Epiphone Leas Paul headstock glued to the neck?

[David Dura]

Hi there

 

I hope someone can clarify this for me: I bought an Epiphone Les Paul Standard Pro in 2017, new from an authorised dealer from Sydney (Australia) and I noticed there were 2 small marks on the back of the neck, close to the headstock. At first I didn't pay much attention but soon the guitar because unplayable. By then the shop had already closed and the guitar was left hanging on the wall until I recently tried to give it a second chance and have it fix. The luthier mentioned that a)the guitar was really poorly built (not a one-piece neck for sure) or b) it was broken and fixed before selling it.

 

Can someone confirm how Epiphone attaches the headstock to the neck for such guitars?

 

Thanks

[Larsongs]

That is not normal! Not sure how Warranty from Gibson works in Oz? But, I would contact them by email or phone if possible and file a Warranty Claim. You will need your Original Purchase Receipt showing being so.d as New…

[kidblast]

Epiphones usually have a scarf joint that's up a bit closer to the end of the fret board and extends into the first few inches of the head stock.

Those finish marks are what I think is below where the scarf joint starts

It almost looks like finish damage from a guitar stand???

 

[mihcmac]

Kidblast is correct about the scarf joint location and the OP's finish marks being caused by something else, I think.

Below is a 2020 SG with a scarf joint, this was done on some of the "Inspired By Gibson" Epiphones to accommodate the new headstock using old stock necks. Prior to 2020 it would be very unusual to find a scarf joint on an Epiphone, specially Epiphones with the clipped ear headstock or on the larger Casino style. A few with an unusual headstock could show up once in a while but it would be very rare.

Not to worry though because a scarf joint done at the factory is usually stronger than a neck without one. Lots of manufacturers use scarf joints, like Ibanez for example.

Below is my 2020 ES-339, if you look really close you can see the scarf joint in the same location, as in the image above, the biggest tell is the headstock grain is slightly different from the neck. I do expect that Epiphones with scarf joints will go away as old neck stock is used up.

I also have a 2020 Wilshire and SG Classic that do not have scarf joints. 

Note: that Gibsons 17° headstock are the most common to be broken of all guitars, according to luthiers and Epiphones 14° headstock is not on that list for breakage.

Edited August 2, 2022 by mihcmac