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General Questions
General Questions
- Where are you located?
- What’s up with your name?!
- Why should I buy from Hole in the Wood
- Do you keep all of you inventory in-house?
- Is there a minimum value to order?
- How long will my shipment take?
- How are my shipping rates determined?
- Where does Hole in the Wood ship to?
- Will my orders be insured?
General Questions
Where are you located?
Hole in the Wood is based in the small Chicago Suburb of Saint Charles, Illinois, located about 45 minutes straight west of the city.
What's up with your name?!
We've gotten plenty of responses both good and bad on our business's name, so before any rumors start, we think we better explain. The name of the business is both a cheeky reference to from one of Dave's favorite bands - The Dead Milkmen, and a take on what Dave believes to be the feature that truly defines the acoustic guitar as an instrument - the guitar soundhole.
Why should I buy from Hole in the Wood?
We do not have the deep pockets that the big-box retailers have - we freely admit that. But time and time again our customers come back to us. Why? We like to think it's because we take the time to understand our customers and what they want. As certified acoustic guitar nuts, we know about the questions and concerns of acoustic musicians first hand. And while most big-box music shops go for the jugular with the "Quick Sale", we really make an effort to be transparent so our customers fully understand what they are buying.
In addition, the instruments and accessories we offer are some of best value brands available in the market today bottom line. We've tried them, we use them at stage and home, and we absolutely love 'em. We're so sure you will too that we offer a 30-Day Money Back Guarantee on ANY item we sell.
- Making money is great; but if it comes at the expense of great customer service, or selling you something you don't need, then that quick sale is short lived. It just makes good business sense!
In addition, the instruments and accessories we offer are some of best value brands available in the market today bottom line. We've tried them, we use them at stage and home, and we absolutely love 'em. We're so sure you will too that we offer a 30-Day Money Back Guarantee on ANY item we sell.
- Making money is great; but if it comes at the expense of great customer service, or selling you something you don't need, then that quick sale is short lived. It just makes good business sense!
Do you keep all of your inventory in-house?
Simply put, no. While we do keep a healthy array of guitars and accessories in-stock in our Saint Charles location, a good portion of the inventory seen on the website in housed at a central warehouse. These items do take 3 - 5 days to ship to our location, where it is quality checked and sent to the customer.
Is there a minimum value to order?
Due to recent increased shipping costs from all of our carriers, Hole in the Wood currently has a $75.00 minimum order for orders.
This is a general policy, if you'd like to inquire about an exception, please call us directly at 1-800-695-5013 or visit our contact us page.
This is a general policy, if you'd like to inquire about an exception, please call us directly at 1-800-695-5013 or visit our contact us page.
Common questions we get with regards to shipping:
How long will my shipment take?
The arrival date-range of each item is determined by adding the minimum of the processing time to the minimum of the shipping time and the maximum of the processing time to the maximum of the shipping time.
For instance, if you have purchased an acoustic guitar that does not have the "Quick Ship" option, it takes 3 to 5 business days to ship to our shop, 1 to 2 business days to quality check, tune and box before shipping to you. If you had elected USPS Standard Shipping (3 to 5 business days), the guitar would arrive in 7 to 12 business days.
These standard shipping times apply to items being sent to the 48 contiguous states. For Standard Shipping to Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico, add 2-4 days. We do not generally ship to APO / FPO addresses.
We are of course at the mercy of our parcel carriers after your shipment leaves our store; however, if there is any change on the promised arrival date, we will be in constant contact with you until your order arrives.
For instance, if you have purchased an acoustic guitar that does not have the "Quick Ship" option, it takes 3 to 5 business days to ship to our shop, 1 to 2 business days to quality check, tune and box before shipping to you. If you had elected USPS Standard Shipping (3 to 5 business days), the guitar would arrive in 7 to 12 business days.
Items with the "Quick Ship" logo displayed on the product page have already been quality checked, tuned and set up for quicker delivery. If we use the example above, the only shipping time involved would be the 3 to 5 business days it takes to ship by USPS Standard Shipping.
If only part of your order is covered by Quick Ship, we will normally ship these items first with the rest of the order shipping by the standard times. We will, however, contact you first in these instances to find out if you'd like your order shipped separately or together.
The customer will not be liable for any additional shipping expenses incurred in these instances.
These standard shipping times apply to items being sent to the 48 contiguous states. For Standard Shipping to Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico, add 2-4 days. We do not generally ship to APO / FPO addresses.
We are of course at the mercy of our parcel carriers after your shipment leaves our store; however, if there is any change on the promised arrival date, we will be in constant contact with you until your order arrives.
How are my shipping rates determined?
Shipping rates are determined from our store location in Saint Charles, Illinois (60174) using the shipping fee structure at the USPS and FedEx. There will be no additional charge from Hole in the Wood.
Hole in the Wood will not be responsible to collect or calculate any Taxes or Duties outside of the United States of America. If you are an overseas customer your purchase may be subject to local VAT's (Value Added Tax). It is the purchaser's responsibility to obtain information on Tariffs, Duties or Taxes that may or may not be assessed on their respective purchase.
Hole in the Wood will not be responsible to collect or calculate any Taxes or Duties outside of the United States of America. If you are an overseas customer your purchase may be subject to local VAT's (Value Added Tax). It is the purchaser's responsibility to obtain information on Tariffs, Duties or Taxes that may or may not be assessed on their respective purchase.
