Spectrum Musical Instruments has compiled the most often asked questions with answers for you to view. If you have a specific topic that you do not see addressed here, most likely it is answered at www.rockhousemethod.com. This web site is an incredible resource that has been included with your purchase at no additional charge. If you still do not see an answer to your question please email us at customerservice@Ashleyintl.com or call 877-914-1800 . We will respond as quickly as possible.

How do I obtain warranty service?

If you require warranty service in the U.S., contact customerservice@ashleyintl.com or call 877-914-1800  to evaluate the situation. A Return Authorization number will be issued if the instrument meets the criteria of our return policy. The consumer will be responsible for getting the instrument to our Warranty Center. If the instrument is shipped, freight and insurance must be prepaid. All returns to Spectrum Musical Instruments must have a return authorization- any shipments that do not have authorization will he refused.

Only authorized Spectrum Musical Instrument service centers may perform warranty service - any service performed by unauthorized persons will void your warranty. Spectrum disclaims liability for defects or damages caused by service performed by unauthorized persons and all non-warranty service not performed by Spectrum.

When contacting Spectrum via email you should include a complete description of the problem. No representative or other person is authorized to assume for Spectrum Musical Instruments any liability except as stated above. For further information contact:

Spectrum Musical Instruments
PO Box 1312
Pinellas Park FL 33780

(877) 914-1800 

Is the warranty transferable?

The Warranty is extended to the original retail purchaser only and may not be transferred or assigned to subsequent owners.

I did not receive an owner's manual with my instrument - is one available?

Every Spectrum Musical Instrument owners manual is available as a PDF file on our Corporate web site at www.AshleyIntl.com.

Care and Maintenance Tips

Storage
One of the first things to consider for your guitar care routine, is how you will protect your instrument in order to prevent physical damage. A properly fitted guitar case is one of the best ways to do this. Whether you're traveling or simply storing it, a case is like having a guitar care insurance plan and will help to safeguard your investment. Keeping your guitar in the case when you are not using it will prevent it from being accidentally bumped, stepped on, scratched, nicked, or otherwise mistreated.

Frequent Use
If you are frequently performing or teaching, a good guitar stand is also an excellent guitar care idea. This will enable you to set your "axe" in a safe place ready to play at a moments notice. Be careful to avoid intense sunlight or heat as these can ruin a guitar pretty quickly. Exposing your guitar to these elements may cause the wood to become dry, brittle, cracked, twisted, or warped. Once this occurs the bridge could start to separate from the body rendering it completely useless. The best guitar care procedure, whenever possible, is to keep it at room temperature (between 55-65 degrees) and steer clear of extreme climate changes.

Mositure
If you have an acoustic guitar you might also want to use a humidifying system. Keep it inside the soundhole when you are not using it so that the wood doesn't dry out. This is especially important if you live in a hot, dry climate.
Cleaning

Regular Cleaning
Simply wiping down the neck and body after each use will not only keep it looking good, it will also sound better. Over time the oils from your fingertips begin to accumulate on the surface of the strings and they lose their brilliance. Try to maintain the habit of wiping down your strings with a soft cotton cloth after each use. This will help to limit corrosion and extend their life.

Changing Strings
When you notice your strings are showing signs of wear and sounding dull, it's time to change them. How often you have to change your strings will generally depend on how much you play your guitar. Some professionals put new strings on their guitar before every performance. This could mean changing them every day or even more! Of course, you won't need to do it that often. Perhaps every 1-3 months. This is where you will have to exercise your own judgment and some common sense to decide what works best for you. If you are in the habit of cleaning them after each use, they will tend to last longer.

My instrument has small cracks in the finish – what causes this? Is it covered under the warranty?

This is known as 'finish checking'. This is a result of the instrument being subjected to a rapid change in temperature or humidity. In most cases it happens in winter when a chilled instrument is exposed to warm air. The cracks are a result of the wood expanding faster than the lacquer. Since we have no control over the environmental conditions surrounding the use of the instrument we cannot cover this type of situation under our warranty.

What is “stand damage”?

Stand damage occurs when the chemicals in the rubber used on guitar stands react with the nitrocellulose lacquer used to finish our instruments. It can range from a slight discoloration to the finish to actually "eating away" the lacquer topcoat. Unfortunately, this situation is not covered under your warranty. The safest way to prevent this from happening is to cover the rubber parts of your stand with a soft cotton cloth (use guitar polishing cloths). Guitar stands should only be used to 'temporarily' store your instrument, such as on a gig. The safest place to store your instrument is in its case.

What can I do to prevent tarnish on the hardware?

The tarnish on hardware occurs due to a reaction between the plating and moisture, either in the air or from perspiration. Keep in mind that all hardware will tarnish eventually- it is not a sign that your hardware is "cheap." In some areas there is low moisture content in the air so the tarnishing process will be slower, but it will eventually happen. You can slow down the tarnishing process by wiping down the instrument every time you play it! This one step will add life to the hardware and slow down the tarnishing process. Also, make sure you store the instrument in its' case to prevent it from exposure to high moisture content level in the air.

Do you have an online warranty registration?

Yes – you may register your Spectrum Musical instrument at www.AshleyIntl.com