Rabs Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 I have recently noticed on my LP Classic that is now over ten years old that on the side of the frets there is a small crack in the binding.. on every one I think top and bottom. This being my oldest guitar and having never noticed it before I wonder if that was always the case or is this just a normal aging thing.... or worse is this the start of somthing that will require action like a re-fret.. Which brings me to the question (as ive never had to have a guitar re-fretted) if you need to re-fret a bound board does that mean the binding gets redone? Anyway this is the pic, the cracks are pretty small right now and this is the only issue I can see over the whole guitar so I think its not doing too bad for its age :) But would appreciate any advice on if this will get worse and if theres anything I can do to slow or stop it, or if its just inevitable. Cheers :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 Perfectly normal. Nothing to worry about. P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted May 6, 2012 Author Share Posted May 6, 2012 Perfectly normal. Nothing to worry about. P. Good to know.. Phew :) thanks for the reply Will it get worse? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 Not really. Just don't get it waterlogged and leave it outside during the winter months..... P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted May 6, 2012 Author Share Posted May 6, 2012 Not really. Just don't get it waterlogged and leave it outside during the winter months..... P. Haha :) thats ok then I in no way plan on doing those things to my baby ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djroge1 Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 I have a '78 Les Paul that I've owned since '79 and yes those cracks are there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfpup Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 It's done for. You should buy a new one right away and send that one to me. If the cracks start to become a physical impediment, you have an issue. Otherwise - no worries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Plains Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 It's caused by the wood expanding/contracting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted May 7, 2012 Author Share Posted May 7, 2012 It's done for. You should buy a new one right away and send that one to me. If the cracks start to become a physical impediment, you have an issue. Otherwise - no worries. When you say an issue.. does that mean that it would need a re-binding? (which hopefully i wont ever have to worry about :)) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfpup Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 What I mean is that only if the crack begins to get in the way of your playing will it be an issue. I would think that to be very highly unlikely. These types of cracks are normally fine enough that they can't even be felt - not to mention be large enough to hang one's hand up while playing. If it did become something big enough to hamper your playing, I imagine fill and sand would work instead of re-bind. That prolly ain't gonna happen in your lifetime though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrosurfer1959 Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 yep pretty much looks like every gibson guitar I own form the 70s to the 90s never been a issues yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrosurfer1959 Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 yep pretty much looks like every gibson guitar I own form the 70s to the 90s never been a issues yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinh Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 My '72 has had these cracks for at least 20 years. When these develop quickly, they are usually due to the ends of the fret tang being a little to long, or the fingerboard being improperly cured, a manufacturing defect. However, when this develops around the age of your instrument, it's due to normal shrinkage of everything except the fret tang. I have seen some of the develop on 50's instruments to the point where the binding cracks through at two consecutive frets, and a small section of binding falls off. However, as other posters have said, until that happens, or until you start to feel the binding lift and it distracts from your playing, I wouldn't worry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPguitarman Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 I don't think you have to re-bind it, but you will probably loose the nubs if you have a re-fret. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 yes, that is normal for sure. As mentioned that is caused from the wood expanding (in the humid months) and contracting in the drier winter months. The frets are impervious to the climate changes, the wood is not. Best way to minimize the damage the elements can do to any guitar is to keep em cased until you're gonna play em. But for this, not to worry. you're golden. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted May 8, 2012 Author Share Posted May 8, 2012 yes, that is normal for sure. As mentioned that is caused from the wood expanding (in the humid months) and contracting in the drier winter months. The frets are impervious to the climate changes, the wood is not. Best way to minimize the damage the elements can do to any guitar is to keep em cased until you're gonna play em. But for this, not to worry. you're golden. Thanks for the replies I thought that would be the case but just wanted to be sure ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 I don't think you have to re-bind it, but you will probably loose the nubs if you have a re-fret. That depends of course, on the luthier you're using!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony_J Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 As everyone else has stated: Normal. Hell, my 2011 ES-335 has them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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