A question about Peach Guitars

TheOtherDennis · October 2020

Yesterday evening, I pulled the trigger on a Larrivee OM-02 (don't ask, I just did, ok?).

Today I emailed Peach and asked if it would have a set up before it gets sent out to me.

Their response doesn't exactly inspire confidence - "all guitars that leave us go into the tech, he checks them all over to make sure they meet factory standards before they get shipped out."

That doesn't sound like a set up to me.

Am I wrong?

S56035 · October 2020

The two are different things aren't they? Setup is your particular preferences, they're saying the check it over. I got an Eastman from Peach a while ago and had clearly been looked at and adjusted before it got to me.

Keefy · October 2020

Without knowing what you prefer, it’s impossible for a retailer to ‘set up’ a guitar before they send it out.

munckee · October 2020

I ordered an electric from andertons and asked if it would be checked, they said if you call the support dept they will make sure it’s checked.

I called and they took my order number and the chap said he had checked it personally.

It was impossible to intonate and I took it to a tech and the nut had to be recut as it was woeful.

TheOtherDennis · October 2020

I appreciate it won't be utterly perfect without knowing precisely what I like, but this just sounds like a once over, rather than making sure it's playable.

Whatever, we'll see, I suppose. They haven't told me when it's due to arrive, either. :-S Hey ho.

malcolmkindness · October 2020

I bought a very expensive Martin from GuitarGuitar recently and I had to have a local luthier make me a new nut. I think generally these days unless you're actually in the shop, your guitar is only going to get a very perfunctory look over.

DB1 · October 2020

Credit where credit's due - I ordered a ES-335 from Peach recently and I must say that it came very well set up. Action not low enough for me, but I'm not normal like that.

On the question of setting up acoustic guitars, I really should commend Coda this week. I was dithering about buying one of the new 50's Gibson LG-2's, because I'm not a very good acoustic player and the thing that puts me off most is high action and stiff string tension.

I talked to John in the acoustic department and expressed my reservations, so he said that it would be set up how I wanted it, with any necessary adjustments to the saddle, nut, 11 gauge strings etc. I decided to go for it and Coda's tech (another John) phoned me just to check that I did actually want the action so low that the strings were almost behind the neck.

Anyway, it came to me the next day and it was really excellent. Obviously, I'll shave the saddle and I've put some balanced tension Newtone strings on and fiddle with it until it's unplayable as usual, but I was very impressed with Coda.

I wouldn't have bought it without that help and advice, so if @DougCoda would pass on my thanks to the acoustic chaps, that would be great. It makes all the difference between buying (and being a return customer) and not buying.

TheOtherDennis · October 2020

Ah well, we'll see what turns up when it turns up. I can always send it back, I suppose.

Andy79 · October 2020

DB1 said:

Credit where credit's due - I ordered a ES-335 from Peach recently and I must say that it came very well set up. Action not low enough for me, but I'm not normal like that.

On the question of setting up acoustic guitars, I really should commend Coda this week. I was dithering about buying one of the new 50's Gibson LG-2's, because I'm not a very good acoustic player and the thing that puts me off most is high action and stiff string tension.

I talked to John in the acoustic department and expressed my reservations, so he said that it would be set up how I wanted it, with any necessary adjustments to the saddle, nut, 11 gauge strings etc. I decided to go for it and Coda's tech (another John) phoned me just to check that I did actually want the action so low that the strings were almost behind the neck.

Anyway, it came to me the next day and it was really excellent. Obviously, I'll shave the saddle and I've put some balanced tension Newtone strings on and fiddle with it until it's unplayable as usual, but I was very impressed with Coda.

I wouldn't have bought it without that help and advice, so if @DougCoda would pass on my thanks to the acoustic chaps, that would be great. It makes all the difference between buying (and being a return customer) and not buying.

Just a side note. What do you think of those new 50s Gibsons?

DB1 · October 2020

I haven’t spent much time with it, in all honesty, but I like the feel of the LG-2. It feels more rounded than the L-00s, with more bass, but still sounds real for the Blues stuff.

It can can also do the cowboy chords without feeling or sounding boxy.

I like it a lot so far.

GoldenEraGuitars · October 2020

It’s not possible to ask for a “setup“ when you haven’t provided any information for them to work from. As a retailer their QC is exemplary but I think it’s pushing it a little to ask for a “setup” with no detail as to what you prefer. Email them back with a few specifics and I’m sure Tom will do what he can for you.

