Tone Guard Strikes Again!

Talk about modding or building your own guitar from scratch.
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friendshipmaster
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Tone Guard Strikes Again!

Post by friendshipmaster » Tue Sep 12, 2017 4:41 pm

I heard there were problems in the beginning but I ordered a gold guard two weeks ago, no shipping info, no email response, phone message is full... any ideas??

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Larry Mal
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Re: Tone Guard Strikes Again!

Post by Larry Mal » Tue Sep 12, 2017 5:00 pm

What a long time, but whatever you do, be aware of when your statute of limitations runs out. Like, when does PayPal draw the line against getting your money back? I don't remember offhand, but it's time for you to be very familiar.
Back in those days, everyone knew that if you were talking about Destiny's Child, you were talking about Beyonce, LaTavia, LeToya, and Larry.

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friendshipmaster
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Re: Tone Guard Strikes Again!

Post by friendshipmaster » Tue Sep 12, 2017 8:25 pm

I don't want want to get PayPal involved because I want the pickguard! Wayne seemed like a decent guy I talked to him on the phone a couple times when I worked at Rhoney guitars.. when can somebody else make a 9 hole gold guard that's not a flake!?!?!?

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Shadoweclipse13
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Re: Tone Guard Strikes Again!

Post by Shadoweclipse13 » Tue Sep 12, 2017 8:55 pm

friendshipmaster wrote:I don't want want to get PayPal involved because I want the pickguard! Wayne seemed like a decent guy I talked to him on the phone a couple times when I worked at Rhoney guitars.. when can somebody else make a 9 hole gold guard that's not a flake!?!?!?
I've not dealt with him myself, and won't given the amount of things I've read about him around here, but you're certainly not the first person to either not get a guard, or have it take a terribly long time to get. The guy seems to be a flake. The sad thing is, it seems that he hasn't learned his lessons over the years about how to treat and communicate with customers.

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=60271&hilit=toneguard
viewtopic.php?f=12&t=86831&p=1258857&hi ... d#p1258857
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=62269&p=900880&hili ... rd#p900880
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=60271&p=884217&hili ... rd#p884217

These are just from the basic search function around here. I'd bet you'll find more from other guitar sites. It's your call, but a good case of "buyer beware".

Also, from my cursory search, I found this interesting tidbit which I did not know:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=98831&p=1367094&hil ... d#p1367094
Pickup Switching Mad Scientist
http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=104282&p=1438384#p1438384

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Larry Mal
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Re: Tone Guard Strikes Again!

Post by Larry Mal » Wed Sep 13, 2017 3:40 am

I'm not saying you should get Pay Pal involved now. Just made sure you do it before your period of coverage runs out, or you might get nothing at all and be out the money.

I also won't deal with him anymore.
Back in those days, everyone knew that if you were talking about Destiny's Child, you were talking about Beyonce, LaTavia, LeToya, and Larry.

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loveinathens
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Re: Tone Guard Strikes Again!

Post by loveinathens » Wed Sep 13, 2017 10:23 am

Oh wow, I thought he shaped up.

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phutyle
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Re: Tone Guard Strikes Again!

Post by phutyle » Fri Sep 15, 2017 6:39 am

I ordered a black strat pickguard from them on August 8th. I got the shipping notification later that day, and the pickguard arrived with me in Ireland within 2 weeks (I don't know exactly when because I was away during that time). I was pleasantly surprised, given what I'd read previously.

However, when I opened up the package, the part down at the controls was bent, and there was some damage to the bottom side edge of the pickguard - like it has been heavily filed or machined, or dragged along the ground for a protracted period. As this is an aluminium pickguard, it must have taken some force or effort to damage it like that. Here's a photo of the damaged bit on the guitar:

Image

The envelope was damaged too, so I assume it happened in transit. I was able to bend it back into shape, and the damage isn't too noticable so I decided to hang on to it rather than go though a protracted intercontinental returns process with a company that doesn't have the best communication or customer service reputation. Plus, I was planning on severely modifying the pickguard anyway (enlarging pickguard routes and cutting a bevel).

