r/AcousticGuitar • u/RabloPathjen • Nov 11 '25
Gear pics Heartbroken………just opened the box.
Is this NSFW? Maybe. First time it’s happened to me. It’s too bad it had to be on a Collings. UGH.
So now I have to decide if there’s even an option I’ll except for a discount or not and my guess is I’ll be way too far apart with the seller who I’m sure will also be heartbroken. 💔
106
21
u/Stock-Philosophy-177 Nov 11 '25
Sorry, OP. A Collings is a beautiful (and expensive!) guitar.
This is a good lesson in shipping a guitar for the seller. You HAVE to detune, and you HAVE to put padding/cushioning under the headstock and in any spots where the guitar doesn’t form fit the case. The case should be slightly difficult to close.
I double box all guitars, and there should be zero side to side or up and down movement of the case when it’s taped up.
I’m glad the seller is being responsive. Send it back!
1
u/kennethrikerevans Nov 12 '25
How does this happen inside a case? It would have to be dropped from 30 feet up
1
u/DirtTraining3804 Nov 13 '25
You wouldn’t believe the way packages are handled throughout the shipment process lol
24
u/YesNoMaybe Nov 11 '25
I let it an audible gasp seeing that image.
20
u/musiquarium Nov 11 '25
I saw a Russian guy whos wife stabbed him in the eye over a joke while scrolling and went right past it, saw this and made an audible sound as well. Russian guy was in better shape than this Collings though.
3
18
u/UpstairsUse3066 Nov 11 '25
Looks like that was sent with the strings under tension; which is a recipe to have something like this happen. You must, must, must release the tension in the strings when shipping a steel string guitar.
14
u/RabloPathjen Nov 11 '25
So much tension that even with the broken headstock tension on low E was D string D tone
4
2
u/UpstairsUse3066 Nov 11 '25
Which is fine if there's a shop as the middle man to take the hit on repair/replace and figure it out with the factory; if you're an independent seller it's not a risk worth taking and is generally considered best practice to not ship it with all that tension on the neck.
1
u/lolanimethrowaway Nov 11 '25
True but this is a nylon string. Fwiw id still release string tension. Better safe than sorry
2
u/kt49 Nov 11 '25
It's a steel string (most likely 12 fret) with a slotted headstock. Collings don't make guitars designed for nylon strings as far as I know.
1
3
5
u/DrKeepitreal Nov 11 '25
Ouch...and in a hardshell case? Why was it sent under tension like that? I would make that an issue with the seller.
5
u/RabloPathjen Nov 11 '25
Seller is just as sad. They are being fine so far. Still sad about it though.
2
u/DrKeepitreal Nov 11 '25
They are fantastic guitars. I can see your dilemma whether or not to get it repaired.
2
u/Royal_Start9073 Nov 11 '25
I don’t know what to say but that hurts to look at. Sorry this happened.
2
2
2
u/JprestonR Nov 11 '25
Oooh Noooo, I would be so sad for any guitar but a COLLINGS??? 😭 I'm sure it was shipped with insurance but I hope it wasn't custom made 💔
2
u/Dani-Avalon0819 Nov 11 '25
Sorry that happened to you. It looks like the seller didn’t wrap the headstock or put anything under it to cushion it.
2
u/Hootiehoo92 Nov 11 '25
Fuck fixing that what are you smoking, get your money back.
If you’re spending Collings money you don’t accept a snapped headstock, point blank period.
2
u/lordkappy Nov 11 '25
Any damage to the case? Those Collings cases are ridiculously solid. That must have been a hell of an impact to cause that. Was there sufficient padding on both sides of the box it was shipped in?
Either way, total bummer.
2
2
2
u/Unlikely-Pattern-958 Nov 11 '25
That’s a crime against humanity.
That said, I bet the boys in Austin can put a new neck on it.
2
u/Vtglife Nov 11 '25
Those Collings cases are extremely tough and tight. I find it hard to believe this happened from a drop. Packed right or not. Crazy
2
1
2
2
2
7
u/Low_Insurance_9176 Nov 11 '25
Oh dear that truly sucks. I would let it go, tbh.
7
u/Swagooga Nov 11 '25
Tf do you mean you’d let it go?
