well as the only one shown.

This particular dealer has shipped unopened boxes to me before, hence why I was particularly concerned about it.
I didn't realize it was concidered common for (online) dealers to inspect the product before sending it.
 

Big Al

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This particular dealer has shipped unopened boxes to me before, hence why I was particularly concerned about it.
I didn't realize it was concidered common for (online) dealers to inspect the product before sending it.

That works for electronics, fx, hardware and stuff like that but not guitars. I know of no dealers that would or could do this. Who is this dealer, anyway, as I cannot believe one would ship or receive into inventory a Les Paul without verification and physical inspection. Ludicrous, just ludicrous.
 

Diatonico

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That works for electronics, fx, hardware and stuff like that but not guitars. I know of no dealers that would or could do this. Who is this dealer, anyway, as I cannot believe one would ship or receive into inventory a Les Paul without verification and physical inspection. Ludicrous, just ludicrous.

The dealer is a well-known German online music shop that spells "man" with a double N. To clarify: I have received Gibson Les Pauls from them before in sealed boxes, not just electronics. They confirmed that they never open the boxes before sending the guitar, except if the customer explicitly asks for a setup.

I don't know how much clearer I can put it. I've listed my concerns and reasons for being indignant above. Apparently my expectation/experience is not universal, I've become a wiser man.
 

Big Al

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The dealer is a well-known German online music shop that spells "man" with a double N. To clarify: I have received Gibson Les Pauls from them before in sealed boxes, not just electronics. They confirmed that they never open the boxes before sending the guitar, except if the customer explicitly asks for a setup.

I don't know how much clearer I can put it. I've listed my concerns and reasons for being indignant above. Apparently my expectation/experience is not universal, I've become a wiser man.



Interesting, and a recipe for fraud. They have no idea what they have in inventory, except unverified carton stickers, nor the physical condition of the items they hold, unopened for sale and shipped off to customers. So six or eight months after receiving an instrument they discover a broken headstock. Who then is at fault? Not Gibson, not shippers as you cannot prove this was received as damaged, only received. The store now owns damaged goods, which may explain their B stock market.

Or, worse, they ship a damaged instrument to a customer. How's that work? Factory sealed and that means what? Couldn't be damaged or they just accept it back with no recourse? Well, there is that B stock market to support.

Of course maybe not, maybe it's a perfect guitar in it's unopened carton and the buyer drops it, leans it against a wall and it falls, carelessly gives it a deep scratch, cranks the truss rod and snaps it or splits the board, or whatever accidental or negligent damage they do and claim that they received a damaged instrument and want a new undamaged replacement or refund. Since no one could be bothered to actually check to make sure that a customer was sent an undamaged, proper model and color, with all proper case candy and papers, coa etc., guitar I guess they'll have even more for that B stock inventory.

Tell me, how long after you purchase,(receive), it, do you have to check it out before it's too late? Think about that and all it means.


It's pretty clear, either way, they have no idea what they receive or sell in these unopened, factory sealed boxes. No retailer I worked for, nor any of the many I work with will sell unopened high end merchandise. It is poor buisness practice and makes no sense at all.

Neither does somehow placing a premium on buying unopened boxes, as if that is some kind of special extra good thing. I can't even conceive buying an unseen guitar in this internet age. Do you gaze at pictures of cardboard shipping cartons to find one with just the right figure in the shipping lable? Unopened factory seal isn't proof of anything more than buying from a retailer who is nothing more than a distribution warehouse, interested in providing the least bit of service to its customers.

What a ridiculous way to buy a Les Paul. I'm sure, or I would hope there are Retailers who can provide the service you deserve. These are expensive, personal musical instruments. Without a proper set up they cannot be fairly evaluated. If you are picky about color you should see a photo. Ice Tea is not Tea Burst and is dark, more like a faded Tobacco Burst, dark brown color. Bourbon is just as dark with more red in it. Neither one is light colored. Some will always vary so seeing what you are buying allows you to choose.
 
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sunking101

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What the hell? I have only ever received a factory sealed guitar once in 9 brand new purchases. Music shops inspect their goods upon receipt and even put them out on the racks.

All bursts are hand sprayed. There is variation. However yours does look like a bourbon burst but come on, check the box. There is a sticker on the box saying the model name and the color.
 

Big Al

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What the hell? I have only ever received a factory sealed guitar once in 9 brand new purchases. Music shops inspect their goods upon receipt and even put them out on the racks.

All bursts are hand sprayed. There is variation. However yours does look like a bourbon burst but come on, check the box. There is a sticker on the box saying the model name and the color.

It does seem like a strange way to do buisness and even stranger way to buy, sight unseen. I see it's a European deal and maybe there are different expectations from buyers there. I am just too much of a cheapskate to drop that kinda moolah on a Les Paul blindly in hopes of getting an unsealed box, (as if that somehow makes it better). At the very least, I'd like to be able to choose among available stock as there is always, ALWAYS one I'd prefer. Even when photos were not on websites, I've never had a problem getting emailed pic's to make my choice.

I think the op didn't get the guitar he ordered and is absolutely right to send it back, but should insist on photo's from Voldemort Inc. and get over the unbroken factory seal crap. For that price some real customer service is not to be unexpected.
 

El Gringo

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It does seem like a strange way to do buisness and even stranger way to buy, sight unseen. I see it's a European deal and maybe there are different expectations from buyers there. I am just too much of a cheapskate to drop that kinda moolah on a Les Paul blindly in hopes of getting an unsealed box, (as if that somehow makes it better). At the very least, I'd like to be able to choose among available stock as there is always, ALWAYS one I'd prefer. Even when photos were not on websites, I've never had a problem getting emailed pic's to make my choice.

I think the op didn't get the guitar he ordered and is absolutely right to send it back, but should insist on photo's from Voldemort Inc. and get over the unbroken factory seal crap. For that price some real customer service is not to be unexpected.

I am just a humble ole simpleton that is happy when I buy a new Gibson Custom guitar that it comes in the Gibson Custom carton ( opened and inspected and set up to my specs of course )
 

Big Al

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I am just a humble ole simpleton that is happy when I buy a new Gibson Custom guitar that it comes in the Gibson Custom carton ( opened and inspected and set up to my specs of course )

I never cared one bit what box it came to me in. As long as it was sturdy and well packed, I was happy. I cut it and recycle them anyways, I don't collect boxes!!!! Between all the guitars and cases, where would I put them???
 

El Gringo

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I never cared one bit what box it came to me in. As long as it was sturdy and well packed, I was happy. I cut it and recycle them anyways, I don't collect boxes!!!! Between all the guitars and cases, where would I put them???

I have to keep the boxes as I need to use them when I ship out my guitars for service . Which is often . Right now I am in a holding pattern , as I have 4 instruments requiring attention and service . ( 2 Lester's , Stratocaster, Plexiglass )
 
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