Vela S2 - Purchase - Return?

[TrapperKeeper2k]

Hello,

Bought a brand new Vela S2 from Guitar Center. When I opened it, it seemed there where lots of white streaks (polish) on the neck. They offered to clean it up, and looks like most came off, put still here and there there are white spots within the grain. I can also see a white spot on the inside of the guitar (also polish?). The cellaphane pickguard was mostly taken off (There were the parts surrounding the knobs and switch and pickups).

It also came in a SE bag (It's not an SE model, but an S2!?)

Is this on par for PRS guitars???? Really thinking about returning it, and sad I didn't get the NGD feeling.

 

[bodia]

Hello,

Bought a brand new Vela S2 from Guitar Center. When I opened it, it seemed there where lots of white streaks (polish) on the neck. They offered to clean it up, and looks like most came off, put still here and there there are white spots within the grain. I can also see a white spot on the inside of the guitar (also polish?). The cellaphane pickguard was mostly taken off (There were the parts surrounding the knobs and switch and pickups).

It also came in a SE bag (It's not an SE model, but an S2!?)

Is this on par for PRS guitars???? Really thinking about returning it, and sad I didn't get the NGD feeling.

The polish is normal on the necks. Not sure how much was on there, but it is typical to see some. Here's an Artist Package 594 Hollowbody II from 2021. You can see some in the pores of the ebony fretboard.

As for the rest, I'd blame GC.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

The polish is normal on the necks. Not sure how much was on there, but it is typical to see some. Here's an Artist Package 594 Hollowbody II from 2021. You can see some in the pores of the ebony fretboard.

As for the rest, I'd blame GC.

^what he said^

 

[Russ73]

I bought a few used not considered new prs from gc and they always arrived with prs bags but the wrong bag lol...my vela came with a core silversky bag but it was ok...if youre not thrilled return it....daves guitar shop in LA Crosse has a bunch of Velas and I guarantee you it will come top Notch condition with the right bag and the right tools....did you buy used or new??

 

[Xtcclassic]

This sounds like someone else had previously bought it and returned it, and had tried to polish it while they had it. The SE bag is standard though, I got the same bag with my Vela that I bought new from Chicago Music Exchange. I don’t think there is a specific S2 bag. I wouldn’t return the guitar unless you don’t like the way it plays or sounds.

 

[Roving_Drummer]

I had a similar experience thru Sweetwater. When I ordered the vela my rep gave me a discount off the price without me even asking. When it arrived, it was clear it had been played more than just by a tech. The protective plastic was falling off. Swirls around the knobs and pick scratches on the protective plastic. And the documentation that comes with it was bent in half. I was a little bummed because when you pay that much for a new guitar, it should be new. For the first day and a half I didn't like the guitar much. I was 100% sending it back before my 30 days was up. Half way thru day two I realized I loved the guitar. I pulled the remaining plastic off and said you're not gong anywhere. Then about 3 days before my 30 day trial was up, the bridge pickup started cutting out. I called Sweetwater and they told me to send it back. I really didn't want to put my favorite guitar in a box and ship it. I brought it to a local luthier, and he called me the next day and said he just had to spray the tone pot due to some corrosion and it's been perfect since. He also said the wiring was some of the cleanest he'd ever seen. He didn't want to give it back to me lol.

My advice is to give it an honest try. Work that thing hard. I almost didn't because of a bad mindset.

 

[Xtcclassic]

The Vela is a great guitar. Honestly, it’s my favorite guitar in the current lineup by a mile.

 

[theDeepender]

Hello,

Bought a brand new Vela S2 from Guitar Center. When I opened it, it seemed there where lots of white streaks (polish) on the neck. They offered to clean it up, and looks like most came off, put still here and there there are white spots within the grain. I can also see a white spot on the inside of the guitar (also polish?). The cellaphane pickguard was mostly taken off (There were the parts surrounding the knobs and switch and pickups).

It also came in a SE bag (It's not an SE model, but an S2!?)

Is this on par for PRS guitars???? Really thinking about returning it, and sad I didn't get the NGD feeling.

That is most likely a resell and not a new guitar.
Yes. Unless it is the most fantastic guitar you’ve ever played, return it quickly.

 

[aphantomvaper]

My Vela came new but in a PRS sig bag not an SE.

You should really be happy with the guitar. Return it if its not making you feel good.

That's it, I've added Vela to my accursed spell check!

 

[theDeepender]

My Vela came new but n a PRS sig bag not an SE.

You should really be happy with the guitar. Return it if its not making you feel good.

That's it, I've added Vela to my accursed spell check!

Spell check is my nemesis…

 

[Xtcclassic]

That is most likely a resell and not a new guitar.
Yes. Unless it is the most fantastic guitar you’ve ever played, return it quickly.

Hard disagree on this one. If you like the guitar, keep it. If you want a guitar that no one else has touched, order a guitar from a dealer that doesn’t allow returns. If you want the option to return a guitar if you don’t like it, then the understanding is that you might be buying a guitar that someone else decided that they didn’t like. If you expect a discount because of this, then look for a dealer that charges a substantial restocking fee for returning a guitar, and be willing to pay the restocking fee if you don’t like the guitar.

 

[Broseph]

If the shrink wrap on the pickguard looked clean you are likely good. If the wrap was shriveled let any dents/scratches I would demand at least a partial refund. Mistaken gig bag and cases happen all the time. The SE gig bad ain’t terrible. I wish they stuck with the silver sky gig bag for all the guitars not in a case. It’s sturdy and very decent

 

[SamIV]

I bought all of My S2’s used, but all came in a PRS gig bag not marked with an SE on them. Latest was a 2021 model.

 

[SinSir]

Maybe it's just me but the plastic removed from the pickguard and polish in the grain wouldn't ever be a reason for me to even consider a return.

The se bag would bother me, but I'd bet GC would fix that. They have tons (atleast for sure used to) of bags and cases in the back. They may even give a used a hardshell case of some sort for the troubles, who knows until you contact them.

 

[Ovibos]

This sounds like someone else had previously bought it and returned it, and had tried to polish it while they had it. The SE bag is standard though, I got the same bag with my Vela that I bought new from Chicago Music Exchange. I don’t think there is a specific S2 bag. I wouldn’t return the guitar unless you don’t like the way it plays or sounds.

No, the Vela comes with the 'core' gig bag with the signature on it - not SE.

GC f'd it up.

 

[Ovibos]

Is this on par for PRS guitars???? Really thinking about returning it, and sad I didn't get the NGD feeling.

It's on par for Guitar Center.

PRS delivers stellar instruments and has no control over what the dealers do with them, including selling returned ones as 'new.'

 

[Alnus Rubra]

Do GC sell the bag as extra?

 

[Ovibos]

Do GC sell the bag as extra?

Sorta. They don’t always list it as included and then you have to bug them for it.

Also, they probably lost it and had to scramble to find one.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

That’s pretty low, as PRS supply the guitar in the bag!!

 

[Sybo]

Do GC sell the bag as extra?

Sometimes you would think so……..