TheOtherDennis · October 2020

GoldenEraGuitars said:

It’s not possible to ask for a “setup“ when you haven’t provided any information for them to work from. As a retailer their QC is exemplary but I think it’s pushing it a little to ask for a “setup” with no detail as to what you prefer. Email them back with a few specifics and I’m sure Tom will do what he can for you.

I've obviously said the wrong here, in the sense that I used a term incorrectly.

When I said set up, I meant will it be playable in a reasonable way, with a full personal set up to my specifics later on. Of course they can't do a full on "This is for you", I wasn't expecting that and didn't mean it.

I had an email from John Priest last night, who was quite upset about a couple of the comments on here, so I'll be getting back in touch with him to say sorry in a bit.

I apologise for clumsily stirring up a hornet's nest.

lysander · October 2020

Peach is one of the few shops where I feel confident that I won’t receive a lemon because they actually do QC unlike all the box shifters.

Fuengi · October 2020

I ordered an Eastman acoustic from Peach. They highlighted some swirling on the top and offered a discount before dispatch. When it arrived the low E was cut so poorly it kept falling off the board. They paid for a new nut to be cut and fitted by my tech.

They were great to deal with even if the nut was a bit disappointing.

richardhomer · October 2020

TheOtherDennis said:
I had an email from John Priest last night, who was quite upset about a couple of the comments on here, so I'll be getting back in touch with him to say sorry in a bit.

I apologise for clumsily stirring up a hornet's nest.

I’m not surprised he’s done this.

His business replies to your e-mail with complete transparency (ie: ‘We’ll make sure it plays properly but it might not fit your exact requirements’) and you then question the reply publicly, rather than seeking clarification from them.

Reputations in music retail are hard won - and they have one of the best.

I’m not having a pop - but I wish people would consider the impact on a business before posting stuff.

TheOtherDennis · October 2020

It was a bit difficult to question his reply personally, given that I didn't see it until gone 8pm, when he'd clearly gone home for the night.

And what upset John Priest wasn't me, but a few of the other comments here about apparent bad service and experiences.

GoldenEraGuitars · October 2020

I think John is basically saying his salesman should have responded better. I can’t imagine John getting miffed about general comments here given how well respected they are. My own experiences with them have been flawless and more so how good their customer service is AFTER the purchase.

Anyone can take your money, not everyone can handle an post sale issue. Peach are definitely a business you should be happy to deal with

LastMantra · October 2020

I think a guitar should be 'perfectly playable' when bought new. Getting it set up exactly how you like it is a different kettle of fish.

Acoustics should probably have a high action because it makes more sense to be able to lower it than trying to raise it.

GTC · October 2020

I've bought several guitars from Peach via mail order (but not for a couple of years). Each time I informed them of my setup requirements and string choice and what I received was was pretty close, erring on the cautious side for safety.

I've found them very helpful and easy to deal with.

Fuengi · October 2020

GoldenEraGuitars said:

I think John is basically saying his salesman should have responded better. I can’t imagine John getting miffed about general comments here given how well respected they are. My own experiences with them have been flawless and more so how good their customer service is AFTER the purchase.

Anyone can take your money, not everyone can handle an post sale issue. Peach are definitely a business you should be happy to deal with

Spot on. Having had the experience of dealing with them in the past I wouldn't hesitate to use them again, safe in the knowledge that they will do whatever they can to rectify any issues.

Just to clarify, they also offered for me to return the guitar free of any charges. I'm glad I kept it because it's a fantastic instrument.

Whitecat · October 2020

Peach are as good as it gets. Never had a duff guitar from them yet and I buy loads from them “blind”. Never usually give them any setup requirements but they do get inspected and perfected. We also know that John personally rejects the “dogs” and sends them back to the manufacturers - so he’s already filtering out what hits his shop pegs with a certain level of QC.

TheOtherDennis · October 2020

All of which backs up what I'd heard before, so I can only apologise again to them for having misunderstood and caused an unnecessary fuss.

I look forward to the Larrivee's arrivee* in due course.

*Yes, I did that deliberately, coat is already on.

pjf · October 2020

TheOtherDennis said:

GoldenEraGuitars said:

It’s not possible to ask for a “setup“ when you haven’t provided any information for them to work from. As a retailer their QC is exemplary but I think it’s pushing it a little to ask for a “setup” with no detail as to what you prefer. Email them back with a few specifics and I’m sure Tom will do what he can for you.

