Topic: United Breaks Guitars

[Peterbylt]

I don't know if this has been posted here before, If it has sorry for the re-post.
When David Carroll Flew on United Airlines from Canada to Nebraska, United managed to break his $3500 Taylor Guitar.
They Gave him the run around for almost a year on replacing or fixing his guitar.
Finally he told them he was going to write and publish a Youtube video about it and they said, "Good Luck with That." After the Video went viral and got a million hits in a few days United decided to deal and offered to pay if he would remove the Video, he told them," Good luck with that".
Taylor Guitars offered to give him a new Guitar.
Some of the news articles say that United's stock fell ten percent with all the bad publicity.
Anyway I like the song and the story behind it makes it all that much better.   

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Peter

[bucky katt]

i saw this a while back when it first came to light. when i traveled with an instrument, before i left my house i made damn sure i could put it in the closets that are up front by the door where coats can be hung. even with the SKB airline safe cases i always had, i still wouldnt trust the minimum wage baggage handlers with my musical instruments. at least, after all the bad publicity, united offered to buy him another guitar, after the owner of the taylor company offered him a new guitar free of charge.

[Sam Green Racing]

Great story Peter and a cool song. I liked the end where it said that no guitars were harmed during the making of the video
I wonder if they ship old Hondas

Sam.

[old76cr]

Here is the second song in  the trilogy. (3rd should be out soon) Also he's from my little city of Timmins which is pretty cool :)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-UoERHaSQg

[azuredesign]

I have to ship a fairly expensive guitar to France. I thought the video was funny, but kind of painfully so. I'm glad the guy got a new one from Taylor. I've shipped guitars for 35 years and think I know how to package them, but one never knows how it'll work out. I just do my best and cross my fingers.

[333]

I sent a guitar coast to coast to Mlinder via USPS.  It got there in perfect shape.

[edbikerii]

$3500 for a guitar?  WTF?  I paid $200 for my Gibson SG (in 1985).

Sorry, but it better damned well play itself for that kind of money.

[Duke McDukiedook]

Yeah, you would think the damn thing was a Martin or something. 

[clarkjh]

Some instruments have sentimental value as well and $$.

James

[Don R]

There's a Les Paul on E bay for $350,000 a '62 sunburst. anybody got one in the closet?

[azuredesign]

1960 was the last year that Les Pauls were made before being changed to a double cutaway style guitar that became known as the SG. The guitar you saw on ebay is a 1960. 5 years ago, maybe it would have sold for that amount, but I don't think so now, probably well under $250k. Guitars were thought to be investible and irresistible by many folks in the 60's-90's. While I don't think that kids today have the same appreciation, now that there are so many great quality inexpensive instruments around, many folks have significant investments in these things, and that helps to maintain some of their value.

I've played although never owned several late 50's Les Pauls, and owned a '53 for a time in the 80's. Even if I could have afforded one, ( and I never could even back in the early '70's, when I started paying attention) I would never have felt comfortable taking it out to play.

[bucky katt]

i wish i had the money that, if i wanted to, i could spend quarter of a million on a single guitar, not that someone with my abilities has any business owning a guitar like that. i have played a few top of the line taylors and nothing against gibson or martin, theyre ALL damn fine instruments, but the taylor is the most amazing guitar i've ever had the pleasure to play. not just the quality of materials and construction, or the action thats as slick as skates on the ice at rockefeler center, the sound and the volume of the sound is nothing short of amazing. it's rare that i get poetic about anything but maybe a fine bottle of black virgin islands rum, but if i thought it was worth enough, i'd trade my k4 750 for a taylor 700 or 800 series dreadnought acoustic. theyre every bit as nice as the Larrivee guitar from Canada.

[Raul CB750K1]

I heard once Steve Morse saying that he liked Music Man guitars, among other reasons, because they had a short scale, and using a gigbag, he could take them with him on flights and carry them in the overhead compartments.

[bucky katt]

Music Man guitars ARE super nice Raul, wish i could afford one 

[Raul CB750K1]

Music Man guitars ARE super nice Raul, wish i could afford one 

You know Bucky, one of my dreams have always been owning a PRS. When I went to the States I was determined to get me one and bring it with me.

I went to the music shop, asked for trying one.... and found out I was still the same lousy player!!!

I decided to stick to my cheap guitar until my playing improved enough to justify the expenditure. It was not a question of having the money or not, but if it was wise to spend it on something that won't make me a better player than my cheap electric guitar would, without some serious practicing.

My playing hasn't improved in these 8 years. Guess it was a wise move, don't see the point of having $3000 inside a case in the locker. Having $300 inside a case doesn't hurt that much on the contrary.

[bucky katt]

Music Man guitars ARE super nice Raul, wish i could afford one 

You know Bucky, one of my dreams have always been owning a PRS. When I went to the States I was determined to get me one and bring it with me.

I went to the music shop, asked for trying one.... and found out I was still the same lousy player!!!

I decided to stick to my cheap guitar until my playing improved enough to justify the expenditure. It was not a question of having the money or not, but if it was wise to spend it on something that won't make me a better player than my cheap electric guitar would, without some serious practicing.

My playing hasn't improved in these 8 years. Guess it was a wise move, don't see the point of having $3000 inside a case in the locker. Having $300 inside a case doesn't hurt that much on the contrary.

exactly, the most i've actually spent for any of my guitars was 65  dollars for the frankenstrat i have. the danelectro hodad i traded an old western saddle i didnt need anymore and the fender acoustic i traded for an engine block for a car i havent owned in 8 years.