I made it out to Ed Roman's place Wed. What a huge store, full of a wide range of guitars for every guitar players need it seemed!
I tried both Furthers they had, it was really great to have a comparison. If you'll notice, 13457 is no longer lsited on thier site, and I am awaiting delivery as we speak. I got the Rock Star shipping and setup program...their terminology not mine
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Couple of notes on the experience. The sales manager (the salesman I was dealing with was out that day) was totally helpful, no pressure. What would you like to try them through? You want a loop cable? Sure no problem. A Envelope filter pedal? Let me go get one. OK, here is your stuff, hook it up how you like 'cos I can tell you've researched what you want to do etc etc. Then he left me alone to goof around with the guitars. Very very relaxed setting.
Ok on to the guitars. There were some minor differences in the construction, which I found to be surprising. On one guitar the tail piece was about 3/8 to 1/2 inch closer to the bridge than the other guitar. This caused the strings to lay on and touch the bridge (which I was not hip to). The bridge was looking a little worn, perhaps because of the tailpiece proximity, I don't know. The factory setup action on this guitar was also really high. Upon fret check, I also noticed there was a buzz in the 2nd string 21st fret. It all didn't make me feel great about this one and I realize it's all adjustable, but still it did sound real nice just like I expected.
The one I picked, was a later serial number (44 later), so it struck me as being newer. None of the factors above were present, and it felt natural in my hand. It sounded even better than the first (and the first sounded better than my Skylark). It was not too hard to decide which one I wanted. Thank GAWD I had the opportunity to go look at these and see the difference.
Ok..on to the deal. They told me the price, same as on the site. Ok. Then the case was extra...ooook *hmm*. Then the tax was outrageous, but I wanted to take it with me. So I gave them the price I was willing to pay, the guy disappered for while, then came back and said Ok we will do it at that price, out the door tax, case everything included. That wowed me a little. Now the fun. Stupid card didn't work for the whole amount (argh). So I put a deposit on 1/2, and would do the rest the next day, which I did. Then I asked about the shipping (no tax if it's shipped out of state). This is when he mentioned the Rock Star treatment. I said ok, lets do it. Cleaned, set up, shipped next day air. Then he says BTW we will include this in the original purchase price so AGAIN I am out no extra money over what my original offer was. Friggin' Sweet!
I found Ed's place to be extremely easy to deal with. I was ready for battle when I walked in, becuase of some of the stories I read, but it was for naught. Totally helpful, and I feel I got an amazing deal to boot!!! Not that I don't believe other people had issues, I could tell it could go that way at any point.
Ok now the question that's been bugging me (if you've made it this far). Why is the tailpiece on the 13413 Further so much closer to the bridge than 13457? It suprised me to see such a noticble difference in that aspect, and I wonder if it's just the varience on construction, or if there was a design change between the two.
So...I will post some pics when it arrives. Thanks for reading this long-ass post!!
