I've made a DECISION on the Jackson SL3X... 

That fretboard looked like one Rickenbacker would use. Not disclosing the chipped headstock is an automatic return or at least get a discount on the price.

The darker fretboard is a visual illusion when the photos are taken with a closed down irus to compensate for all the white going on with the guitar. It's crunched the colours and sent the brown fretboard do a much darker hue. Convenient sales trick because a darker fretboard always looks cool. That chip is huge damage..That's an absolute return.

I have no doubt it was a purposeful omission. Too many pictures omitting the headstock and tip.

Hey steve, I think that was the right decision. I am sure you will find the right one 👍

That’s pretty shady for seller to not disclose the chipped headstock. I know it’s common, but true integrity would have disclosed that and let you know in advance instead of feeling slighted.

I find it hard at times to judge the relative darkness of a fretboard if the pic's are not a decent quality...I like to see good close-up shots of the fretboard.

I think the fretboard difference is in the angle of the light. notice how the shadows are on the left of the guitar, the light is hitting on the right, enough to show the guitar while not reflecting off the fretboard.

Thanks for the video Steve, I’ve got a neon orange SL3X I had to tiger stripe with electrical tape for the WAF while it’s in the living room 😉. Actually just got it back from Ohillip McKnights Sharpen My Axe contest, now upgraded with killer custom Duncans. Love the fast thin neck. Appreciate all you do brother.

Even though I said before that I'd keep it and demand a partial refund, you made the right decision, Steve. That missing chunk is worse than I thought, and the fretboard is lighter than I realized at first. And the way they falsely advertised it, even using lighting trickery to darken the fretboard.....yeah man, back it goes!

I ordered a BRAND NEW LTD 7 string from GC in December and they sent me a floor model with an absolutely giant dent in the side. When I called customer service about it, the guy told me they do that all the time if an online order gets pulled from local stock and they don't have any new in box. . .pretty shady. I would understand if I had agreed to a B stock and paid less, but I most certainly did not. I returned it and ordered from SW. I'm not sure I'll ever buy anything new from GC. It's a shame they keep getting worse.

I wonder how many times that guitar has been sold and then returned. If they would just be honest in the advertising they would find it a home, for a right price.

Does it spark joy in you? Is it a florescent light I hear or is something buzzing up the noise floor when Steve’s talking?

Awe man. Yes. Screenshot. I ordered an Ibanez SA 120. As it had listed in description and In pic the pickups installed were JP crunchlab liquifire. It arrived with the INF and I had a fit. They sent me brand new set of pertrucci CL and LF. Hahahahahahahaha. I love it.

Steve, I had a similar experience... Dane @ ZIMM'S Guitars just posted the video on my used Bonamassa LP from Guitar Center.

When returning damaged gear, You're supposed to call customer service # first. Same thing happened to me with a used Jackson Rhoads. I got a FULL refund, including shipping. Good luck, love your channel!

Good man! I always do an unboxing video when I've bought gear online! I mean, without the chip: you could stain the fingerboard but that guitar HAS TO GO BACK for a refund! :) PS: Some sellers/guitar sellers list non-rosewood as rosewood if it's a derivative (especially on import guitars)! Not exactly honest. I am not saying Jackson do that but I totally get why you want rosewood if you ordered rosewood. I have laurel/pau ferro boarded guitars but do not like them as much. I actually have a great Jazzmaster with a PF board that I am selling because I want RW...

after selling back,offer $300.00 ,TAKE A WHITE CRAYON and a blue flame.,melt drops on chip spot ,let cool good. Then buff down shape the ding. Scotch bright or felt. a box of crayons can come in handy. alot but not all colors match good. but will smooth over a ding.

I like the light color. Looks badass.

Guitar Center is known for doing this.

yeah you were right: it's listed again for the same price, same condition specified (Used - Great) and with the same photos (with the tip of the headstock cut off)

I feel ya Steve. GCs Used listing pics and descriptions are terrible. I bought two NEW guitars from them online. They were both floor models. They were wrapped in a bunch of bubble wrap in another brands box.They both had chips in the finish. I returned them both to my local GC for a new in box. They gave me $50 off both and a new Guitar. That was awesome of them. I now buy new from Sweetwater. I've found great used deals on GC online but I always call and request more photos.

