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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | I have been getting a ton of inquiries about FRG guitars lately.
FRG stands for factory reconditioned guitar.
These guitars have never left the factory and usually have some sort of cosmetic flaw to be rated as FRG. Sometimes the guitars had some minor problem that was corrected at the factory that made them not salable as new. the last scenario would be a discontinued model or overstock or something like that.
The warranty on these guitars is 5 years ONLY.
Now if the FRG sticker is removed or if you were sold an FRG guitar with the sticker removed it voids the warranty. So buyers do not remove the sticker dealers cannot remove the stickers.
The Kaman service department keeps a record of serial numbers and guitars sold as FRG are recorded. If you ever send the guitar back to the factory for service you can be denied service.
Unfortunately there are some dealers and individuals who may find it easy to remove the stickers and sell a guitar and represent it as new full warranty. Unfortunately this is not the case.
Caveat emptor!!! |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Gee, I always thought it was
Free Replacement Guaranteed !!
Al does bring up a great point...some of the low ball offers could be an FRG - with the label taken off.
Guys and gals, pick your dealer carefully...to some, once the credit card charge is processed, on to the next customer.
As an aside, Tuppy and others that have bought an FRG from Al have found no imperfection or damage. Sometimes a way to save a few dollars. From what I can see, most problems with a guitar would surface w/in the 5yrs. |
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Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 1126
Location: Omaha, NE | Makes me wonder why the factory doesn't mark the FRG's in a more indellible manner.
If a potential buyer is concerned about this, is there a way to verify the serial number with the factory before the purchase? |
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Joined:
June 2004
Posts: 580
Location: NW NJ | I bought an FRG 1868LX from Al a year or so ago - perfect, perfect, perfect! |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | Originally posted by Omaha:
If a potential buyer is concerned about this, is there a way to verify the serial number with the factory before the purchase? I imagine you can call the service depatment and have them run the s/n.
Basically you have to trust where you buy. sometimes a deal is not a deal. |
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Joined:
April 2005
Posts: 331
Location: San Angelo, Texas | I've owned several FRG's, and have a 1866 now that I got from Waskel...great guitar with nothing that either of us could find wrong with it.
I would never try and sell one and not disclose it or try to remove a sticker or cover it up. Besides, anyone that KNOWS what an FRG is, or goes through the trouble to find out, comes to realize that by and large they are great guitars that you can save a buck or two on. And like Tony said, most major issues are going to come up in the first 5 years...except maybe pre-amp blow ups...
I got to go tend to my burns now.... |
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FRG guitars