I've obviously said the wrong here, in the sense that I used a term incorrectly.

When I said set up, I meant will it be playable in a reasonable way, with a full personal set up to my specifics later on. Of course they can't do a full on "This is for you", I wasn't expecting that and didn't mean it.

I had an email from John Priest last night, who was quite upset about a couple of the comments on here, so I'll be getting back in touch with him to say sorry in a bit.

I apologise for clumsily stirring up a hornet's nest.

Your second para here is what I understood from your OP (although maybe I’m wrong as well!?).

Of course it’s possible to set a guitar up without tailoring it to someone’s specific requirements. The difference is between carrying out the set up on a ‘numbers-only’ basis and taking someone’s playing style and preferences into account. In the former scenario, you can’t blame a tech for erring on the side of caution, a prime example being (as someone else mentioned in this thread) by leaving the action slightly high as it’s easier to take it down than back up. But basic set up actions such as checking the intonation, neck relief, that the nut slots have been filed correctly, even ensuring that frets are level and properly crowned – I suspect these can be done on any acoustic without needing to know a player’s preferences. After all, who wants a poorly-intonated guitar?

You could consider the above examples as factory QC issues. I think that’s how Peach’s original response to you and the reference to “factory standards” has to be understood – ie, if the factory has missed set-up item X, we’ll fix it before sending.

Just to prod the hornet’s nest once more, I really doubt there is the huge variance in set up preferences that some have alluded to here. You can set a guitar up but leave the saddle high, and 90% of players will then take it down to as low as possible without buzzing.

DavidR · October 2020

Bought my Martin OM28 from Peach in 2018. Great shop and staff.

Sorry to sound like a testimonial but we badly need our big stores to stay open so this is an attempt to big them up! They deserve it too. Not only was I guided to my OM28, which I pretty much knew I was going to buy (and did) but I was left alone to give it a try out and then given a very nice tour of the shop by one of the senior sales staff and had a go on a couple of their resonators and their excellent selection of Lowdens. Great fun. 10/10 customer service.

By the way the Martin's action was on the high side but all Martins are shipped like that, the logic being that actions are quite easy to lower to individual choice but much less easy to raise. Nothing wrong with neck relief, just needed a little sanding off the bottom of the saddle which I know enough to do myself. A lot of guitars ship like that. With some acoustic makes you can almost assume they will be like that.

sunshinewelly · October 2020

Peach to be fair are excellent and will do a set up if you ask them to. Obvioulsy there is no such thing as a generic set up unless they know exactly what you want. I have made 2 expensive aucostic purchases from peach in last 4 months and both were set up based on what i had asked for. Andertons wont do that for the customer.

hollywoodrox · October 2020

Their website states

From meticulously inspecting each piece of equipment, professionally setting up each guitar, tracking every package, and delivering the best after-sales customer service,

professionally setting up each guitar . I was considering buying a jem jr from them at one time
and knowing how variable they can be in quality I was considering peach to get me a good one and set it up. I did t get one in the end. Still tempted though. I need a neon pink guitar

if you go to their ‘about ‘ page it clearly states a setup like in the paragraph I copy and pasted above.

hollywoodrox · October 2020

You can set up a guitar to a Certain basic standard Like fender have a basic recommended list of settings if you get those Haynes manuals etc .

A sort of setup as a great starting point leaving finer adjustments to a players preferences but making sure it is at least playable to an expected level out of the box . I know what I mean anyway

hollywoodrox · October 2020

This

LastMantra said:

I think a guitar should be 'perfectly playable' when bought new. Getting it set up exactly how you like it is a different kettle of fish.

Acoustics should probably have a high action because it makes more sense to be able to lower it than trying to raise it.

hollywoodrox · October 2020

I’ve had to go and look at the jem juniors now, even though I’m skint at the moment .

pjf · October 2020

sunshinewelly said:

Peach to be fair are excellent and will do a set up if you ask them to. Obvioulsy there is no such thing as a generic set up unless they know exactly what you want. I have made 2 expensive aucostic purchases from peach in last 4 months and both were set up based on what i had asked for. Andertons wont do that for the customer.

I don’t want to sound like a smart arse but if they know exactly what you want, it wouldn’t be a generic set up – it’d be a player-specific one!

Andy79 · October 2020

Smart arse

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