Author Topic: Warrenty (Read 133 times)

jsaylor · « **on:** November 20, 2006, 07:35:38 PM »

I heard somewhere that these only come with a one year warrenty, is this true?

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** November 20, 2006, 07:53:55 PM »

In a prior post Mica stated that the warranty was for one year.

bob · « **Reply #2 on:** November 20, 2006, 09:43:42 PM »

That's the legal statement, yes.

However, if you spend enough time reading things here, you will turn up countless examples of where support, in various forms, has been extended not just beyond a year (or even the first decade or so), but also beyond the original owner.

None of that's officially guaranteed. But if you're nice about it, and have a legitimate problem (which may, or more likely not, be due to any fault on their part), they will at least help you figure out how to resolve it.

Maybe they'll even send you a small part for the cost of postage, or maybe they'll spend a couple of hours knocking their heads together about an electronics problem and send you a diagram that will help you, or your tech, take care of it. And again, it doesn't seem to matter whether you're the original owner, as long as you care about the thing.

These are all custom, hand made instruments, even the stock models, and support is a somewhat similar fuzzy thing - but basically, they will do whatever they can, within reason and other constraints.

If your question is really, should I consider buying an Alembic, given that it comes with ONLY a one year warranty, my answer would be that the question is irrelevant.

811952 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 21, 2006, 06:18:59 AM »

I worried about that when I had mine built in '81, but figured problems would surface in the first 12 months, right? Susan, Ron and Mica have more than taken care of me in the 25 years since then. It's as though they won't accept that components sometimes simply wear out. Unbelieveable support from these people.

John

jsaylor · « **Reply #4 on:** November 21, 2006, 12:12:39 PM »

If they take care of you for over a year, why not extend their warrenty? I found it alittle odd my Gibson has a lifetime warrenty, but Alembic doesn't.

(Message edited by jsaylor on November 21, 2006)

lbpesq · « **Reply #5 on:** November 21, 2006, 12:29:37 PM »

Jordan:

While I have no personal experience with the Gibson warranty, I'd be willing to bet that if you went to Gibson with a 30 year old instrument that you had just purchased, you'd have a difficult time getting any service done under warranty.

Actually, I just checked the Gibson site. Their warranty is non-transferable and has so many conditions and limitations it probably isn't worth much in most situations. The kind of problems covered - manufaturing and material defects - would, in the great majority of cases, reveal themselves well within a year. As for Alembic, when I brought them the 1976 Series I guitar I bought on ebay, they quickly fixed a minor wiring problem and reinscribed the serial number in the control cavity, all no charge while I waited. Try and get than kind of service from Gibson! One of the reasons Alembic can command the prices it does is because of the word-of-mouth advertising about their phenomenal customer support. Don't worry about the warranty. Warranty or not, my experience, and that of many around here, is that if it needs to be made right, Alembic will bend over backwards to do it.

Bill, tgo

jsaylor · « **Reply #6 on:** November 21, 2006, 02:23:11 PM »

Bill,
During the summer, I had a few problems with the pick ups and I took it to a Gibson repair center along with a copy of purchase, to show Im the owner, and they fixed it for free, so I say it is worth it.

Its good to hear they go above and beyond their warrenty, but why can't they just put that into writing then?

bob · « **Reply #7 on:** November 21, 2006, 06:53:30 PM »

If you go with Alembic, then you join the family - not a bunch of lawyers (no offense, Bill).

Again, read what people have said here and elsewhere on the site. They've been doing this for over 30 years now. If that's not enough to satisfy you, then it's probably not the right thing for you to pursue at this time.

jsaylor · « **Reply #8 on:** November 21, 2006, 07:37:06 PM »

Bob,
Again, I know they provide customers with excellent service after the one year period. You didn't read my question, or didn't understand it. If they do provide service after the first year, why is it officially only one year? Wouldn't that make it kind of pointless to say its one year then? I'm not pursuing it at this time, just looking at whats best when the time comes to make the move up. I'm weighing all my options and seeing who has the best features among the high-end manufacturers so when I can aford a high-end instrument, I make the right descision instead of going for something inturn I will regret. I will still play them before I buy, but I want to know whats backing my purchase. I'm not so trusting with high-rated companys because as a paintbal player, I fell for the same thing in buying an angel, over hyped but without sources to back it. I understand Alembic has the backing, again just seeing what each company is like and their policies.

eastcoastepic · « **Reply #9 on:** November 21, 2006, 09:52:10 PM »

