ANY HELP WITH THIS SH---T ON A BRAND NEW LIMITED RUN

[cudamax2343]

This is my first brand new gibson guitar I have ever bought In my life. It has about 20hrs of wear and It looks worse that some that I that are 20yrs old. I have been play-in now for about 25yrs and have about 38 guitars total and all of my other gibsons have never done this. It seems that were ever I touch it, it just won't wipe clean and a gibson polishing cloth scratch's It. This one sound soo good, It's unreal. It's one in a million. Gibsons burstbucker III in this one Is sounds almost exactly like my oldmans original 1957 paul. I called and talked with gibsons custmer service and they gave me a ra # and I was told that I should include a letter with the guitar that let's them know If I want the same model or a different one, because they might just replace It. I don't want a replacement it's a guitar of the week # 25 from 2007 with only 400 made. what's up do they know something that I don't.

[littlekenny]

is that the one with the BFG electronics?

[cudamax2343]

Yea it sure is, burstbucker III and a p-90 this one is finished, ya-know, trim rings, painted ect. Sounds great, but the clear is the problem.

[retrosurfer1959]

I have the same guitar (Studio BFG in Black Gibson GOTW 25)the neck seemed really sticky and soft at first but nothing visual and it's gotten better just leaving it out of the case for a month or so. I've seen guitars fog like that if put away in a wet or moist case after heavy play but not that bad and not permanently. they do sound great but thats a real strange looking blob or whatever you would call that.

 

Good luck let us know how that turns out and I'll watch mine closely for a while. I have only had it a few months now and it felt sticky when I first got it but now it looks and feels fine at least so far when did you get yours?

[cudamax2343]

I got this one 2-22-2008. I have been told that mixing and applying the nitro is tricky and If Its not right well can turn out like ****. A custmer service guy over the phone told me to use lighter fluid on the neck, that sounds crazy to me. I have always wiped it down and put it back in the case, thought it was the best thing to do. I got the explorer about a week later and it's sticky too but have left it along with the les paul out of the case as much as possible and have not played it, hoping that they needed some additional cure time and has helped alot. The cloudy white stuff rubs off with hard pressure of my thumb and its the clear/nitro coming off.

[ibis]

The only brand new Gibson I've ever owned was My SG Classic, which went through a really sticky-neck phase. I guess it was the fresh nitro reacting with the sweat from my hand. The forearm contour was sticky too. Its about 17 months old now and the stickyness has gone away. I remember the nitro looking a little foggy at the time and seeming to move when wiped with the thumb. The finish is now a little less than shiney in these places, but I'm not a guitar polisher so it doesn't worry me.

 

Perhaps this is something that happens when the guitars are 'fresh' from Gibson, as all GOW's will most certainly be. Guitars that have sat in dealers for a year waiting for sale will probably have hardened.

 

Maybe the black colour exascerbates the problem. I've heard of the naphtha (lighter fuel) solution being recommended by Gibson in these forums before, as a way of hardening (dehydrating?) the nitro finish. Did it help at all?

 

I guess you have two options, either take Gibson up on their warranty offer of replacement or wait and see if it gets better as the nitro hardens.

 

Let us know what happens.

[Mark]

I was at a Gibson seminar and was told naphtha was the only cleaner to use

You can find it at any harware store.

I bought a new Casino (China) and I swear the paint was still wet when I received it. The fretboard

finish was rubbing off for 2 months.

[Gibson CS]

WOW!

I think you deserve a new one.

Ive never seen anything like that!

 

Mark..

You say use naphtha?...Isnt that moth balls?

Have you ever smelled moth balls?

If so, howd you get their little legs apart? lol

 

Im sorry, its an old joke, and im an old dude!

[DoubleSixx]

Maybe it has to do with the interior of you case ?

 

In addition to fresh nitro etc.

 

I've read that older cases would bleed on the the finish.

 

Call Gibson and ask them that, maybe you can trade the case for the drak grey

interior.

 

Good luck.

[TheLiveSoundGuy]

I was at a Gibson seminar and was told naphtha was the only cleaner to use

You can find it at any harware store.

I bought a new Casino (China) and I swear the paint was still wet when I received it. The fretboard

finish was rubbing off for 2 months.

 

Mark, are you serious? The only reason I'm asking is because Naptha = Zippo Lighter Fluid!

I mean lighter fluid is a great cleaner for removing tar, and sticky glues and gunk in general, but the thought of using it on a guitar???

I think I'd at least find an inconspicuous test spot first. And then get it off asap, and polish the hell out of the wood right afterwards.

[NeoConMan]

I'm not sure of the composition of Zippo lighter fluid - if it's 100% naptha - but I presume it is.

 

Get a can of naptha from the hardware store.

Naptha is simply crude gasoline, it's further refined to yield the stuff you burn in your car.

Sorta like diesel is kerosene, but kerosene burns cleaner and leaves less residue in lamps, heaters, etc.

 

Naptha will not leave a residue behind, evaporates completely, but is still a mild solvent.

