Question About Used BB I Just Got

[will c]

Hi Guys,

I just received this Black Beauty a few days ago and am within my 30 day return period.

She's a player, and it shows.

I was wondering if I should be concerned about a visible crack/separation along the binding on the neck. The plane of the board does not seem to be affected. I don't know how these age as this is my first LP. Could it just be the nitro contracting away from the binding? It's a '97. Or is this indicative of a fall and past repair? I can also see lines where the neck joint telegraphs through the finish on the treble side of the neck and where the neck and body bindings meet in the cutaway. Here are some pics of the bass side.

There's some distortion due to my camera on that last one!

Also, are the following pictures typical? Mainly, the dried glue inside the truss rod cover and the clear coat covering the truss rod nut and washer?

I was wondering if these are items I should be concerned about.

Here's one of the whole axe because I have to show her off too!

Thanks guys for any help!

Will

 

[alk-3]

Is there actually a space between the fretboard and neck? Can you slip a piece of paper in there, and see how deep it goes?
If yes to any of the above, it's a pretty serious issue.. It can be fixed fairly easily, but shouldn't be ignored.
The telegraphing of the binding line is not an issue, it's just a result of the lacquer shrinking back, and revealing the construction method otherwise hidden by paint.

 

[will c]

Is there actually a space between the fretboard and neck? Can you slip a piece of paper in there, and see how deep it goes?
If yes to any of the above, it's a pretty serious issue.. It can be fixed fairly easily, but shouldn't be ignored.
The telegraphing of the binding line is not an issue, it's just a result of the lacquer shrinking back, and revealing the construction method otherwise hidden by paint.

Thanks for the suggestion. No, paper will not fit into the line shown in the photos above. Regarding construction, do they apply the binding, then mask and paint?

 

[rockstar232007]

The crack along the neck is the result of the different expansion/contraction of the fingerboard and neck. It doesn't mean there is anything necessarily "wrong".

It's also pretty easy fix, IF you're willing to do it? Just take some acetone (lacquer-thinner), lightly brush it on along the crack, then sand/buff it. Should just disappear?

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

I wouldn't worry about either issue, myself.

 

[DRF]

I'd send it back.

 

[will c]

I'd send it back.

Why?

 

[DRF]

Why?

Well, if its just the binding and you glue it down it'd probably be good,probably most cases are like that. However I look at it as a car that has rust, if its got it in one place it most likely has it in another. Guitar wise, are you willing to put up with the possibility the binding or who knows what else is going to pop up cause its not glued properly?. If it was my newly bought guitar I wouldn't put up with that sh*t, its not like black customs are hard to come by.

*Its just my opinion, my cheap 2cents and I'm totally not saying you're going to run into any future problems.*

 

[dougk]

If you can't physically feel a crack then its fine. A little sloppy from Gibson but fine.

 

[H.E.L.Shane]

this is fairly common actually...

however... sight down the neck from the bridge side and look very carefully at the ege of the fingerboard /fret ends on both sides of the neck.. is there a little hump in the area where the finish crack is?

you should see a very gentle curve of the relief, but if you see a curve rom the nut to about the 12th , and then a slight peak and then another curve.. you got a fretboard hump over the neck heel.

the pics you posted are focuse on the crack and i believe the lens is causing the distortion is see,,, but... something tells me there's more there than just the fisheye effect

 

[alk-3]

Okay, as Doug and others say, if its not actually a crack, or seperation of the fretboard then I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[will c]

Yeah,

I just don't want the binding separating from the neck (or worse, the fretboard). I suspect it's just the nitro shrinking at the binding/neck interface but wanted to get other eyes on it.

Will

 

[essay]

My two oldest Customs (80's) have the binding separation like yours. Very common in LPC's. You usually see it close to the nut and closer to the neck/body. The glue in the truss rod cavity is also from the factory. Both perfectly normal.

 

[Roman]

Do you love the feel and/or sound?? If so keep it. Even if there are some issues anything can be fixed.

 

[TKOjams]

I'd send it back.

Yeah, that's just silly.