I have a metallic white 1987 USA Soloist SL1. Jet black ebony fingerboard. It is a thing of utter beauty and no chip on the headstock after 35 years of it being my #1 guitar. Love Jackson!

treating with "Monty's Montypresso - The Original Guitar Relic Wax" is the perfect way to darken a non finished fretboard (like this)

The guitar that you have is white and the one on the guitar center website is white pearl also GC uses stock pics sometimes i always call the store that has the used item and get a salesperson to snap some in store photos and send them.

I had an RR24M that had an exact chip on the headstock like that… First day I got it, it fell off of the stand and slid 4’ off a stage…lol Just picked up a SL3X on sale, put a JB in the bridge, set it up and it shreds. The neck/middle pickups kinda suck so Ill do something about that next string change.

Hahahaha! "Like the Zapruder film I broke down the unboxing frame by frame." Certainly not laughing at your plight with the Jackson. Tuning in from Somerville btw 🤘!

13:48 Steve.. you almost said 'Fing' right there and caught it :)

Honestly I think it was the lighting from the GC pics. It's well lit but it's not directly on the guitar itself. They're bouncing light with the white background. But you're right, it's hard to shake that feeling and that sours your vibe. Probably would have done the same.

I had a 2012 Squier CV strat that had a fretboard like that and a Squier VM strat with Indian laurel that looked much netter than the rosewood. But nothing compared to the almost ebony black fretboard on my old Japanese e series. Everyone thinks I dyed the fretboard. But no I tell them this was normal back in the day !

after mowing an acre with a tiny mower, this was great. thank you.

Good decision to not only get rid of it, but return it, and get all your money back. These are a dime a dozen - find one without the headstock bashed, and a darker rosewood board. Also, I always call GC and get a sales person to examine the gear and describe any issues, etc. Their used gear photos look like they are taken with the first digital camera ever made, and can't be trusted!

Wise choice… great video.

I bought a used guitar from a Guitar Center in California a few weeks ago. The picture of the guitar advertised had white pickups and switch tip. When I received the guitar it had black pickups and switch tip. It was the same guitar in the picture but for some reason they pulled the pickups out and replaced them with pickups that were a different color and were F spaced for a floyd. The guitar doesn't have a floyd it has a Wilkinson bridge so the pickup poles no longer line up with the strings.When I called to ask why they switched the pickups, they put me on hold forever. I was at work and couldn't stay on hold all day so I hung up.. i love the guitar and didn't want to return it so I let it slide and I will just replace the pickups. Guitar Center does some shady stuff sometimes.

Almost had a heart attack today, I have an Edwards EMR85 (Jackson style inlays) from 1997, bought new in Osaka in 1999, so Ive had it for 23 years. It has a chip exactly where that one is which I put there myself many years ago. Anyway, my wife walks in from work with shopping bags and the headstock is sticking over the edge of the couch, the bag catches the headstock and pulls it off the couch..felt like slow motion...but! It landed flat onto the wooden floor, no damage, phew!! If it was a les Paul it would have been a different story I think...

I have a 2016 SL3X same color and has a rosewood (dark) fretboard! You made a good decision returning to GC.

I was in the keep it camp ... I see your point now

I'm sure you'll find another one down the road Steve. I'd always be suspect of a listing that doesn't show the guitar in good detail, no excuses not to. A close up of the fretboard would have been nice too.

Good for you on returning it to GC. Anything less than your satisfaction is a crime to your psyche

Hey Steve, my white Jackson Sl3X definitely had a darker rosewood fretboard than what you got. With the chip in the headstock and the lighter rosewood I definitely stand behind your decision. Great content as always! Been a subscriber since I was in high school 10 years ago and still enjoy your content to this day.

I own quite a few Jackson guitars. Two out of three with that type headstock when you buy used will have that chip on the headstock. Two out of three of every Rhoads Jackson I bought new has that chip either on the headstock or the bottom tips of the body or both. It's just the nature of the beast.

If the piece of the headstock was stuck in the bubble wrap I'd call that shipping damage. It's still pretty weird that all the pics omitted that portion of the guitar.

Good decision Steve. Don’t settle for something that isn’t what it’s supposed to be.

Hey Steve looks like GC put the same listing back up after you returned it Same photos and everything. Listed as GREAT condition. There is one listed at another GC showing the light fingerboard and a dime sized ding in the body finish for $399 in FAIR condition.

