• From: New Castle, DE USA
  • Registered: 2011-01-03
  • Posts: 1,256

Topic: Need some advice...

...about an issue with my Epiphone JBLP.  I got it in December 2010 (it was one of the original run), and have never had any issues with it.  A few weeks ago, however, it developed an imperfection that is due (I think) to some sort of movement by the maple cap beneath the finish.  There is a long, completely straight indentation that runs from the bottom of the pickup ring on the neck pickup all the way to where the "bowl" flattens out.  I did my best to get a picture of what it looks like, but the surface is so shiny it is difficult to capture it (it is significantly more visible than it appears to be in the photo):  http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7085/7167 … a6cd_c.jpg

I had the folks at the nearest Gibson/Epiphone dealer take a look at it (same cats who installed the nylon saddles for me), and they said to keep an eye on it to see if it gets any more pronounced.  It hasn't, but still...you can definitely see it, and you can also feel it.  Since I'm the original owner, I'm sure it would be covered by the instrument's warranty, but wouldn't that mean they'd stamp something like "used" or "B-stock" or something on the back of the headstock?  I don't plan to ever sell it (someone's going to inherit it, I imagine), so it would bug me if they did that...

I can't help but think that any separation, even a minor one, in the underlying maple cap is bound to affect the way the guitar sounds, eventually, and I would imagine that, while it hasn't gotten noticeably worse over the last month or so, it might well GET worse as time (and normal changes in humidity) continue to work their magic...

Any of y'all ever seen something like this on an LP before?  Is it worth the candle to have it repaired, or no?

Terrance Shuman
New Castle, DE
  • Registered: 2006-05-08
  • Posts: 1,996

Re: Need some advice...

Huh.  I wonder if it's some movement (crack) along the edge of a grain line in the maple?  Or perhaps these are using non-symmetrical 2 or 3 piece tops and the glue loosened or shrank?  How's the humidity in your house?  Too low over the winter?

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  • From: New Castle, DE USA
  • Registered: 2011-01-03
  • Posts: 1,256

Re: Need some advice...

dknight16 wrote:

Huh.  I wonder if it's some movement (crack) along the edge of a grain line in the maple?  Or perhaps these are using non-symmetrical 2 or 3 piece tops and the glue loosened or shrank?  How's the humidity in your house?  Too low over the winter?

I don't know what "too low" means in relation to things like this.  I know there's a bunch of Les Pauls in this neck of the woods that live in "normal" homes like mine, and no one I've shown this to has ever seen anything like it.  I don't doubt that something is amiss with that maple cap, but I doubt that it's because of brutally low humidity in my abode...  wink

Terrance Shuman
New Castle, DE
  • RickB
  • RickB
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  • From: San Diego
  • Registered: 2009-10-30
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Re: Need some advice...

Just a guess, but that might be a spot of springwood where a twig was growing out. Might have been not so aged and the moisture is drying and shrinking it. It seems to be aligned with the screw holes which would tend to let it breath.
Rick

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  • From: New Castle, DE USA
  • Registered: 2011-01-03
  • Posts: 1,256

Re: Need some advice...

RickB wrote:

Just a guess, but that might be a spot of springwood where a twig was growing out. Might have been not so aged and the moisture is drying and shrinking it. It seems to be aligned with the screw holes which would tend to let it breath.
Rick

Makes sense to me, especially given how straight the indentation is.  So...get it repaired, or no?

Terrance Shuman
New Castle, DE

6 Reply by wharris (edited by wharris 2012-06-09 08:28:20)

  • From: Ridgeland, MS
  • Registered: 2009-08-12
  • Posts: 1,248

Re: Need some advice...

I would have them make it right one way or another.

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Need some advice...

Agreed you paid for a limited life time warranty.  That's why they cost so much to cover the repairs of the screwed up guitars.

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  • From: East Lancashire, UK
  • Registered: 2011-06-24
  • Posts: 3,019

Re: Need some advice...

I would take it back, here in the UK we didn't get the lifetime warranty card like you get. If the worst happens the 'limited run' seems to get longer by the year. They may just replace it with a new one. May be the best option in the long run.

Come on the Blades (sorry Idolbone just had to borrow your line)
  • Registered: 2012-03-29
  • Posts: 84

Re: Need some advice...

Take it back and get it repaired or swapped on warranty. Beware though that alot of manufacturers say that can't be responsible for changes in the guitar to climate change and that it isn't covered as part of the warranty.

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  • From: Ridgeland, MS
  • Registered: 2009-08-12
  • Posts: 1,248

Re: Need some advice...

I was just able to see your photo. Your guitar probable has a three piece maple cap and the finish sunk down into it, which can and does happen. I would be curious to know what the Epiphone response is. If my theory is correct, what you see is only cosmetic and doesn't represent anything for you to worry about.

  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: Need some advice...

wharris wrote:

I was just able to see your photo. Your guitar probable has a three piece maple cap and the finish sunk down into it, which can and does happen. I would be curious to know what the Epiphone response is. If my theory is correct, what you see is only cosmetic and doesn't represent anything for you to worry about.

Good point, and yes if true, its purely cosmetic. A proper refinish will correct it, though ..$$. However, I'd fight tooth and nail with Epiphone to have it fixed regardless of what it might be. It would bug me too, plus you get the $hits of explaining it to everyone over and over again..

12 Reply by sted (edited by sted 2012-06-09 11:09:16)

  • sted
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  • Registered: 2011-03-20
  • Posts: 333

Re: Need some advice...

Are they two piece tops these? Looking at that it might be a three piece top and it could be the join in the cap separating a bit, I would  ask them to sort it, doubt they would though, might just be a replacement job, depends on how much you like that particular guitar.

EDIT: Sorry, Ninja'd by Wharris!