Where does Hole in the Wood ship to?
Although in general, Hole in the Wood ships only within the Continental United States and Canada, international orders may be handled on an order-by-order basis. If approved, an adjusted shipping fee will be provided for all overseas inquiries/purchases. We do not ship to P.O. boxes, AFO or APO.
Will my orders be insured?
Once received, tracking information will be provided to insure safe delivery of your item. In addition, appropriate insurance is automatically added to your order from our shipping carriers.
Walden Acoustic Guitar Questions
What is the Difference between Walden’s Standard, Natura, SupraNatura and Concordia Series Guitars?
Concordia Series
New for 2009, the Concordia lineup of Walden Guitars are similar to the SupraNatura and Natura series, only with a thin high-gloss Poly finish (rather than the thin, semi-gloss nitro finish). Additionally slightly different appointments are employed like a maple and wood rosette as well as smaller fretboard markers.
Updated electronics (Fishman Aero+) have been chosen on the 500 through 700 series Concordia Acoustic Electric models.
The nomenclature of the Concordia models are the same as the Natura and SupraNatura series except for a “C” in front of the model number. For example: The CD550 is a 500 series Conordia Series Dreadnought.
Standard Series
Available only in a Dreadnought design, Walden's "Standard" Series of gloss-finished guitars are built with plywood (rather than solid-wood) bodies, Mahogany necks, and solid Rosewood fingerboards. Appointments include Rosewood bridges, 2-ring inlaid rosette and a fully-bound body. All standard series guitars are laced with D'Addario EXP strings.
Natura Series
The Natura Series acoustic guitars from Walden are available in four different body styles (T-Travel, D-Dreadnought, G-Grand Auditorium and O-Orchestra Model) and are designated into three classifications; the 500, 600 and 700 series.
Supra Natura Series
The SupraNatura Series of acoustic guitars from Walden are available in two different body styles (D-Dreadnought, G-Grand Auditorium) and are designated into three classifications; the 1000, 2000 and 3000 series.
New for 2009, the Concordia lineup of Walden Guitars are similar to the SupraNatura and Natura series, only with a thin high-gloss Poly finish (rather than the thin, semi-gloss nitro finish). Additionally slightly different appointments are employed like a maple and wood rosette as well as smaller fretboard markers.
Updated electronics (Fishman Aero+) have been chosen on the 500 through 700 series Concordia Acoustic Electric models.
The nomenclature of the Concordia models are the same as the Natura and SupraNatura series except for a “C” in front of the model number. For example: The CD550 is a 500 series Conordia Series Dreadnought.
Standard Series
Available only in a Dreadnought design, Walden's "Standard" Series of gloss-finished guitars are built with plywood (rather than solid-wood) bodies, Mahogany necks, and solid Rosewood fingerboards. Appointments include Rosewood bridges, 2-ring inlaid rosette and a fully-bound body. All standard series guitars are laced with D'Addario EXP strings.
Natura Series
The Natura Series acoustic guitars from Walden are available in four different body styles (T-Travel, D-Dreadnought, G-Grand Auditorium and O-Orchestra Model) and are designated into three classifications; the 500, 600 and 700 series.
- 500 Series Walden Guitars are the starting solid topped acoustics Walden offers. High-grade all solid wood soundboards, Mahogany necks, and Indian Rosewood bridges and fingerboards guarantee rich, dynamic sounding guitars that improve the more you play. All Natura bodies and necks are fully bound and incorporate the understated elegance of tasteful trim design. A pearl Walden logo, 2-ring inlaid rosette, and distinctive Walden headstock and bridge grace every Natura Guitar.
In the U.S. tradition, neck and body are finished separately with satin Nitrocellulose “Nitro” lacquer and joined by a hand-fit, bolt-on neck joint. This neck design results in a clean transition between the neck and body and makes for easy future adjustment. Structurally, each Natura guitar is incorporated with a scalloped-X, spruce-braced soundboard, and a 2-way adjustable truss rod. Natura series guitars use plastic parts for the end pins, nut and saddle. All Natura series guitars are laced with D'Addario EXP strings. - 600 Series Walden Guitars incorporate improved appointments from the 500 series including a fully bound neck and headstock, gold tuners, and an abalone rosette.
- 700 Series Walden Guitars incorporate a solid wood back on the guitar body with improved appointments from the 600 series including Tortoise Buttons on the tuners.
The SupraNatura Series of acoustic guitars from Walden are available in two different body styles (D-Dreadnought, G-Grand Auditorium) and are designated into three classifications; the 1000, 2000 and 3000 series.
- 1000 Series SupraNaturas are completely hand made and expertly detailed with all-wood binding and trim, wood inlaid rosettes, wood bridges and wood end pins. A modern thin neck allows smooth execution of fingerstyle techniques, and inlaid rails of carbon graphite ensure both the stability and the sonic balance of this narrow-neck profile. Fully compensated bone saddles and bone nuts contribute to the SupraNatura's exceptional depth, sustain and complexity. All SupraNatura Series guitars are laced with D'Addario EXP strings.
- 2000 Series Walden Guitars improves from the 1000 series acoustics by including solid wood on the top back and sides of the body.
- The 3000 series represents Walden’s premier acoustic guitars and are custom designed by the head luthier and owner of Walden - Jonathan Lee. Each 3000 series acoustics feature Solid Indian Rosewood for the back and sides and Walden’s top grade woods for the soundboards.
