BluesDeville Posted December 26, 2021 Share Posted December 26, 2021 Hey all, Happy Holidays! Just received a spanking brand new 2021 Les Pal Standard 50's. It's a beauty! But while going over the fine details, checking out the flame, how many pieces in the body, neck, etc. I happen upon a mysterious, what appears to be a "crack" under the finish, across the grain, on the back of the neck at around the middle of the 5th fret. It goes from one side of the neck to the other, across the grain. It's really freaking me out. Nitro appears to be intact. At least the outer layer of nitro. The "crack" appears to have flame to it as well because it will light up when looking at it from the top and get dark when looking at it from below (if that makes any sense). Also, I know the neck is supposed to be one piece of mahagony, but it looks like many pieces and they kind of twist to the right. Grain maybe? Sure look like seams of at least 4 pieces... But I know it can't be. Wish I had room for bigger/better pics. Thoughts from the experts? Unfortunately I had to purchase this beauty online, but from an extremely reputable dealer. It appears "whatever it is" was there when it left the factory. Just not sure what it is I am looking at, whether I should be concerned and if I should return it. Thank you! Gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonard McCoy Posted December 26, 2021 Share Posted December 26, 2021 (edited) This looks to be a cosmetic issue. It is not uncommon for mahogany to have weak spots in the wood, that is, effectively grain lines running perpendicular to the main grain. Yours is a one-piece neck with such an issue. Due to Mother Nature, the main grain direction of your neck is also not perfectly aligned with the headstock direction, which is also not uncommon. I wouldn't expect any structural issues in the long term, but if it really bothers you, you might want to return the guitar. Edited December 26, 2021 by Leonard McCoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesDeville Posted December 26, 2021 Author Share Posted December 26, 2021 Thanks for your thoughts. At $3k, I should have bought in person. The neck would have to be as glorious as the rest of the guitar. Don't want to start this one off this way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted December 27, 2021 Share Posted December 27, 2021 looks cosmetic to me too. hog has lots of different grain patterns. I wouldn't beat myself up on the in person thing. you could have tried that out in a store and still not have noticed it till you got home. what does the dealer have to say about it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinch Posted December 27, 2021 Share Posted December 27, 2021 Looks cosmetic to me too. I would say it's New Gibson Syndrome, which should be officially recognized as a disorder. I know what it's like. But really, I don't foresee any problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesDeville Posted December 27, 2021 Author Share Posted December 27, 2021 (edited) Thank you guys. Still waiting to hear back from the dealer. Must he a holiday thing. They are one of the major Gibson dealers. I have no worries about them standing up. Just wondering if I was being petty because it always seems like it's something. Could be a cheap guitar or an expensive guitar, there's ALWAYS an issuse that should not be there. I guess you need to step up to Custom Shop from these guitar makers and even then the blems get out. I understand it's wood working, but if ya'll are going to charge me $3k for the pleasure, it should be pain and excuse free. I'll let you guys knw how the story ends. Still kicking it over in my head and waiting to see what the dealer's opinion is as well. Here's what's at stake... Sucker for a beautiful face, dark rosewood, wonderful set up and tone. But I don't want to make excuses/fool myself eveytime I think about that neck snapping. Wondering if the builder (or someone in Gibson) grabbed this thing by the neck and stressed it/fractured it but continued on and finished over it. I can't imagine. This was a custom batch order from Gibson USA, you'd think it would get some extra love. She's a beauty though! Edited December 27, 2021 by BluesDeville 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesDeville Posted January 5, 2022 Author Share Posted January 5, 2022 So the verdict is in... Their techs say that it is just the grain. 😕 Getting a refund... What do I do, say send it back to me? No more mail-order for me. Thanks for all the input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonard McCoy Posted January 5, 2022 Share Posted January 5, 2022 Thanks for getting back to us. We are glad you sorted it out with the dealer. The guitar did look stellar, though, especially the flametop and sunburst. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 On 1/4/2022 at 7:10 PM, BluesDeville said: So the verdict is in... Their techs say that it is just the grain. 😕 Getting a refund... What do I do, say send it back to me? No more mail-order for me. Thanks for all the input. Its yours and your choice on what to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesDeville Posted January 11, 2022 Author Share Posted January 11, 2022 On 1/7/2022 at 2:40 PM, Sgt. Pepper said: Its yours and your choice on what to do. It was. And that's why I was looking for information from people more knowledgable then me, so I could make an informed decision. Decision made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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