Stinger1970 Posted January 4, 2016 Posted January 4, 2016 Hi I was offered a Gibson Hummingbird from a seller in a local ad. It looks like it has a fail on the sitka spruce top. I have attached a photo. You can see it as a "V" right above the volume control. It`s in the grain or color or something. The clear coating is ok, so the fail has to be under the clear coating. I`m ok with it, because the guitar sounds great!! but how can this pass Gibsons several check/inspection points? Stinger1970
j45nick Posted January 4, 2016 Posted January 4, 2016 Interesting question. It's probably just an irregularity in the grain the didn't show up well until the finish was applied. The matching part on the other side is hidden under the pickguard. I've never seen a bit of grain exactly like that, and it might have turned me off on the guitar, unless it was so good tonally that I could ignore it. I wouldn't call it a fail, but it is unusual. You see sitka with all kinds of funky grain, including bearclaw.
Stinger1970 Posted January 4, 2016 Author Posted January 4, 2016 Yes, it sounds like a reasonable explanation. I think i`ll buy it because it sounds great. I have owned several Hummingbirds over the years, but this is the best.
Fullmental Alpinist Posted January 5, 2016 Posted January 5, 2016 Yes, it sounds like a reasonable explanation. I think i`ll buy it because it sounds great. I have owned several Hummingbirds over the years, but this is the best. It's the head of a fox. If you love the sound, grab it. You won't be looking at that when you're playing it. Anyone know what the reasoning is behind blacking out some of the digits in the serial number? I've often wondered.
Dave F Posted January 5, 2016 Posted January 5, 2016 I like guitars with a unique spot in the grain and would not consider it a flaw. Sets it apart from all the others. I have a few guitars with similar marks and treasure them.
Dave F Posted January 5, 2016 Posted January 5, 2016 Anyone know what the reasoning is behind blacking out some of the digits in the serial number? I've often wondered. I've always thought it was to discourage counterfeiters
MissouriPicker Posted January 5, 2016 Posted January 5, 2016 I think it's the grain of the spruce. The J150 I owned had several swirls in the grain on the top. I thought it was pretty cool-looking.
E-minor7 Posted January 5, 2016 Posted January 5, 2016 I think i`ll buy it because it sounds great. I have owned several Hummingbirds over the years, but this is the best. V for volume - a fox-face, grizzly claw, a Cherokee axe, a peace-sign, a unique birthmark that will be your trademark. Plus good sound. Hope you take it - let's hear from you - welcome ✓
58 Relic Posted January 5, 2016 Posted January 5, 2016 I have a Yamaha NTX 1200 and it has a very similar mark below the sound hole I personally like the look of the top . I like guitars to be individual not clinical. I'd buy it if the sound and feel is 100% .Good luck
capmaster Posted January 5, 2016 Posted January 5, 2016 That arrow is very handy I think. This guitar shows you where she likes to be strummed! All kidding aside, as has been said before, I don't think it's anything serious, and as a QC guy I wouldn't have rejected her for that, too. If she had a solid-coloured finish, no one would ever know or care... :) Like you said in the topic title, this is just charming. Anyway, it could be a pretext for some haggling
JuanCarlosVejar Posted January 5, 2016 Posted January 5, 2016 I like it ! I am not a purist and I think that it makes the guitar even more unique JC
stein Posted January 5, 2016 Posted January 5, 2016 You wouldn't buy a great sounding/playing guitar because of that?
fortyearspickn Posted January 5, 2016 Posted January 5, 2016 Some folks prefer a little swirl or bear claw to make the wood look more like wood, and less like simulated wood. Like the companies that make leather furniture -who put a tag on it that says 'little marks are a natural part of the leather and add to it's distinctiveness.' They market it as "Each Piece Is Unique". Should QC have pulled this one from the line? I'm sure they have a human person looking at sitka blanks to be cut into tops, and that person while screening for structural flaws - has to consider if there is a cosmetic flaw that would recommend that piece be painted a solid color. Subjectively, I don't think this mark detracts at all from your guitar. Remember - Gibson is a line of guitars that is basically semi-custom, in the sense Gibson isn't producing them by the tens of thousands like their two top competitors - in a more of a production line mode. G'Luck, and Congrats !
modoc_333 Posted January 6, 2016 Posted January 6, 2016 I don't consider that to be a cosmetic flaw. "Bear claw" as many call it is the same as flame or other figuring in maple. Lots of Martin guys love to see in their guitars. A unique look, but no more a flaw than figure or flame in maple or other wood. Keith
fp Posted January 6, 2016 Posted January 6, 2016 I'm building a Sitka topped dreadnought right now that has a very similar marking.
MR GIBS Posted January 6, 2016 Posted January 6, 2016 I like guitars with a unique spot in the grain and would not consider it a flaw. Sets it apart from all the others. I have a few guitars with similar marks and treasure them. I think the same. #grabbitfast!
Stinger1970 Posted January 6, 2016 Author Posted January 6, 2016 Thanks for all replies guys :) I bought it. It sounds awsome. And yes, this spot in the grain makes the guitar even more unique. I got an e-mail from Gibson Europe about it also: "It looks like this is just in the wood, purely cosmetic. It won’t affect the tone, and I would definitely not do anything about it. Some people like these kind of “wood fingerprints”, it won’t affect the value either."
Fullmental Alpinist Posted January 7, 2016 Posted January 7, 2016 Congratulations on your new guitar then. Welcome to the family/forum and enjoy that beast.
B1ues Boy Posted January 7, 2016 Posted January 7, 2016 If the guitar has Bear Claw the wood is stiffer and it will sound better with more headroom
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