What should I do?

[Blazorge]

Hello. So I've saved my money for along time and finally decided to buy a new ES-330L from Musicians Friend today.

Later in the day I got a phone call from the very excellent guy I've been working with from MF who told

me that they noticed that there are some fret end cracks in the binding on the guitar

that I had chosen. He said that this actually wasn't unusual for this to happen eventually but that he

would discount the instrument if I still wanted to buy it and

I could still return it. He sent me some good pictures which I'll post here.

 

First of all, major props to MF for being so upfront and cool about this.

My experience with them so far has been fantastic.

 

Thing is that I don't know what to do.

 

I'm no guitar expert but by the looks of the binding up at the nut it appears like Gibson did a kind of sloppy job with the

binding in general. Remember, this is an over $2,000 guitar. Part of me says forget it it's probably not a big

deal and part of me says it is a big deal and I should go a different route.

 

What do you think? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

-B

[Guest EastEnder]

This is discussed at length in another topic...

 

http://forum.gibson.com/index.php?/topic/82771-es175-with-small-cracks-at-each-fret/

 

It does seem to be happening a lot and seems to me to be an almost inevitable occurrence these days. The decision is yours.

 

Since you've saved for a long time I realize that you want everything to be perfect. My position is that you should accept nothing less, but if you're looking at saving some money perhaps you won't mind the cracking. The consensus is that this is a problem which won't affect the guitar structurally. That nut work does look a bit ugly, though.

 

Whatever you decide, congratulations on the one you'll eventually go for. The 330L is a terrific model.

 

But please do read the referenced topic above.

 

EE

[BillyGibson]

This is weird to me. My Les Paul is now two years old

and the binding looks as good today as it did when I

bought it. I don't baby it either

 

All the binding cracks I see are on these semi-hollows.

Is there a difference is neck construction and how wood

interacts between semi-hollows and solids? :unsure:

[TinyBabyBrandon]

Yep, I have the exact same thing on my 335 anniversary. It doesn't affect anything except your perception of the guitar which could be a big deal or not. I guess it might depend on the discount. I got mine which new goes for $4199, I believe, and I paid $2300, so it was definitely something I was willing to overlook to be able to get a guitar I otherwise wouldn't have easily afforded. The choice is yours, my friend.

[strat-o-steve]

How big of a discount are we talking about? If you can save some serious cash, do it! My LP had these cracks since new, but everything else about that guitar was perfect so I decided to keep the keeper and not chance a tone dud :) My SG has the same dent or impact damage near the nut just like the picture of this guitar. It also doesn't bother anything since it is in a spot your hand won't really feel anyway. I think someone or something in the factory is causing this dent near the nut... If ya have to have a new axe, don't settle for less than what you exactly want (for that kind of money!) That being said, if MF makes an incredible discount, it may be a worthwhile investment. Overall though, that is by far some of the crappiest binding work I have ever seen. The scraped away part isn't even straight with the fretboard. It's hard to make these soul-searching decisions without playing the guitar. You have the return policy in your favor. If the price is right, have it shipped and try it out. If you can't bond with it for whatever reason, send it back and get another :D

[Guest EastEnder]

You have the return policy in your favor. If the price is right, have it shipped and try it out. If you can't bond with it for whatever reason, send it back and get another :D

 

As long as MF pays the return shipping, sure.

 

A couple of months ago I bought a Les Paul DC with Humbuckers from them. They sent me one with p90s. When I called to get a return authorization, I found out the return shipping would be on me, even though they made the mistake. Of course I took it up a level and they caved. Just be careful.

 

I no longer deal with the Guitar Center group of companies. The discounts aren't that great and you get what's in the box — even from their so-called "Guitar Specialists."

 

One could argue that Blazorge's MF guy is being super helpful. Maybe so, but the skeptic in me says he's reducing inventory. Crappy inventory.

 

These guitars shouldn't be foisted on reluctant customers. They should be headed back to Nashville.

 

Sorry about that...

 

EE

[bobouz]

All the binding cracks I see are on these semi-hollows.

Is there a difference is neck construction and how wood

interacts between semi-hollows and solids? :unsure:

 

BG - It does seem like the hollow bodies coming out of Memphis have been particularly prone to this during certain periods of production, but some similar examples from Nashville have been posted as well. I tend to think inherent construction methods are less of an issue than variations in nitro content and preparation of the wood being utilized.

[Rock and Reel]

This is weird to me. My Les Paul is now two years old

and the binding looks as good today as it did when I

bought it. I don't baby it either

 

All the binding cracks I see are on these semi-hollows.

Is there a difference is neck construction and how wood

interacts between semi-hollows and solids? :unsure:

 

As you'll see in the previous thread, it's not just semi and hollow body's. Here my LP Ultima.

