Nitro chipping and flaking off at fretboard binding.

[So What]

I have a 2013 R7, purchased new from my local Gibson dealer in October.

I also have a 2014 R8 purchased new from Wildwood guitars in May.

Both guitars have nitro chipping and flaking off between the 10 and 14 frets.

I've owned 14 Historic reissue guitars in the last 5 years, including a 2014 R9 I currently have.

I have never experienced this problem with any of the other guitars.

I called Gibson customer service yesterday, but all the guy told me was to email pics of the problem, but that they don't normally cover finish problems.

I would understand that policy if these guitars were several years old, but I have only owned the R8 for 6 months, and the R7 for only 5 or 6 weeks!

Has anyone else had this problem, and had any luck getting it resolved through Gibson?

I have searched and found one other thread on this issue, but it really went nowhere. I also didn't want to necropost, in light of the recent trend.

If Gibson won't help, what is the best alternative solution?..... besides "just play it, man".

Any help is appreciated.

Rick

.

 

[LpCustom2007]

"Mojo"

Seriously, just play it man.

Sorry.

 

[griffbones]

I know it is not what you want to hear because Gibson should be standing behind this issue, but nitro is fairly easy to touch up. With some very careful work you can blend this right back in to where it would not really be detected by the naked eye.

 

[rockstar232007]

3 options:

1 - use a little lacquer-thinner to melt and blend the finish

2 - drop-fill it with some lacquer, then spend a fair amount of time sanding/polishing

3 - don't worry about it, because it's not likely to get much worse, and over time, will actually start to smooth out or disappear naturally as the finish wears away

 

[So What]

I know it is not what you want to hear because Gibson should be standing behind this issue, but nitro is fairly easy to touch up. With some very careful work you can blend this right back in to where it would not really be detected by the naked eye.

Yeah, I figure it would be an easy repair for any of the great Luthiers here on MLP. I will probably see about finding one of them who is willing to fix it if Gibson won't stand behind their guitar.

If I had the cash, I'd send it to HM.

I personally don't possess the talent, knowledge, or patience to repair it myself.

.

 

[CHUNKYNECK]

4. You could relic it.

I'd be annoyed if I planned on flipping the guitar in the next year or 2. If I wanted to keep it I wouldn't worry about it.

Do you wear a wedding ring? Phantom skull ring?

A wipe with a little nitro lacquer on a clean q tip might fix it.

 

[bryvincent]

gibson may have reduced the plasticizers on the nitro. they might go back if they get lots of complains like this.

 

[So What]

4. You could relic it.

I'd be annoyed if I planned on flipping the guitar in the next year or 2. If I wanted to keep it I wouldn't worry about it.

Do you wear a wedding ring? Phantom skull ring?

A little nitro lacquer on a clean q tip might fix it.

I do wear a wedding ring.

But, I wear it no matter which guitars I play, so while I do accept that it could have caused a problem, the nitro must have been a problem to start with on these two, since none of the others have chipped.

.

 

[So What]

I would also like to point out that I didn't start this thread to bash Gibson QC.

The guitars looked fine when I purchased them.

I am just surprised that the problem has come up on two new guitars, in a short amount of time.

I am also disappointed with the lackluster response I got from whomever I spoke to at Gibson Customer service.

Perhaps the response to my email will be better, but until I hear from them, I have my doubts.

.

 

[CHUNKYNECK]

I do wear a wedding ring.

But, I wear it no matter which guitars I play, so while I do accept that it could have caused a problem, the nitro must have been a problem to start with on these two, since none of the others have chipped.

.

Sounds like a fair point. Only other reason I could think of is if the necks are thicker on the problem guitars. The ring might be rubbing more.
If not then I'd expect Gibson to fix it seing as they are so new.

 

[xroadie_jim]

I wouldn't send any guitar back to Gibson for such a small problem. The chances of further damage or loss are too great. Try clear fingernail polish, or layer thin coats of CA...

 

[So What]

I wouldn't send any guitar back to Gibson for such a small problem. The chances of further damage or loss are too great. Try clear fingernail polish, or layer thin coats of CA...

I agree that the problem seems to be fairly minor.

My concern is that it only developed in the last week on both guitars, and has progressed very quickly on the R7.

I am worried that the nitro will continue to come off, and begin to expose the wood.

I'm not someone who freaks out over a ding, etc. I play my guitars, and gig them if I get the chance.

My concern is that

1. The guitars are new

2. The problem is getting worse, quickly

Thanks for the replies so far.

Keep them coming.

 

[charisjapan]

Hey Rick,

Something like that would concern me, too!

I'm pretty handy with paint, and I would lacquer it asap. If you're not confident to try yourself, by all means get a competent guitar/paint guy to touch it up ... it really shouldn't be that big a deal.

It IS weird that two different guitars would have similar problems, because something like that would probably come from 1) trauma, or 2) contamination.

