Crooked Headstock

[BONES]

After giving my new Trad Pro a closer look, I noticed the headstock is a little twisted or crooked. It seems to be making the whole upper half of the neck twisted or crooked..

Is this "twist" normal in the headstock? My swamp ash Studio doesn't have any sort of twists or bends. Aside from a couple dings from my necklaces, (you can actually lightly drag your fingernail across the surface of the body and leave a massive scar) and a worn away spot from where I plant my finger, she's perfect! For being such a light weight, fragile, lil peach, she's a TANK!!

Normally I would just go to Guitar Center (where I got the guitar) with questions like this but with recent problems I've had with other guitars, I feel like they're sick of dealing with me. The first Trad Pro I purchased had scrape marks on the cut away side. GC ordered a new one (that customers hadn't yet abused like the first) which came with even worse scrapes on both sides. I returned it for a third which STILL has the scrapes. I was ready to just accept the scrapes as "the norm" and move on until I noticed the twist in the headstock.

The guitar plays fine, it holds tune, it doesn't buzz, it's beautiful! I'm just wondering if I should be concerned. I just want my brand new, expensive guitar to be perfect. I am very particular with my gear. It's actually kind of cool having a Les Paul with birth defects!

[diceman]

Return it and order a guitar from a reputable dealer. Or, have them get yet another one and make it right. Guitar Center doesn't screen what they get - they just hang it on the wall like inventory at Walmart.

My local shop does a full bench test and setup on each new guitar they get - and Gibson gets many guitars headed right back their way within a day or two of arriving at the shop.

Everyone finding all of these issues surprise me some - but that is probably because I never see the "losers" as my local shop owner won't accept them to begin with.

Return that guitar. Don't settle for one with issues.

I'll bet you wish you still had that first one now, don't you?

[sktn77a]

Remember the nut (and the bridge) is angled - low at the high E and high at the low E. This can sometimes give the impression of the neck being twisted. If the headstock is twisted, this is just cosmetic - you make the call if you can live with it. If the neck is twisted take it back and don't settle - it's bad.

[River]

Originally Posted by BONES

<snip>(you can actually lightly drag your fingernail across the surface of the body and leave a massive scar) <snip>

How long have you had this guitar? You've already worn a hole in the finish where the pick guard should be?

[tw1st40]

Originally Posted by River

How long have you had this guitar? You've already worn a hole in the finish where the pick guard should be?

Think he meant the swamp ash studio, which is similar to a faded finish-wise if im not mistaken

[River]

Originally Posted by tw1st40

Think he meant the swamp ash studio, which is similar to a faded finish-wise if im not mistaken

Ah, I see.

OP, I notice you're in Colorado. We have one of the best Gibson dealers in the country, possibly the world, just NW of Denver.

[dennistruckdriver]

Originally Posted by BONES

....Normally I would just go to Guitar Center (where I got the guitar) with questions like this but with recent problems I've had with other guitars, I feel like they're sick of dealing with me....

I can imagine....

[mliebs8]

If it's definately crooked I'd bring it back. Even if they're sick of dealing with you I'm sure they would do the same thing if they owned it. I wouldn't worry about what they're thinking, I would just be polite and bring it back for an exchange. If a products defective like the others you talked about they really have no reason to have an attitude.

[Xavier_32]

Return it for a refund
Stop buying from Guitar Center
Buy from a good dealer

[kirs]

Originally Posted by sktn77a

Remember the nut (and the bridge) is angled - low at the high E and high at the low E. This can sometimes give the impression of the neck being twisted.

True. Looked at a Trad Pro and first thing I thought was the neck was twisted, then looked at another and realized it was the nut.

[McLovin]

i had a goldtop classic with the same issue. take it back. who gives a crap if they are sick of you. they are just gonna get you a new one and put that piece of twisted crap back up on the wall for the next poor sucker.

[ctkarslake]

Could the new asymetrical necks be giving the impression of a twisted neck?

[weirdotis]

Originally Posted by Xavier_32

Return it for a refund
Stop buying from Guitar Center
Buy from a good dealer

Yeah... you can try, but sometimes Guitar Center is the only thing around when you need strings really quick... all the other small stores are out of business.

[River]

Originally Posted by weirdotis

Yeah... you can try, but sometimes Guitar Center is the only thing around when you need strings really quick... all the other small stores are out of business.

He's in Colorado. Dollars to donuts in the Denver area (vast majority of the population is, unlike me). We have Wildwood. We are blessed.

[Xavier_32]

Originally Posted by weirdotis

Yeah... you can try, but sometimes Guitar Center is the only thing around when you need strings really quick... all the other small stores are out of business.

Well yeah, I still get my strings from GC because they're the only place that carries the strings I like. But I'd never buy a guitar from them.

[Boleskinehouse]

Originally Posted by diceman

Return it and order a guitar from a reputable dealer. Or, have them get yet another one and make it right. Guitar Center doesn't screen what they get - they just hang it on the wall like inventory at Walmart.

My local shop does a full bench test and setup on each new guitar they get - and Gibson gets many guitars headed right back their way within a day or two of arriving at the shop.

Everyone finding all of these issues surprise me some - but that is probably because I never see the "losers" as my local shop owner won't accept them to begin with.