Don't let naptha pool and sit on the finish, but use a soft COTTON cloth wetted with it for wiping and rubbing.

Most paint thinners are simply too harsh, naptha offers less risk of destroying the finish.

Do it OUTSIDE the house, of course.

 

One thing I stumbled onto with the stickiness, is leaving it out of the case and covering it with a 100% cotton cloth to keep dust off.

I used a table cloth to cover a few of mine for awhile - like a few months.

Works pretty good, but black is a scratch-showing nightmare anyway.

Wipe the dust off, it scratches. Polish it, it scratches.

Keeping it in the case always and forever means it never gets played or enjoyed.

 

Whatever stand you put it on, make sure it is covered with cotton.

I bought a bunch of cheap wash cloths and hand towels years ago, all in white.

I can always wash them, bleach them if needed, and reuse them.

With a brand new Gibson finish, any contact with foam rubber WILL discolor it.

Doesn't take long, and by the time you notice it you're done.

Ask me how I know, regarding a Les Paul and a 335.

 

Bad deal you got there, I dunno without seeing it.

 

Good luck Buddy!

[Tim Plains]

cudamax2343, I'd say take it back if you can...it's only going to get worst over time.

 

Did you get the name of the Gibson guy that recommended lighter fluid? If you did or didn't, call Gibson back and ask them to confirm using lighter fluid on the finish. If they do, ask them to provide it to you in writing...a quick email will do. If the lighter fluid damages your guitar, you have proof that Gibson instructed you to do so.

 

If you send it back and Gibson replaces it, see if you can get a Standard out of them...some sort of upgrade for the hassle anyways...I would.

[cudamax2343]

Well first I would like to thank you guys for all the input. I'd like also to share something, what the hell is gibson doing mixing up nitro that does not cure and sending guitars all around the u.s. and allowing custmers to handle these guitars this way. They do not tell you It's best to not touch-it for six months until It cures. They recommend to store it in the guitar case saying it's the safest way and to wipe it down everytime after use. This nitro problem seems common. I have lots of guitars and when I first decied to get this limited run model, I had visions that in 20yrs It would be one of mine fine axes that showed I really took care of It and It would still look new. The quality of this creation is great feels/ plays/sounds, man the voice on this one well is unreal, but it is vary dissappointing to me that THERE IS A REAL BAD PROBLEM WITH THE FINISH THAT HAS LOWERED THE VALUE RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX. AND THEY ARE NOT OUT THERE NEW ANYMORE, THERE ARE ALL SOLD HOW CAN GIBSON REPLACE THIS. THERE MIGHT BE A FEW LES PAUL GUITAR OF THE WEEKS LEFT OUT THERE, ONE THAT COMES TO MIND IS THE CHERRY SUNBURST MODEL WITH 3 DIMARZIO'S.

 

I WOULD LIKE TO RUN A POLL WITH EVERY ONE HERE AND SEE WHAT THEY THINK GIBSON SHOULD DO FOR ME JUST AS IF IT HAPPENED TO YOU.

 

WANT WOULD YOU WANT DONE FOR YOU

[stryker69]

it is the nature of nitro. my classic was a little sticky when i got it and had the fresh nitro smell for a while! its like a new car smell! i wonder if there had been a internet forum around when the first lp owners started seeing them check if they would have called out gibson for crappy finishes.

[stryker69]

i just saw the full size pic and i see what you are referring to now. naptha or lighter fluid would be ok to clean it! also check out the gibson nitro cleaner polish! works real well!

[ibis]

WOW!

 

You say use naphtha?...Isnt that moth balls?

 

Moth balls are made from Naphthalene.

 

Close, but I guess its important to moths!

[ibis]

 

I WOULD LIKE TO RUN A POLL WITH EVERY ONE HERE AND SEE WHAT THEY THINK GIBSON SHOULD DO FOR ME JUST AS IF IT HAPPENED TO YOU.

 

WANT WOULD YOU WANT DONE FOR YOU

 

Ask for an exact replacment or failing that, a Standard.

 

If you still hanker after a P90 sound then fit a Seymour Duncan Fat Cat or Bare Knuckle Mississippi Queen in the neck. They are humbucker size replacement P90s.

[Hydra26]

They're always sticky for the first few months. Might not be the nitro, could be the buffing wax coming up out of the finish. Use the naptha or the Gibson nitro polish as suggested. I use it liberally on my necks the first several months I own a guitar and you get to a point where you have a smooth glassy enck and don't really need to use it much anymore. Just gotta play the things and clean them more when they're new. If it comes off with hand pressure, just use a little polish and no pressure, it should come right off.

 

Also as stated, that's the nature of nitro. Sorry to hear it's caused a problem for you btu I don't think it's going to turn out to be a major thing. 3-6 months from now , you'll jsut be hitting with a quick wipe once in a while. Just be aware, any Gibson you buy is gonna do stuff like that to some degree.