1) could be a ring, hitting the arm of a chair, heat or anything that occurs with both guitars ... ? 10th to 14th fret is also where the e-string might be pulled over the edge onto the binding. (I'm just throwing out ideas, while holding my R8)

2) is bad paint or bad prep before painting, and is hard to imagine with 2 different guitars, but this IS a common reason for paint chipping.

As you mentioned, leaving it alone might wear smooth, but there is also the possibility it might spread ... which would feel yucch.

As to sending it to Gibson ... hmmmm. Unless they offered fix under warantee and pay shipping, I would not push that. Building and finishing guitars is their business, not fixing and re-finishing. I'm sure they could do it, but not sure if their heart would be in it! (there's been a lot of speculation these days as to whether they have a heart at all, lol)

I hear what you are saying about not minding natural wear. I keep my gear in good condition, and never fuss about small dings or scratches that occur with use, but not knowing how that chipping happened would drive me nuts.

Btw, I'm sure the first thing a luthier would do would be to look at the chipped areas with really good light and a magnifying glass to see if there were signs of trauma or potential spread ... ask a trustworthy person to take a peek, and I'm sure you'll feel better.

 

[7gtop]

you're n0t alone


here's my early 13'z binding to nut peel....

 

[So What]

Hey Rick,

Something like that would concern me, too!

I'm pretty handy with paint, and I would lacquer it asap. If you're not confident to try yourself, by all means get a competent guitar/paint guy to touch it up ... it really shouldn't be that big a deal.

It IS weird that two different guitars would have similar problems, because something like that would probably come from 1) trauma, or 2) contamination.

1) could be a ring, hitting the arm of a chair, heat or anything that occurs with both guitars ... ? 10th to 14th fret is also where the e-string might be pulled over the edge onto the binding. (I'm just throwing out ideas, while holding my R8)

2) is bad paint or bad prep before painting, and is hard to imagine with 2 different guitars, but this IS a common reason for paint chipping.

As you mentioned, leaving it alone might wear smooth, but there is also the possibility it might spread ... which would feel yucch.

As to sending it to Gibson ... hmmmm. Unless they offered fix under warantee and pay shipping, I would not push that. Building and finishing guitars is their business, not fixing and re-finishing. I'm sure they could do it, but not sure if their heart would be in it! (there's been a lot of speculation these days as to whether they have a heart at all, lol)

I hear what you are saying about not minding natural wear. I keep my gear in good condition, and never fuss about small dings or scratches that occur with use, but not knowing how that chipping happened would drive me nuts.

Btw, I'm sure the first thing a luthier would do would be to look at the chipped areas with really good light and a magnifying glass to see if there were signs of trauma or potential spread ... ask a trustworthy person to take a peek, and I'm sure you'll feel better.

Thanks for the input.

I can say with 100% certainty, that there has not been any trauma while I have owned the guitars.

But, I do wear a wedding ring. While I have worn it for almost 25 years, and it has not caused finish wear on any of my other guitars, I do agree it could be the culprit.

I play slide, and I believe that the position my hand is in while playing may be part of the problem, due to the position it puts my wedding ring in.

But again, why only on these 2 guitars, in virtually the same places?

I agree that Gibson may not be the right people to fix the problem. But if they offer to try for free, I'm going to let them.

However, if they want to charge me, I plan to ask one of the very capable luthiers here on MLP to do the work.

Thanks again for the reply.

Rick

.

 

[Frogfur]

stew mac makes a clear nitro pen that works well. Might try that.

 

[Sharky]

I guess this is the price we pay for the historical accurracy. The nitro has less plasticizers and other helping agents which makes it less adherend and more brittle and thus prone to flake off more easily, especially from those slick surfaces like binding.

My reaction on this would be hard to predict, because this is one of the reasons I don't buy VOS or gloss guitars any more. I hate it when it gets battle scars. So I buy used or aged and don't care about any flaws

 

[hbreaze]

My experience with gibson customer service has shown me to keep pushing and ask to speak with people higher up if needed. The link below documents my experience with them. Long process but great end result

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/historics-reissues/313573-almost-ngd-finally-stp-montrose-cc-28-pics-added.html

 

[coldengray]

My reaction on this would be hard to predict because this is one of the reasons I don't buy VOS or gloss guitars any more. I hate it when it gets battle scars. So I buy used or aged abd don't care about any flaws

I with you on this - two aged LPs mean I don't have to worry about dings, dents, nitro, etc. My Shanks has plenty of nitro missing on the binding.

OP - see if Gibson will send you to a local repair guy. I wouldn't risk shipping my guitars over that. Keep pushing Gibson, they will cover it.

 

[Sharky]

I with you on this - two aged LPs mean I don't have to worry about dings, dents, nitro, etc. My Shanks has plenty of nitro missing on the binding.

This. I call it respectfull carelessness