The fact that there was no close up of the headstock front or back and that the top of the headstock was cut off in all the photos should have alerted your curiosity to where you would enquire about that before purchasing.

After seeing those screenshots I have to agree it looks like a whole different guitar.. and if it wasn’t they sure bud that chip.. and also since you won’t have the hassle of shipping back, I think you made the right choice brother!! I’ve played a lot of Jackson KE3’s and I have to tell you that one sounded better than the KE3 to me. And I agree I’ve always loved the necks on Jackson guitars.. fassssssttt

Good decision to return it you clearly weren't too happy with it. I have 2 SL3X's a taxi cab yellow and the absinthe frost green, Both good but I wasn't happy with the fret jobs. When I adjusted the truss rods and set the action where I like it I had to many buzzy spots so I gave both guitars a complete fret level, crown and polish and after that they play great. \m/

I always call guitar center and ask for more pics. Move up to the pro series soloists much better than SLX series

Good call, you got to follow your gut!

They not only did Guitar Center not disclose that it had a chipped headstock, the photos were intentionally cropped to cover it up. That's not accidental. I'd be complaining to somebody in the national headquarters about it. They wasted a half-day of your time to process the return.

Early 2019 I got a used Jackson fanned fret 7 string through GC online. The pictures were dated 2017, listed as Near Mint so it felt a little suspicious. I had it shipped directly to the closest GC store in case anything went wrong. It arrived with several noticeable dings, some which chipped the stained wood down to the bare body. Also the neck pickup was bashed in, with wires hanging out. I returned it for a full refund. Of course, the next week my local GC put it back online for the same price, Near Mint, without changing any of the pictures. I've never shopped there since.

That was the right choice 👍🏻

Turn it into a blem repair video, or mini video series. (after you get a discount) /grin I bet GC has it sold in hours from the time it goes up on the site, if not quicker. With this exposure I'd think someone here grabs it. I might if I didn't already have a pending list going on. :)

Good call. They tried to hose you by not mentioning the big chunk out. Strong case for bait and switch too since the fretboard colors don't match. Glad you aren't going to let them slide. 🤘

This stuff happens more than it should with GC. I just recieved a Dean ML Select today that was listed as "good." Guitar belongs in the dumpster. Entire neck heal is broken, about 3 inches of binding broke off the bottom, 1" finish chip in top, mismatched knobs, broken pickup switch, 1 replaced tuner thats totally different than the other 5 along with various knicks and dings. Other than that it's great. LOL! Why waste my time!?? It's going straight back asap. Wish I could share pictures...you wouldn't believe what a pile of garbage they sold me, thinking I'd be perfectly happy with it.

Good decision you can probably return it and ask for some sort of discount on any other guitar you might want

Steve your making the correct choice. The PHOTO'S prove your point beyond arguments.

Agreed,looks like a Ric fretboard and the chip warrants a return

its a tough choice especially when its already in hand. but you made the right call, it's just tainted with lies. also to me it looks like they photoshopped the picture like adjusting the contrast or something, to me the already black hardware looks muddy. but that's hard to tell on this end. good call!!

Good choice...now roll that money into a White ESP Arctic White Phoenix 1000. Would love to see that or a Gibson\Epi Firebird with full humbuckers.

Yep it feels like they were less than honest with the pics and the condition description. If it were me....I would feel like they were thinking..."ok we will take some creative pics hiding this ding....fudge a little on the description...and find a sucker that will buy it. They won't go through the hassle of returning it and we move some inventory". Don't like being taken advantage of.

It just popped up for sale again at Guitar Center. Still listed as great condition using the same misleading photos. Same price too.

Steve, if you notice GC photo practices are vague at best on purpose perhaps.. note the guitar was either side lit or even back lit to cast shadows on the fretboard .. frankly ... Their pictures suck.. but no denying the headstock was left out of the picture.. I have found even Music Go Round to have much better pictures of guitars actual condition.. and similar price levels..I can respect your decision there..

Yeah, the headstock damage isn't just a scratch to cite Monty Python. It's a chipped-off, screw you, kind of damage. That's an automatic return to the sender! The Kramer SM-1 cost more even used, but it has Ebony fret board & real Seymour-Duncan (they also have the EMG version for those who want that) pickups on top of the Floyd. Since you already have that one, the Jackson SL3X is an inferior product. It's only great if you're already Jackson's neck affectionado and it is in pristine condition.