[3dmac]

This is my first brand new gibson guitar I have ever bought In my life. It has about 20hrs of wear and It looks worse that some that I that are 20yrs old. I have been play-in now for about 25yrs and have about 38 guitars total and all of my other gibsons have never done this. It seems that were ever I touch it' date=' it just won't wipe clean and a gibson polishing cloth scratch's It. This one sound soo good, It's unreal. It's one in a million. Gibsons burstbucker III in this one Is sounds almost exactly like my oldmans original 1957 paul. I called and talked with gibsons custmer service and they gave me a ra # and I was told that I should include a letter with the guitar that let's them know If I want the same model or a different one, because they might just replace It. I don't want a replacement it's a guitar of the week # 25 from 2007 with only 400 made. what's up do they know something that I don't. [/quote']

 

Looks that it is right were the case neck support is at RIGHT ?

 

Liner in the case is glued in and this area was possible over glued and was still releasing solvent. This is why it kinda looks worse on either side of the support were more air mixture occurred.

Yes use naptha or mineral spirits and cotton t shirt. Then buff and let air out ( not in the case ) for several days. Repeat ever so often to remove any oils from playing.

[ibis]

 

Looks that it is right were the case neck support is at RIGHT ?

 

Liner in the case is glued in and this area was possible over glued and was still releasing solvent. This is why it kinda looks worse on either side of the support were more air mixture occurred.

Yes use naptha or mineral spirits and cotton t shirt. Then buff and let air out ( not in the case ) for several days. Repeat ever so often to remove any oils from playing.

 

 

Elementary my dear Watson! A great piece of sleuthing there! Sherlock Holmes would be proud of you 3dmac!

[cudamax2343]

Just wanted to add to all. I would never use a harsh or any cleaner and have never used cleaners on any of my 38 or so fine axes in my 30 some years of play-in, let a-lone on a brand new fresh 1 month old axe. And I would never, never, I'll repeat never, gibson recomended or not, use lighter fluid to try and remove a layer of bad nitro, nitro on a 1 month old gibson that is pissing me off. I mean really, Its a new guitar, would you by a new caddillac and instead of bringing it to the car wash for its first bath so it looks nice and new, bring it to the body shop for a harsh chemical cleaning or a possible repaint or strip of its clear coat to be reshot. Well If you did you'd be pissed ****ing pissed just like me.

[cudamax2343]

IT seem's everywhere its touched it does this more so on the neck by the places I play the most or spend the most time with my hand ya-know 2-3rd to 5th-7th-9th fret and the 12th fret positions

[NeoConMan]

Not to make light of your difficult situation, but I'm guessing you are not a fan of the whole Faded/Worn finish either?

 

I bought a new Melody Maker last year, and it felt like flypaper.

Between the rough, ugly *** finish and the stickiness it was not very fun to play at first.

Still can't say I LIKE it....

[rjc guitar]

Just wanted to add to all. I would never use a harsh or any cleaner and have never used cleaners on any of my 38 or so fine axes in my 30 some years of play-in' date=' let a-lone on a brand new fresh 1 month old axe. And I would never, never, I'll repeat never, gibson recomended or not, use lighter fluid to try and remove a layer of bad nitro, nitro on a 1 month old gibson that is pissing me off. I mean really, Its a new guitar, would you by a new caddillac and instead of bringing it to the car wash for its first bath so it looks nice and new, bring it to the body shop for a harsh chemical cleaning or a possible repaint or strip of its clear coat to be reshot. Well If you did you'd be pissed ****ing pissed just like me. [img']http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb227/cudamax2343/000_3663.jpg[/img]

 

Hey dude,

 

Don't worry too much, everyone here is on the right track. i am a full time pro Luthier and I use Mineral Spirits consistantly on Nitro finishes. i use it to wet sand fresh nitro and to clean as well. It DOES NOT affect the nitro!! and is completely safe to use. I understand your frustration especially with never having to deal with this before, but it is quite common these days for some reason. I currently am playing a Les Paul Standard that I repaired a head stock break. It is about 3 months since I sprayed, wet sanded and buffed the neck and even after a show last night i had to wipe it down. Nitro Celluouse lacquer takes FOREVER to totally cure. It will harden and be safe to sand and buff after about 10 days but can take months to "cure". Companies like Gibson and "the others" normally use a UV booth to cure the nitro, not being a chemist I am not sure how that whole process works#-o but maybe it wasn't in the booth long enough?

 

My best advice is to keep it clean and when not playing it just keep it "warm and dry" ( the best you can ) during this time of year I will keep a clients guitar that I sprayed right in front of my fireplace for up to 2 weeks before I sand and buff. "low heat and dry air" is the "cure-all" for Nitro.

 

It WILL cure for you and will not be a problem, and don't worry, i don't think you are actually "removing" any lacquer ( i would be saying you are NOT, but without seeing it in person...)

 

Good luck and besides the problem it is a NICE Paul !!!

 

-Rick

[rjc guitar]

By the way, if that is really you in your avatar you look REALLY, REALLY familiar..... were you ever a "teacher" in Minnesota? School Dist # 831?? If not I know your TWIN!!!! SERIOUSLY!!!