GS Mini - laminate lifting?

[BigSkyTaylorPlayer]

I was playing my Mini last week and I set it on the couch strings down when I went off to do something else.

When I returned the light was hitting it just right and I noticed two areas on the back upper bout, left hand side where it looked like the wood had split.  Of course it's not wood so upon further inspection it appears as if the laminate has lifted.  I could take my fingernail and press it down.

WHAT!!!!! I thought to myself - is going on......too much humidity maybe??

Now, mind you - I am the only one who would notice at this point BC it's really gone down to the point where it's barely noticable...but still.....

Is this like getting the first ding on your new car....just get over it or should I do something about it now so it doesn't get worse?

[cjd-player]

Once the glue has failed, it will likely only get worse with changes in humidity and temperature.

I would think that would be a warranty issue, and should be repaired or replaced.

[roadbiker]

Second the repair/replace nod. I would be calling Taylor on Monday morning. Thier service is really great and I can't imagine them not taking care of the problem.

Jim

[M19]

You got me freakin' there. Had to pull mine out and give it the once over. Whew, no de-laminating.

The other posters are spot on. Warranty for sure.

[cigarfan]

Definitely get it fixed. Otherwise, in addition to the risk of getting worse, the thought of it will muddy the enjoyment of playing it.

And just for the record ... the b/s are wood, just laminated wood.

[Von Beerhofen]

My laminated back/sides Ibanez is still flawless after 35+ years of intensive play, carrying around and going in and out of all kinds of different environments. This in spite of not having paid any attention to humidity levels and temepratures.
Humidity and temperatures can vary a lot in my country. I agree that this shouldn't happen and should be fixed under warranty.

Ludwig

[BigSkyTaylorPlayer]

I called Taylor today and spoke with a very nice guy named Mike.  I described the issue and he suggested for me to send it back to Taylor for them to take a look at.

There is a Road Show coming to the area in about a month so I thought about waiting and taking it in then but it seems like I would have to send it back to Taylor anyway.  I guess I could just live with it but my gut says get it fixed now so I don't have bigger issues in the future.  So I'll await his instructions and post something when I know more.

Thanks everyone.

[jjrpilot-admin]

Don't fret over it! (sorry for the pun)

Taylor has excellent customer service and I know they'll know how to help!

[Steve]

The guy you spoke with was Mike Tobin; a total pro. If he says send it in, send it in.

You said something about waiting for a Road Show to bring it in. May I ask why?

On occasion, a tech may show up at a Road Show. This is an exception rather than the rule.

Something to keep in mind is that the guys who do Road Shows and Find Your Fit events can't really do a whole bunch for you. F'rinstance, I'm not a tech, and always traveled with only a Product Specialist. Neither of us were really the guys you wanted diagnosing a problem.

I had a guy show me a finish problem on his guitar at a Road Show, and he got a littl bent out of shape when I wouldn't A) explain why he was having the problem and B) take the guitar with us. That just wasn't our gig, and it's also not the gig of the guys doing these events.

Road Shows and Find Your Fit events are most definitely sales events and, as such, they send sales guys, not repair techs...

[BigSkyTaylorPlayer]

The guy you spoke with was Mike Tobin; a total pro. If he says send it in, send it in.

You said something about waiting for a Road Show to bring it in. May I ask why?

On occasion, a tech may show up at a Road Show. This is an exception rather than the rule.

Something to keep in mind is that the guys who do Road Shows and Find Your Fit events can't really do a whole bunch for you. F'rinstance, I'm not a tech, and always traveled with only a Product Specialist. Neither of us were really the guys you wanted diagnosing a problem.

I had a guy show me a finish problem on his guitar at a Road Show, and he got a littl bent out of shape when I wouldn't A) explain why he was having the problem and B) take the guitar with us. That just wasn't our gig, and it's also not the gig of the guys doing these events.

Road Shows and Find Your Fit events are most definitely sales events and, as such, they send sales guys, not repair techs...

Good to hear, Mike was really pleasant on the phone and I know from reading here and at AGF Taylor customer service is second to none.

Yeah, the Road Show idea was a dumb one, we both agreed that the tech (if there is one) would probably just agree with me that the laminate is lifting and I needed to send it back.  I think the rep for this area is named Zach but Aaron and another guy were at the event this shop held last spring.

The only other thought I had was maybe the shop could do it but Mike and I discussed that too and it seems something like this may not be fixable at the shop level and it needs to go back to the factory.  Now  I just need to find a box for it, should have saved the original ones.

[Steve]

There are a lot of really talented repairmen out there.

That said, the cost of some shipping is well worth it to have warranty work done at the factory...

[michaelw]

There are a lot of really talented repairmen out there.

true dat

That said, the cost of some shipping is well worth it to have warranty work done at the factory...

yeppers 

i had a 97 414kce that needed some major overhaulin' -
entire refinish (the wood around the soundhole was wore down to the point to where the rosette was raised)
refret, neck reset, nut, saddle ... just like some of these water evacuation services promise, it was 'like it never happened'

[BigSkyTaylorPlayer]

Just thought I'd close the loop on this, I was able to take the Mini to my local shop - Melodee Music - and Rob (owner) took a look at it and said "I can fix that!"  (Melodee is an authorized Taylor Repair Shop)

I picked it up earlier today and it looks beautiful.  Rob explained that the laminate had cracked in those 2 spots I described and he was able to work it some, apply some glue, and sand it smooth and it looks good as new - you can't see that anything had ever happened.  He wasn't sure why it had cracked like that but he said it does from time to time although this was in an unusual spot that he had not encountered before.

I was glad I didn't have to send it in to the factory and it gave me an excuse to go by his store again.