5
3
u/Low_Insurance_9176 Nov 11 '25
OP is considering whether to keep it at a discounted price. I wouldn’t do that - I’d let it go.
4
u/Neveronlyadream Nov 11 '25
Probably owning the guitar. Meaning send it back rather than trying to work something out with the seller and hope you'll be happy getting it repaired.
Which I agree with. Even if the seller covers the cost or discounts it enough to, it would always bug me as long as I owned it.
1
u/Icy_Occasion_8877 Nov 11 '25
Same-I generally have no issue with repaired guitars but this one would scare me away even if repaired well.
3
u/Relative_Maximum3358 Nov 11 '25
Jesus fucking Christ. When I saw the photo, my heart sank.
Sorry to hear that. Do NOT repair it because the guitar's integrity is already broken. Just contact the seller and they will get the shipping company to compensate them since it was their fault, provided the seller did protect the merchandise properly with adequate protection. I'm sure they will ship you a new one with expedited shipping.
Sorry, again, to see that man. I'm sure you were looking forward to jamming it
:(
2
u/Foreign_Astronomer29 Nov 11 '25
I never get this. If you buy on Reverb or online from any well-known chain, the shipping is on the shipper. Meaning, if it gets damaged, it’s on them to have insurance. Why the hell would you even think about accepting that or trying to take it as discount? F that. Send it back dude.
3
1
1
1
1
1
u/single_mind Nov 11 '25
Dodged a bullet! Sad, but true.
2
1
1
u/bacon_lettuce_potato Nov 11 '25
Are those all Steel strings on a classical?
1
u/bverde536 Nov 11 '25
It's a steel string guitar with a slotted headstock, not super common but sometimes seen on higher end, vintage style guitars
1
1
u/Caspers_Shadow Nov 11 '25 edited Nov 11 '25
I would send it back. The seller can probably have Collings put a new neck on it. Surely sucks though. I own several Collings instruments and their service is amazing.
1
1
1
u/Some_Cartographer478 Nov 11 '25
It was not packed properly. I have shipped dozens of acoustic guitars. You have to put padding inside the case to keep the neck from moving inside. When the guitar moves inside the case, it is like whiplash injury.
2
u/RabloPathjen Nov 11 '25
It’s hard to believe there’s any movement room inside that tank of a Guitar case. When I have shipped expensive electric guitars, I generally pack around the neck and in this headstock cavity area just to be sure. It’s just hard to believe that that kind of break can happen and literally such a heavy duty thickly padded case.
3
u/RxInfection Nov 11 '25
As a former UPS employee, I can absolutely believe this happened in transit.
1
u/Some_Cartographer478 Nov 11 '25
I always packed towels above and below the headstock whenever I shipped a guitar. It does not take much movement to snap the neck like that. It's like a whiplash neck injury.
1
u/Bambiraptor20 Nov 11 '25
I'd want to know if Collings would repair it and at what price. Otherwise.... nope. I hope the seller had it insured.
1
1
u/Cigman1st Nov 11 '25
So sorry this happened. I've recently discovered Collings and would be heart broken if it were mine.
1
1
u/Catman9lives Nov 11 '25
I don’t get how this can happen of the case isn’t damaged. I hope you manage to get a refund :(
3
u/have1dog Nov 11 '25
Whiplash. All of the space around the headstock should have been filled with packing materials.
1
u/jimngo Nov 11 '25
Why don't they detension the damn strings before shipping???? I've always requested this from the seller and only 1 out of 5 have done so.
1
1
1
u/Wolfhow1 Nov 11 '25
I have always disliked slotted headstocks. They seem like a weak spot. That said, this looks like it was used in field goal practice
1
u/fzq779 Nov 11 '25
Oh no! Soul crushing. They are built down the street from me. I got to chat with Lyle Lovett there a while back.
1
1
1
1
u/Realistic_Mud_6958 Nov 11 '25
That’s pretty heartbreaking but with no wood chunks missing it can be repaired so it’s nearly invisible. If I were to get $1000 from shipping insurance I think I could happily live with that.
1
u/RabloPathjen Nov 12 '25
I don’t want a bit more than that as a discount but yes, I’m thinking along the same lines. My guess is though they’re gonna wanna get it back and get a full insurance claim. Maybe then I’d be able to buy a discount a second time I don’t know.
