MF Bait-and-Switch

[bongolation]

>> diamond-style humbuckers installed. I don't know for
>> sure where the pickups are made,but I'd guess in China
>> as well.

> According to MusiciansFriend.Com, both the humbucking
> and P-90 look-alike pickups on these Chinese Coloramas
> are German made, presumably by Hofner.

Heads up on this: I just received one of these axes from MF today and it's going back.

The really nice Hofner gigbag shown in not one, but TWO pictures on the MF slideshow for this guitar is NOT included. You will receive a low-quality, separately packed "Kaces" generic gigbag instead of the more desirable and better-built Hofner factory gigbag as shown on the MF site. The Hofner gigbag has been in the page for at least two months now, and that's plenty of time to correct an "honest" mistake.

Musician's Friend Customer Service handled this problem very badly, and I had to speak with a supervisor before getting them to accept a return at their expense, despite this gross misrepresentation.

I fully expect more problems with the return before this is over.

I also do not believe that these are German Hofner pickups as they have the identical highly-tarnished, low-quality plating as the rest of the Chinese hardware on the axe. I have read elsewhere that despite the claim that these are German pickups, they are in fact currently Chinese-made. After examining them, I believe this to be the case.

Musician's Friend very frequently has misinformation in their product descriptions and I believe this is another example. If in fact these are German pickups, Hofner needs to take a serious look at their plating QC.

The neck pickup mounting boss was installed backwards.

The pickup selector switch was loose and noisy, which was explained by the very nasty hackjob done inside the control cavity in an attempt to make the switch fit. This butchery did reveal enough raw wood to determine that the body wood is very soft, probably agathis. The wiring job is typically sloppy, but functional.

On the plus side, the exterior set-neck and body build is excellent, and the finish a very rich cherry with nicely figured wood. The Chinese-made Grovers are reasonably smooth. The scarf-jointed neck is true, the fretwork
decent and the basic setup on this example was good.

Neck/bridge/tailpiece alignment was correct, something Gibson frequently fails to accomplish on $3800 instruments.

Sound is OK, aside from grittiness in the pickup switch.

If MF hadn't burned me on the gigbag and thereby further undermined my already-shaky faith in the accuracy of their pickup description, I'd probably keep this guitar, as it's probably worth the price.

Unfortunately, the way things have turned out, it's not the great bargain that their advertising claims.

 

[hixmix]

What's with the typewriter font, bongo?

Welcome back. Haven't seen you around these parts in awhile.

Your posts are always very informative.

 

[Ed Dixon]

Consider posting a URL, so we have some idea of what you're describing. MF has dozens of Hofner products.

Ed

 

[bongolation]

Consider posting a URL, so we have some idea of what you're describing. MF has dozens of Hofner products.

But only two Coloramas. Note the slideshow. You don't get that factory gigbag shown, but rather a funky generic one that doesn't fit and isn't as nice by a long shot.

 

[bongolation]

What's with the typewriter font, bongo?

Rotten eyesight. Monospace fonts are easier for me to read, and people have a fit about fixedsys when I use it.

Welcome back. Haven't seen you around these parts in awhile.

Your posts are always very informative.

Thanks.

I've pretty much blown off the Internet after twenty-three years of online forums. Honestly, there are just too many jugheads. Jugheads drive away good users and ruin it for everyone.

Actually, I only posted this here out of spite for MF.

Well, that's only half true; when there's a real problem with an offer that's being heavily pushed, it's sort of an obligation to warn people.

 

[Adam P]

I didn't see a gigbag in any pictures (could be my error though), and either way, someone's making an awfully big stink about a $200 guitar.

Edit: A different link came up the second time I clicked the link.

 

[bongolation]

someone's making an awfully big stink about a $200 guitar.

So long, folks!

 

[Ed Dixon]

Again, MF sells multiple Hofner products, including multiple Coloramas models, which have different features stated.

With a post like this, first start with a URL to the online site for the specific product ordered. That eliminates guessing by readers who might be interested. Then point out the specifics of what you expected and what you received.

My experiences with MF have been quite good. They have been a good group to work with and have always delivered for me.

Ed

 

[Zaphod B]

When I clicked on the link, I got a set of 10 pictures, the last of which was clearly a Hofner gig bag.

 

[travelin travis]

I didn't see a gigbag in any pictures (could be my error though), and either way, someone's making an awfully big stink about a $200 guitar.

Edit: A different link came up the second time I clicked the link.

I saw the pictures of the gig bag. You have vision problems? I don't see cost being a factor in this. If you buy something from a company, you should get what was advertised whether it was $5 or $50,000.

So long, folks!

I feel you man. It's hard sometimes.

 

[Adam P]

I saw the pictures of the gig bag. You have vision problems? I don't see cost being a factor in this. If you buy something from a company, you should get what was advertised whether it was $5 or $50,000.

Please learn to read. I clearly stated in my post that you quoted that the first time I clicked the link (after which I made my post), that the link was different. It linked me to the initial product page, not the slideshow page. I then went back and edited my post. You'll notice that his post was edited at the same time as when mine was made. Actually, you probably missed that in your rush to put me down.

My other comments had nothing to do with the gigbag. Complaining about low quality pickup plating, soft body wood, noisy electronics, etc on a guitar at the same price point as a Squier is akin to complaining that your Kia Rio doesn't drive as smoothly as my Subaru. I'm sure that if it was a $200 Squier or Epiphone or Carlo Robelli guitar that was in question, most of the comments would be along the lines of "What do you expect from a $200 guitar?"

As for the wrong gigbag, I would contact them and let them know they sent the wrong gigbag, and demand they replace the gigbag.