I have to say, the pickguard wasn't very well protected in the packaging. It was basically just in a light cardboard envelope, with another sheet of cardboard in its and sealed in a light plastic bag. I bought a Fender gold anodized P Bass pickguard from the Thomann in Germany before, and it arrive in perfect condition and very well packaged in a box with padding.

I don't think I'd bother risking ordering something from Toneguard again.

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Re: Tone Guard Strikes Again!

Post by mcatano » Sun Sep 17, 2017 7:31 pm

I bought a gold guard from tone guard a few weeks ago. I emailed the address listed on the site to see if the item I wanted was in stock, wayne got back to me within a few hours, said it was ready to ship and could go out that day. I sent payment via paypal, had a tracking number before EOD and the guard in my hands 2 days later in perfect condition.

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Re: Tone Guard Strikes Again!

Post by Fiddy » Mon Sep 18, 2017 7:40 am

So he's an inconsistent fool then?

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friendshipmaster
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Re: Tone Guard Strikes Again!

Post by friendshipmaster » Thu Oct 19, 2017 10:05 pm

mcatano wrote:
Sun Sep 17, 2017 7:31 pm
I bought a gold guard from tone guard a few weeks ago. I emailed the address listed on the site to see if the item I wanted was in stock, wayne got back to me within a few hours, said it was ready to ship and could go out that day. I sent payment via paypal, had a tracking number before EOD and the guard in my hands 2 days later in perfect condition.
Seriously!?

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mcatano
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Re: Tone Guard Strikes Again!

Post by mcatano » Tue Oct 24, 2017 4:17 pm

friendshipmaster wrote:
Thu Oct 19, 2017 10:05 pm
mcatano wrote:
Sun Sep 17, 2017 7:31 pm
I bought a gold guard from tone guard a few weeks ago. I emailed the address listed on the site to see if the item I wanted was in stock, wayne got back to me within a few hours, said it was ready to ship and could go out that day. I sent payment via paypal, had a tracking number before EOD and the guard in my hands 2 days later in perfect condition.
Seriously!?
Yep. I had heard the stories about long wait times, so I figured it was worth checking to see if they had gold vintage/AVRIs in stock. The whole transaction was incredibly professional and super easy.

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Stam
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Re: Tone Guard Strikes Again!

Post by Stam » Wed Oct 25, 2017 6:45 pm

Sorry to hear it hasn't been a smooth transaction.

I had read a few other unfortunate stories on this forum, but given that it was probably the best option for an anodized gold guard I took a leap of faith.
In my case, he was very responsive (same day reply) to all my inquiries. Had the guard in stock, shipped very fast and I received it (arrived with no flaws) within a week. Just thought it'd be worth sharing what seems to be a very different customer experience but perhaps I was just lucky.

Hope it works out in the end!

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Re: Tone Guard Strikes Again!

Post by andy_tchp » Fri Oct 27, 2017 11:06 pm

A shame that when buying a new gold guard there's no alternative than doing business with a known scammer/con-artist.
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Re: Tone Guard Strikes Again!

Post by AtomicPumpkin » Sat Oct 28, 2017 7:39 am

I recently emailed him regarding stock of black and bare aluminum AVRI Jazzmaster pickguards and he got back to me within 24 hours stating they were in stock. Haven't ordered one yet, but may soon without hesitation. I will probably send another email beforehand just to make sure he's quick to respond and that the item is in stock.

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Re: Tone Guard Strikes Again!

Post by invisible man » Sat Nov 04, 2017 6:41 pm

AtomicPumpkin wrote:
Sat Oct 28, 2017 7:39 am
I recently emailed him regarding stock of black and bare aluminum AVRI Jazzmaster pickguards and he got back to me within 24 hours stating they were in stock. Haven't ordered one yet, but may soon without hesitation. I will probably send another email beforehand just to make sure he's quick to respond and that the item is in stock.
Hmmm, I've been thinking about black or bare aluminum for my road worn JM, might do this too.
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