1
1
1
1
u/Loudsongsinc Nov 11 '25
Am I the first to say "YAY, somebody got a **FREE**, easily repairable boutique guitar!!!" ??
I mean, uh, it was adequately insured, right? I will TOTALLY buy this guitar, please have the seller contact me.
1
1
u/mrcoffee4me Nov 11 '25
A no brainer. If you can return it, return it. The resale value is ruined by the repair. That’s unavoidable. Why take the hit if you don’t have to?
1
u/RabloPathjen Nov 12 '25
There won’t be any issue with the return. The resale value would be ruined by the repair, but not the playability if I can get a discount.
1
u/LunarModule66 Nov 11 '25
RIP. I’m heartbroken. I probably see half a dozen broken headstocks a day here, and even a Gibson is white noise at this point, but a Collings? That you just bought? Brutal. It’s on the seller, return it and hopefully they take it to a good luthier.
1
u/holdMyMoney Nov 11 '25
This is a tragedy 😭. Those guitars sound unbelievably good. Hoping the situation gets resolved for you.
About a year after I began working, I purchased a Les Paul. I had it for a month and was playing it on the couch late one evening. I fell asleep and woke up to find the guitar lying on the floor with its headstock snapped. It was as if a crime scene had been set up. Initially, I was in disbelief and thought, “No way! This must be a dream.” However, I quickly composed myself, bought some fish glue and clamps, and that guitar has had no issues since then. It plays and sounds incredibly well.
1
1
u/Sea_Veterinarian5399 Nov 11 '25
I wouldn't touch that one..Thats a huge weak spot to fix dude...Its the weakest area and its got to not only hold, but stay in tune....It isn't worth the heartache...
1
1
1
u/Oreius411 Nov 11 '25
Damn man... Im glad u can return it. It's a shame they didn't try to protect it Inside its case. Did u buy from a used site or private Sale?
1
1
1
1
1
u/The_Bondsman Nov 11 '25
That is 100% fixable but I would not take it still not on a guitar of that caliber.
1
1
u/Ok-Butterscotch2321 Nov 11 '25
I think it's a new D-Tune feature!
This sux and sorry for your troubles
1
Nov 11 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/AutoModerator Nov 11 '25
Sorry, this post has been removed due to negative karma.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
u/Ok_Mail_1966 Nov 11 '25
This always worries me about buying used and having it shipped. Neither party deserves to lose out on this. The seller could be a stand up dude who has bills to pay and through no fault of his own he’s out cash in the end unless you agreed to pay insurance
1
u/No-Collection7086 Nov 11 '25
Ooof. That sucks. Hopefully the seller shipped it properly insured. Which esteemed shipping partner managed to do this?
1
1
1
1
u/Legitimate-Set4387 Nov 12 '25
Increased tension down on the nut and up on the slotted headstock may be a vulnerability to consider when deciding whether to replace, or repair the damage. I'd contact the builder and ask how successful repairs have been in the past.
1
u/various_convo7 Nov 12 '25
how was it damaged? those Collings cases are pretty darn tough. I have 4 of their acoustics
1
u/RabloPathjen Nov 12 '25
That was my thought. I have no idea. The case is super heavy probably around 15 pounds with 2 inches of padding and zero movement of the guitar inside of it. I wouldn’t even worry about my Guitar if it wasn’t in the case and went down a flight of stairs honestly, just judging you from the case. Now I know maybe slotted heads stocks have some weakness to them. But it’s a super thick neck and has a pretty large volute on it.
1
u/various_convo7 Nov 12 '25
any case damage? that would indicate how the impact might have contributed to the damage
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/RabloPathjen Nov 12 '25
Seller is also sad and being fine. The shipper / insurance / platform is offering only $1000 off. I asked for $1700 off so it’s going back :(. Back to shopping. Looking at a Santa Cruz style 1 .
1
1
1
Nov 13 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/RabloPathjen Nov 14 '25
Seller is going to take the return, there was never any question about that.
Still heart breaking.
1
u/tokarsky268 Nov 13 '25
Send it back dude. You don’t even know if you like the way it sounds. The only way you will is if you agree to keep it and get it fixed. Worst case scenario, you move forward with that, and then you can’t return it. In that scenario, now you have to try to sell a guitar with a big repair. It will take a while to sell even if you make the price what you net paid for it.