Brother jsaylor,
Simply put, it's all about faith. Rest assured, as long as the Wickersham's are in control of the Alembic name & manufacturing process, you will have full support. In this day and age, consumers have the right to be skeptical, but these are not mass-produced instruments. These are painstakingly crafted art forms that command full attention of the Alembic staff before, during and after construction. It is sometimes diffucult to convey the message of family and children to one who purchases an inanimate object, and especially a first time buyer; it is just something that Alembic owners come to appreciate and enjoy when they have made the decision to obtain one.
I do find it odd, however, that ANY manufacturer can place a lifetime warranty on an item made of various species of wood, with glue, and tarnish and corrosion prone brass and aluminum items attached, subject to the elements that are present while storing, transporting and handling said instrument, i.e., heat, humidity, sweat, bone-jarring potholes in transit, errant swinging microphones, et al. In my humble opinion, lifetime warranty is just a marketing ploy to appeal to the masses........
Just my 2 pints worth........

jbybj · « **Reply #10 on:** November 21, 2006, 09:58:09 PM »

Here's a thought Jordan. By only officially offering a one year warranty, that gives them the option to not deal with the rare bird who is an unreasonable pain in the ass. We have all seen that sign in our local retail outlet, prices subject to change depending on attitude. It seems to me from the testamonials, that the folks at Alembic respond in kind, combined with the tremendous pride they must have in their product, resulting in a defacto lifetime of support. My recent experience and testimonial can be found in this thread. http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/32804.html?1163647470 Peace, James

bob · « **Reply #11 on:** November 21, 2006, 10:14:25 PM »

(a couple of others responded while I was writing, and I like what they say)

Jordan, I do not speak for Alembic. The views I express here are simply those of a very satisfied customer, and as someone who has visited them in person several times (and thinks it's been too long since my last visit, because I miss them).

I did my best to understand your question, and I think that I do - but perhaps I didn't phrase my response as well as I might have. I'll try again, but I'm not sure I can do much better.

This is a family operation. These are people that pour their love into the instruments they build, and give it their all. They do this out of personal commitment, not legal obligation. That's sort of a way of life for some people - the kind of people I tend to respect most highly - and I believe it is directly responsive to you question.

You said, I understand Alembic has the backing, but I'm not convinced you really do. In the rest of your life, there must be a few people that you know will come through for you, when you need it, without regard to what it costs them. They don't write this down in a legal contract for you; somehow or other you establish a sense of committment and trust that you feel comfortable with. And yeah, sometimes they get a little tied up with other stuff, but they will eventually come through for you, without having to take them to court, and you know it.

I don't know what else to say here. You've said that I know they provide customers with excellent service after the one year period. If you need that in writing, then I wouldn't hold your breath. But if you know it already, then I guess I truly don't understand the question.

Take your time. Look around, think about what's really important to you, and decide when you're ready. If you think Alembic might be right for you, but you're still a little nervous, then you might try to find a fairly inexpensive used instrument, maybe with a beat up finish or something. See how you like it, give them a call and talk about it. Just see how it goes, and what your level of trust is.

People seem to squirm out of legal difficulties all the time. But as I said originally, as long as you're nice about it (and in fact, even if you're not quite as pleasant and patient as you really should be), in my experience you're going to have a hard time finding another company that will take care of you in the same way, regardless of the warranty.
-Bob

(Message edited by bob on November 21, 2006)

jsaylor · « **Reply #12 on:** November 22, 2006, 03:51:24 AM »

Bob,
I get it. So Alembic is more like a family member that helps you out when ever possible and they'll jump through loops to do so.

bigredbass · « **Reply #13 on:** November 22, 2006, 09:28:39 AM »

NOW you've got it.

I bought a used Spoiler Five and have ALWAYS been treated like I bought 50, even though I actually never put a DIME in their pocket, technically.

IF I had 100 grand to spend with them, I'd do it tomorrow and never once worry about where my money went. This is a different world than the Fenders, Gibsons, and Guitar Centers.

There can certainly be other axes you prefer and things about ALEMBICs that don't hit you; they really AREN'T for everybody. But you will NEVER find a better family business to deal with.

J o e y

David Houck · « **Reply #14 on:** November 26, 2006, 08:08:30 PM »

I tend to agree with all that's been said above. However, just to be clear, none of the people who have posted to this thread so far work for Alembic. These kind folks are just trying to be helpful by giving their honest opinions. (And to be even clearer, I don't work for Alembic either; it would be a bit of a commute). My guess is that 10 years down the road if you somehow manage to fry a pc board, your expectation should not be that you're going to get a free replacement. But by reading this forum regularly, you are well on your way to getting a wealth of information that will go a long way to helping you get a feel for Alembic.