Gibsons QC is ridiculous. The fretboard often has problems. However at 1:36, the headstock of explorers consists of multiple parts of wood. They glue these parts together and, as a result, may have a seam. When painted over this seamline could be visible. This should not be mistaken with headstock separation. So what you're seeing at 1:36 is perfectly normal and is nothing to worry about. Check the body in the light, if it isn't one piece of wood you might see a seamline there as well. Over a long period of time (talking about years here, if not decades) the glued parts could losen up a bit resulting in seperation, then the paint starts to sink in the seam (check internet), that is when you should start to worry about these things. In short, the seamline on the headstock won't affect the selling price of your guitar (out of my experience pretty much all Gibsons have one somewhere) and people wont be suspicious about a headstock repair (especially if there into Gibsons they know these basic things). And if they are suspicious just be able to prove the finish is original (you can kind of do that under blacklight).
Yeah honestly I'm more of a fender or squier and Epiphone these days I got an amazing Les Paul classic from Epiphone and it was the inspired by Gibson line I feel they are paying way more attention at QC than Gibson why pay 2000 when you could pay 600$ and the only thing is it may not have the exact sounding pick ups but honestly the classic came with alnico 5 zebras
Oh I know, the bigger concern for me was just the optics on the secondary. Might scare away an uneducated buyer. But sunken glue lines are totally normal. Just not exactly what I wanted to see.
I hate calling out companies. But I think AMS makes money by taking B-Spec or guitars that don’t make the grade and reselling them. They probably “refurbish” them, but every time I bought from AMS I received a Gibson with a crack in the neck. I’m used to Gibsons breaking, but to receive guitars “brand new” like that is even too much for me. And I don’t care about scratches or finish at all. AMS is specifically doing this, reselling broken guitars and making probably tons of money on the turn over. If you’re gonna buy broken gear and resell it at least try to fix it 🤷🏻♂️. I’ve been done with AMS for a long time
Gibson Q.C. is Crap & has been since early 2000's, NO MATTER WHAT COMPANY U BUY IT FROM! GIBSON IS THE "WORST BANG FOR THE BUCK! Less than 50% are KEEPER's. Their Warranty Is GARBAGE, I Know this From Personal Experience IT's A COMPLETE JOKE!
I honestly don't think I'd ever buy a Gibson. I have an Epiphone, an LTD, and a Fender and all three of them combined have less issues than one Gibson does.
That's true it could just be the shops issues but it does look a little suspicious just in placement cause that's not really from picking unless whoever touched that guitar just started playing which is possible but I highly doubt
Recently bought a gibson sg 61, at first I thought the quality control was exceptionally well, but when I changed to the rhythm pickup, it would completely phase out. All of the knobs were also place unevenly.
I got a Custom Shop Junior DC for a bargain. Had to snag it. Whilst it's miles ahead playability wise compared to the regular models, it's still not flawless. I can't fathom how it's possible to produce such shoddy work at these price points...
Yeah there should be b stock nark downs people would luv a 7-900$ guitar then they actually might be more of a competition to fender cause they're player series are up to 750-1100 depending on model
My new exp had a weird neck joint, cracks on the pick guard where the screws were smashed in too deep and the finish is bubbled and flaking off the neck near the 12th fret. I had a luthier touch it up a bit to make it playable but it will never look perfect without more major work.
You should never have to take a Gibson to a Lutheir unless its vintage maybe and even then some have the miles but still play amazing nothing will beat 50s 60s Les Paul peak QC, or if your doing something unnatural like modding it bigsbys nut replacement and lower action for metal and even that is doable without really messing with it
This seems to be consistent. There’s so many other guitars out there I’ve already got one Gibson that’s enough. Don’t need a Kramer. Would rather spend 3/4/5k on PRS, EBMM, Kiesel, ESP USA, Suhr, many more. Gonna pass on another Gibson until they give me good reason not to.
Imagine a dealer network that isn't based off of large volume internet orders. In person purchases ensure that the manufacturers work is acceptable with the end purchaser and the dealer selling the item. I don't understand why large online retailers don't scrutinize their stock orders more.
This is sadly due to profit margins. Gibson has a baseline profit margin, and they need to keep that margin at all costs. (steady rate. ) The rate cannot drop under any circumstances. They have to pump out a certain amount of guitars per month or they lose money. This is why their QC sucks. They are forced to pump out unfinished guitars which hurts the company and us, the consumer. Its an unsustainable “lose /lose” situation.
I have a Trans Amber Epiphone LP and a Korina Explorer from 2010. Nearly flawless in the construction and finish. Seymour Duncan black/cream went in to both guitars. Intonation and action fine tuning were the only thing they needed. I've had them all, and these play as well as my ibsons. They're too busy worrying about Mark Greasy and his filthy t-shirt and 5 O'clock shadow threatening law suits than making sure their ridiculously overpriced guitars are flawless.
unless you get custom shop, youre gonna find issues on every guitar, i worked at sam ash for a long time and youd be shocked what we would get out of the box. generally its upto the tech in the shop to go over (being me) and fix all the bs from who ever, Ibanez is the wrost followed by jackson atm for QC issues, best company ive seen so far is ESP and fender ultra. what i would suggest is when you buy, already pre book a lutheir to sit down and go over it and finish off the guitar, otherwise, buy used for a discount and build it out. 9/10 times youll get a better guitar than new anyways
Honestly, if a new guitar is that far gone, they should be stamping "DEMO" on the back of the headstock and sell it at a loss. My recent Danelectro arrived cleaner than that. My Demo Shop LPC arrived cleaner than that. Whoever's been filing necks at Gibson for the past few years should seriously be fired. Those mauled nib-notches have become far too common to be a coincidence.
Kinda FUNNY MAAAAAAN So many people ordering online and never seeing the guitar until delivery is NOT the right way to buy a guitar. Is that the way you did it???? Best way is to stick to your guns and GO TO THE Guitar store and pick em up and play them inspect them do all you want before you buy... Ordering online is not the best plan for buying a guitar. You don't know who is sending it you don't even know if it is a real Product with all the fakes out there!!!! Again, Go to the store in person and find your favorite guitar to buy never order online man... I hate the idea of sweet water they suck... If anything is wrong and you need the guitar for a gig that night you will have to deal with it... I'd rather get one from my local store... DONE DEAL...