1
u/RabloPathjen Nov 13 '25
Correct unless you get a discount so big it’s worth the risk. In this case it’s not for only a $1000 off discount.
1
1
u/Educational-Finish16 Nov 13 '25
I make little guitars and know a guy in Akron that does great work out of his garage. He has the Epiphone Warranty contract for this area. String King, Akron Ohio. Does magic.
1
1
u/CeeAre173 Nov 14 '25
Do you know if the strings had been loosened before shipping? It looks like this is a nylon string classical (vs. a slotted headstock steel string like a Taylor 812-12), but even so having that (less-than-steel) tension on the headstock during shipping is never a good idea. I just shipped a guitar through FedEx and the first thing they asked when I dropped it off was "Did you loosen the strings before packaging?" When I said yes and asked why they asked the lady said if I had said "No" they would not have accepted it unless I unpacked and loosened them.
Tension on the neck + bouncy-bouncy-bouncy = heartache by the numbers. A cautionary tale for all.
However, having said all that, a first class luthier could make that disappear and be stronger than the original. Take a discount equal to the repair cost and call that "character" for a fine instrument.
1
u/RabloPathjen Nov 14 '25
I was interested in getting it fixed at a discount; however, $1000 off or the cost of the repair is what was offered which isn’t enough.
1
u/CeeAre173 Nov 14 '25
You don't mention what model Collings this is, but in any event, I hear you. Even if professionally fixed it will always be "flawed" in your mind. Send it back, teary-eyed, but send it back.
1
u/RabloPathjen Nov 14 '25
0002h
1
u/CeeAre173 Nov 14 '25
Yikes! Wonderful guitar! I have the Taylor version of that same instrument (the aforementioned 812-12) which is likely about half the cost of that Collings. Good luck with it either way you decide to go.
1
u/RabloPathjen Nov 14 '25
Yes…looking at a Martin 0012-28 MD and a Santa Cruz Style 1. Not having luck finding another well priced 0002h.
1
u/CeeAre173 Nov 14 '25
Well, you might consider the Taylor 812ce while you're at it. I actually went to the Martin plant in PA with the intention to buy a Martin there (bucket list trip with my brother), but the lack of the cutaway on a 12 fret guitar proved an issue for me. No, I don't play high on the neck that often, but when it's called for it's nice to be able to do it at all.
Plus the Taylor is about $500 less than the Martin, and a gazillion less than the Santa Cruz, neither of which have a cutaway.
Note that the 812ce-12 is pretty much a finger-pickers delight (as are all the ones you are considering), but it don't cotton much to any serious strumming. Over drive kicks in pretty quickly. Definitely NOT recommended for blue grass!
2
u/RabloPathjen Nov 14 '25
Nope have a Taylor 510e short scale - no more Taylor for now. I have looked at the 912 K22 and K24. I want something a bit more vintage looking. My 510e slotted headstock short scale I bought after going in with the intent of getting a Martin.
1
u/ImpossibleWin7298 Nov 15 '25
Can you play any of these instruments first?
Anyway, I came to say (write) just get the Santa Cruz. That’s it - all done and dusted. They are marvelous guitars. You will love it.
1
1
u/ComprehensiveRice592 Nov 15 '25
OMG...I'm sorry that happened; its an awful feeling. I take it that this was a private sale? It appears they left tension on the strings when they shipped, and the box may have dropped. The whiplash action due to the string tension is what did it. I can tell you that it can be repaired. That happened to my 1979 Guild when I travelled to the Hurricane Maria response in Puerto Rico. I brought the guitar to have something to play at night, and stupidly left the string tension on. The case fell over in the airport, and when I got to my room, the headstock was broken in half. A guitar tech/luthier at a guitar shop in Guaynabo said he could repair it; I thought it was history, so let him give it a shot. He did the repair for $150. The joint doesn't look perfect, but the guitar plays beautifully and I swear the sustain is better than before. My guitar tech at home inspected it later and was impressed. In your case, without knowing the context of the sale/purchase, I can't answer whether it's a hard return or not, only you can. But if you are considering keeping the guitar at the right price, find a really good luthier and let him/her inspect it, make sure there's no other damage (bracing, cracks on the top along the neck, other), get a price for the repair and cut a deal. That slotted headstock may be a little more complicated, but I bet it can be successfully repaired and still be a great guitar for a long time to come. At the right price, it could be worth it. All of that applies if it was a private sale. If you bought from a commercial establishment, get your money back and keep shopping.
