Bought a new Les Paul Double Cut, but I have a few questions

[Gibson486]

I bought a gibson les paul double cut  tribute with p90s. It was on clearance on the guitar center website and it cost $599, so I thought might as well try it (and the blue color is super cool). Well, I waited 3 weeks for this guitar. Turns out it was at a store model from NY that was shutdown during quarantine. Finally got it yesterday.  Some things I am not sure about....

One, the fret work is odd. On my other guitars, it is a nice smooth feel on the neck, but on this guitar they sort of bulge out as you run your hand across. Is that normal? It is not the worst thing in the world, but it is noticeable. This is kind of my biggest issue/worry. 

Two, the nut looks odd. I have never seen a nut on a pricier guitar (I have only bought cheaper non us made guitars before), but this material looks very rough. It has this porous look.  On a website, it says it is a graphtec nut. Is that what a graph tech nut looks like? I do not think it was installed after it left the factory because the nut has blue finish on it. 

Third,  and this is probably due to it being a store model, but there is this one scratch  on the neck. It has other dings on there (looks like the guitar holders had no padding at that store), but they do not really effect playabilty. I am a little worried that that it may chip even more as time goes on. You think it is possible to bring it to a luthier to make sure he/she can do something to ensure it will never ship even more?

Other than that, it sounds pretty good. I like the sound of the P90.  I was actually really surprised by the neck pick up. My hopes were not too high, because it was a Gibson under 600, so my feeling is that I do not get to complain and if it sat there that long, maybe that is why. However, at the same time, it was originally a $999 guitar....

I attached a pic off the nut...

Edited June 14, 2020 by Gibson486

[Gibson486]

This is the scratch on the neck that i am worried about. 

[brad1]

Nut is fine. You are just use to those shiny plastic ones. 

Fret heights  differ on guitars. Some folks like them high some like them low some like  them not there at all and some don't care.  

Scratch is your call. I would not like having a scratch on a new guitar. But that's the reason you got it cheaper.  If it sounds and feels great I would keep her.  

[Grog]

I bought both the bass & a LP Jr just before everything shut down. Both guitars needed to have the sharp edges of the frets dressed down. I brought it to a tech at GC & he did it for no charge in just minutes. Made a big difference. The Jr was store stock from Colorado & ended up being fine. Bring it to your local Guitar Center if you live by one. I am very happy with both of these guitars!

[brad1]

1 minute ago, Grog said:

I bought both the bass & a LP Jr just before everything shut down. Both guitars needed to have the sharp edges of the frets dressed down. I brought it to a tech at GC & he did it for no charge in just minutes. Made a big difference. The Jr was store stock from Colorado & ended up being fine. Bring it to your local Guitar Center if you live by one. I am very happy with both of these guitars!

The OP did not say anything about having sharp edges on the frets. I think he is just referring to the size of the frets; jumbo, medium jumbo, etc. I could be wrong.

[Eracer_Team]

The fret board looks dry

He's probably feeling the fret edges, 

Probably needs to hydrate the fretboard 

[Gibson486]

Fret board is, I presume, dry.  I thought the wood looked a little light, but I did not think anything of it. And yes, I meant the end of of the frets were sharp.  sorry for the misunderstanding. Is all lemon oil the same? I have an old Epiphone SG and I never oiled the fret board. I have never felt fret edges like this, but I will bring it somewhere to take care of since it sounds like it is not uncommon. I am probably gonna keep the guitar. I like it a lot.   It's just a simple guitar.

[Saberslash]

9 hours ago, Gibson486 said:

Fret board is, I presume, dry.  I thought the wood looked a little light, but I did not think anything of it. And yes, I meant the end of of the frets were sharp.  sorry for the misunderstanding. Is all lemon oil the same? I have an old Epiphone SG and I never oiled the fret board. I have never felt fret edges like this, but I will bring it somewhere to take care of since it sounds like it is not uncommon. I am probably gonna keep the guitar. I like it a lot.   It's just a simple guitar.

Yeah, I think it is smart idea to keep it, dont mind scratch at all, you will create many more. Look what I got on mine(under lacquer) on Classic, would you return that?

[kidblast]

if you feel the frets on the edge of the guitar's neck, that is probably fret sprout.  Could also be a lousy fret finish job,

but fret sprout  is definitely a symptom of a dry neck.   I'm not sure if hydrating will work.

You may need to get a fret end file, or something similar and clean those up.  I would hydrate the fretboard anyway.  it probably needs it, I don't think it will solve that issue as it occurs over time.  a long time..  months,, 

Edited June 15, 2020 by kidblast

[Sgt. Pepper]

That could be why it was so inexpensive.