That's because you probably don't go to Guitar Splinter. I have TWO of the things near me and one Sam Ass. That's the only way to play new Gibsons around here. That's why when I get a new one, I have to call Saul.

Nobody believes what I'm saying and think I'm spouting off a bunch of "gorilla marketing" bullshit, ragging on Gibson all the time. Well, that's because what I see in those Wal-Marts is garbage. I've found a handful of good ones, out of hundreds of guitars, in the last five years.

It's not a joke.

[djwilbanks]

Originally Posted by ctkarslake

Could the new asymetrical necks be giving the impression of a twisted neck?

Not on a trad pro.

[martin6string]

If it were me, I'd take it back, get my money back, and buy elsewhere. Just my .02.

[Inside Guy]

Can you post a pic looking from the tuners down the neck?

[jerryo]

Gonna need to see a pic....this don't sound right

[ehamady6]

Originally Posted by diceman

return it and order a guitar from a reputable dealer. Or, have them get yet another one and make it right.

+1

[jerryo]

Here is a straight one...of a Traditional

[jerryo]

Its pretty scary hearing of Gibson releasing this kind of product and then asking the amount of money they do.

[Iceman0124]

Anything mass produced will have studs and duds...most big defects dont always happen right after production, a lot of times they are fine, between packing/shipping, who knows how many maniacs hands, the guru guitar tech that just got his youtube degree and finds his first victim...guitars...especailly from a guitar center can take quite a pounding before someone trys and picks one up. Depending where the store is, you could just wind up with all the assed up guitars....my local one is getting like that, I saw one of the floor managers drop a really nice mira 3 times, 1 from a significant altitude...when he watched me pick my jaw up off the ground he like..."dude main brahhh...aint you seen nuffin, duh top shelf make for great hucky bats"....as word for word as best I understood it. I'll never buy a high end guitar there....ever. Also for those that dont know, 95% of the "special order" guitars arent brand new unopend, its moved stock from another location, and yes, they will lie to your face, all day long from my experience. I have been to a good one just outside of atlanta, but my local store blows, and if I'm driving just outside of atlanta, I'll plenty of better places to hit on the way.

[River]

Originally Posted by Iceman0124

Anything mass produced will have studs and duds...most big defects dont always happen right after production, a lot of times they are fine, between packing/shipping, who knows how many maniacs hands, the guru guitar tech that just got his youtube degree and finds his first victim...guitars...especailly from a guitar center can take quite a pounding before someone trys and picks one up. Depending where the store is, you could just wind up with all the assed up guitars....my local one is getting like that, I saw one of the floor managers drop a really nice mira 3 times, 1 from a significant altitude...when he watched me pick my jaw up off the ground he like..."dude main brahhh...aint you seen nuffin, duh top shelf make for great hucky bats"....as word for word as best I understood it. I'll never buy a high end guitar there....ever. Also for those that dont know, 95% of the "special order" guitars arent brand new unopend, its moved stock from another location, and yes, they will lie to your face, all day long from my experience. I have been to a good one just outside of atlanta, but my local store blows, and if I'm driving just outside of atlanta, I'll plenty of better places to hit on the way.

Thank you. I'm getting tired of repeating myself.

It's the dealer's responsibility not to present crap product to the customer. Period.

[jerryo]

Yeah...come to think of it I have had several Strats that were in immediate need correcting the defects.(Usually dead strings/nut replacement)

[axisbold]

Ive worked in a ski and snowboard shop for two years, and have over seen many factory returns you are fully right to return the product until you are satisfied. Any reputable dealer (of any kind/industry) should make shore the customer gets a perfect brand new item. ive seen skis go back multiple times due to manufacturing issues if theres a problem with the product your receiving you are entitled to return it until they get it right just because its a guitar doesnt make it any different. just my badly spelt poor grammor opinion

[Boleskinehouse]

Which not only falls on the dealer's shoulders, if you can even call GC a dealer, but it reflects badly on Gibson.

Ever since I was old enough to appreciate the intricacies of fine guitars, I have been all about Gibson. I've studied their history and fell head over heels with the whole mystical heritage. A fine line between myth and truth in many cases.

That's why I'm so extremely disappointed in what I've been seeing. I've stayed loyal to the company for over 20 years. My love is so strong that when I play so many BAD examples, my disappointment is stronger.

That's where I am with all this and oh well.

[Iceman0124]

Thats the main reason I try and support my few just getting by local shops when I'm able, sure you pay a little more, but if we dont support em and they are all gone.....what are we left with? They dont have the purchasing power and corporate funding, GC buys alot and doesnt place an empahsis on quality, someone who knows wht they are after wont touch it...someone who doesnt know better will. Small independant shops typically have much fewer but better quality/condition instruments, and they will go the extra mile and typically set it up for you with no hassle and make damn sure your happy. Thats worth a little extra dough to me.

[Thunder Dump]

Y'all gotta remember, if he had his heart/mind set on a Traditional Pro then his only choice is to get it from Guitar Center (or MF online) since it is a GC exclusive. Same with the Studio 60 I just ordered. I tried to get Brett to order it for me but he can't get it. So you can sing the 'support the little guy' song all day long but in this case GC is the only choice.