 

[Blazorge]

Hello everyone thanks very much for your replies and advice.

General consensus seems to be that the cracking is not unusual and doesn't indicate any serious flaw which

might effect playing at all so I've decided to take the guitar.

MF will totally pay shipping if I decide to return it so I've got nothing to loose.

I'll let you know what happens.

 

Thanks again!

 

-B

[TinyBabyBrandon]

Hello everyone thanks very much for your replies and advice.

General consensus seems to be that the cracking is not unusual and doesn't indicate any serious flaw which

might effect playing at all so I've decided to take the guitar.

MF will totally pay shipping if I decide to return it so I've got nothing to loose.

I'll let you know what happens.

 

Thanks again!

 

-B

I'd say good decision especially if the discount is right. Without probing a little too deeply what kind of discount did they offer you? I'm just curious.

[Blazorge]

They gave me 10% off without me even asking when I originally placed the order for the guitar and then bumped that up to 20% after they

told me about the fret end crack issue. So it went from their advertised $2499 down to $2000.

This is the price they'd sell it for if it was "used-level II" but this is still being sold to me as a new instrument as far as MF's return policy and Gibson's warranty

are concerned.

 

I've never bought an instrument like this online before but this seems pretty reasonable to me.

 

Sound good?

 

 

-B

[texasdw]

As you'll see in the previous thread, it's not just semi and hollow body's. Here my LP Ultima.

 

 

Rock and Reel, that is a REAL fine looking LP you got there! I have never seen anything like that! Don't mean to sidetrack this thread, but what year was that made?

[TinyBabyBrandon]

They gave me 10% off without me even asking when I originally placed the order for the guitar and then bumped that up to 20% after they

told me about the fret end crack issue. So it went from their advertised $2499 down to $2000.

This is the price they'd sell it for if it was "used-level II" but this is still being sold to me as a new instrument as far as MF's return policy and Gibson's warranty

are concerned.

 

I've never bought an instrument like this online before but this seems pretty reasonable to me.

 

Sound good?

 

 

-B

Not too shabby and I think totally worth the binding cracks. Honestly I barely even notice them on mine and really can only see them if I'm really looking. A lot of people here only noticed them once they had read about about the problem and then checked their guitars. It shouldn't take away from the new guitar magic at all. Post some sweet pics of that bad boy once you get it!

[Rock and Reel]

Rock and Reel, that is a REAL fine looking LP you got there! I have never seen anything like that! Don't mean to sidetrack this thread, but what year was that made?

 

Hey Tex,

 

If I recall (and that gets more sketchie every day) my LP Ultima was made in 1998. I think they are only available now as a special order but if you like Lester's and bling this might be the instrument for you.

[wdsa85]

Hey Tex,

 

If I recall (and that gets more sketchie every day) my LP Ultima was made in 1998. I think they are only available now as a special order but if you like Lester's and bling this might be the instrument for you.

thank you!!

[badbluesplayer]

If it was me, I would definitely not buy the guitar. This is a known defect and Gibson is pumping these defective units out like there's no tomorrow. Why not have the guy find you a good one? Or buy from Sweetwater, where they will not try to sell you a defective guitar, period.

 

Do you really want to buy a $2,000 guitar that you know is defective in order to save $200.00?

[Blazorge]

Hey everyone I just thought I'd post an update in case anyone is interested in how this all went.

I got the guitar last Friday (one week ago) and all I can say is I LOVE this guitar!

 

Those fret end cracks in the closeup pictures that were sent to me are actually barely noticeable

and the binding that looks so poor is also actually perfectly fine. None of that stuff even matters when considering how

this thing FEELS and most importantly how it SOUNDS. What a beautiful, soulful guitar, it was love at first sight and

I couldn't be happier.

 

For what it's worth, I'm a professional musician but guitar is not my main instrument (I'm mainly a saxophonist actually) so

in the interest of getting some second opinions I've been able to show it to a couple of actual guitarist

friends of mine and they were both very impressed as well.

 

I'm taking it to Manny Salvador here in New York on Tuesday for a set up; not that it's bad...just a couple tweaks

here and there and I'll be curious to see what he says about the instrument.

 

I haven't been able to put this thing down during almost every free minute I've had over the last week and it's all I can do to

not cuddle with it when I finally drag myself into bed at night.

 

So, there you have it... Thanks again for all who posted your thoughts and advice.

I'll attach a picture but I must apologize for the rather poor quality.

 

-B

[bobouz]

Glad to hear everything worked out. I too have been extremely pleased with my 330L. In particular, the 30/60 neck profile & enhanced fretboard access seem ideal. Congratulations!

[pfox14]

Sounds like everythiong worked out exactly the way you wanted it to. Pheeewwww