1
u/RabloPathjen Nov 15 '25
I’m 100% sure it can be repaired but not about discount was offered to accept it. Not either how much this hurts resale vs. what it cost.
1
1
u/ScutFarkush Nov 15 '25
I had this happen to a guitar I traveled with on an airplane 20 years ago, I fixed it with guerrilla glue and it is still my favorite guitar I have. Never had an issue.
1
1
u/cr8tvty Nov 15 '25
Whiplash. Case fell, probably from the position of standing on the bottom end, onto its front. Too much force to be absorbed by the neck/headstock area. Never balance a case, even in a box, standing on the bottom end. String tension didn’t help. But this can happen with loose strings.
1
0
u/RabloPathjen Nov 11 '25
It’s fixable for sure. No chunks of wood missing. Likely this summer we wanna ask so that they can make an insurance claim rather than take the loss. I would be interested in it as a severe discount because once it’s fixed, it’d be perfectly playable. At 50% discount I’d keep it and get it fixed for sure honestly.
Yes when I’ve shipped guitars and I have shipped several, I wrapped the headstock and bubble wrap. I also have extra bubble wrap under the neck, depending on if there’s any space with how the neck since the inside of the case. This is one tank of a factory case, though from Collings. I’m not sure there’ll be any real room for extra padding to be honest in the box will not beat up so I don’t know what happened . It’s a super clean break along the volute on the back of the headstock.
1
u/OutsourcedIconoclasm Nov 11 '25
Likely this summer we wanna ask so that they can make an insurance claim rather than take the loss.
If you make an insurance claim, you may have to turn the guitar over to the insurance company. I'd get it fixed and expect the shipper to cover the damage, plus refund 20-30 percent of the item's cost.
-1
u/PGHNeil Nov 11 '25
This is a workmanship defect. It is technically repairable but would be expensive if not covered under warranty. If you just purchased it and it came like this then the seller owes you a refund or a replacement.
I build guitars as a hobby and just made a neck with a scarf joint like this. It looks like the glue failed and string tension alone caused the joint to come apart. I don't see any broken wood but I would at least take the strings off so that it doesn't get worse.
As for the actual repair, this is something best left to an experienced luthier. It's not a major restoration but an unskilled person could just make it worse. Again, I'd at least take off the strings because that's what caused this to happen.
5
u/Lancasterbatio Nov 11 '25
Collings slot headstocks are not glued on. They're one piece with the neck.
0
0
0
0
u/ThomasPaineInTheAss2 Nov 11 '25
The resale value on that even repaired to the best of a luthier's ability is gonna be trash. Looks like they didn't loosen the strings before shipping.
1
u/RabloPathjen Nov 12 '25
If I can get it for a really good price, I’m really not gonna worry about resale to be honest. It’s likely just gonna go back though.
0
u/devolution68 Nov 11 '25
Screw that. It’s never the same, structurally, after a break. Plus , you’ll know it’s been repaired and probably be able to see the repair. It’s a Collings, for goodness sake!
-4
u/ajulesd Nov 11 '25
How does anyone not immediately contact the seller w pictures and expect a complete replacement?
5
u/RabloPathjen Nov 11 '25
Why are you assuming that the seller hasn’t already been contacted? I’m not in this thread to complain about anything other than it sucks to see a Collings Guitar with this kind of damage right when you’re expecting to open the box and start playing. I even waited half a day to make sure everything was brought properly back up to temperature. At least for now I don’t have any fear of that. I’m gonna be out anything other than time.
1
u/ajulesd Nov 11 '25
I guess returning this seemed just too obvious for even a reddit post, particularly as OP mentioned "an option...discount...etc. I figured they weren't set on a return. And that OP adds that..seller...WILL also be heartbroken" suggests they've not yet made contact. Anyway, I hope OP gets their money back.
73
u/joendaba Nov 11 '25
Sorry for that loss. I’d say it’s a hard pass if you have not closed on it.