Well my 2 cents, that's underhanded for a big company to pull that shady type of business. Clearly the online add made no mention of the chip and the top of the headstock was conveniently cropped in the pics. I would think twice about making a purchase from 'said company' in fact I would avoid it like covid. Glad you are packing it up and sending it back.

I’ve always hated how beyond crappy guitar centers listings are. Ive had better picture quality on my old 30 flip phone. Failing to have any decent description or even having the wrong names the majority of the time. They would sell a lot more guitars if they would actually attempt, and could even restore a stigma of being a good company

Interestingly, I cannot find photos of used guitars on GC that mistakenly crop to the top of the guitar off.

GOOD move! Stand up for yourself!! This is NOT ok......it's just a silly chip, but they clearly lied....and you'll always look at that guitar and it will remind you that you Let someone pull one over on you!

Did you look in the packaging for a chip that may have happened in shipping? I really think there is a huge percentage of a chance that they have deceived you willfully but is was shipped in bubble wrap which does nothing to protect pointy objects.

It looks like they upped the contrast on the photo. Notice how you can easily see the pole pieces on yours but not theirs.

I got hit with something fairly similar, although off of Musician's friend, which is the online equivalent of Sweetwater for Guitar Center. I bought an SL4X and it was advertised to be in excellent condition. When it got to me, there was a huge chip in the body, barely/improperly mounted pickups, and a completely free floating tone pot that was only held on by the knob itself. If it were another 100 dollars off, or at least labelled and pictured well enough to see the issues, I'd be a lot more understanding. The one I bought and returned should've been labelled fair or poor at best.

I had the identical SL3X and my white one also had a REALLY, really light fretboard as well. I just couldn't do it. LOL

I have a brand new x series for sale in taxicab yellow with a case! I couldn’t get on with the 25 1/2 scale...

Good decision! That chip would just eat me up. lol I have a Rhoads that is an X with neck through. Found it used at GC and someone had put a real Duncan in it as well as an Emerson cap. $350 ... SCORE! lol That was a couple years ago. I was so over the moon I bought a case for it.

Maybe apply some conditioner to the fretboard and see if it darkens it up but looks like Indian laurel to me.

After seeing a better picture of the damage I would send it back. There's no touching it up. You paid that much money you should be happy with it. If it bugs you, it will always bug you. SEND IT BACK.

Always go with your guitar gut! I would have returned it too

Honestly most newer jackson have a horrendous reputation for quailty. I know this is a used model but damn they all seem to have some kind of issue.

I have the slime green one . It's not florescent. Not sure about pink

My orange Sl4x is florescent under a black light and the fretboard is actually dark

Right decision in my opinion. And yeah, if you can find the hot pink you’d be totally stepping back into 80s and we love 80s. Go for it Steve!

You made the right decision. I get more honesty on eBay.

I was in the kitchen and bath business and some of our factory built birch cabinets were dirt cheap. However, even when almost "giving our product away", I found myself being consistently undercut by a couple of competitors that sold imported cabinets that were presented as birch. There are several species of wood in Asia that we aren't even aware of - and some of them have a similar appearance to woods we are familiar with. I did some research and I was convinced that I was losing jobs because the imported product just looked similar to the wood I was selling. I have become suspicious that this type of thing is happening in the guitar business - most certainly in the low-end stuff. You just never really know if it is sneaking its way into the larger companies' way of doing business. By the way, I would just do some light sanding and touch up the corner of that guitar with a tiny color-matched can of paint from Home Depot ($5) - you got a good price on a used product.

Yeah I'd have returned it ... good call.

Smart choice. You have better axes already. That chip would haunt you. Maybe it happened in shipping?

good choice on returning .if you don't you will always regret it.

I'll buy it. I'm in Rhode Island.

GC photos are always dark also I've always been nervous buying used from them online .

The pictures from the GC listing had weird contrast so the board looked darker. Next time ask for more pics before buying.

Dang that’s not a ding. That’s definitely a large chip. That’s worth a big discount because that’s not in great condition. Return or keep with a discount. I like to buy em like that, but that’s because it’s always disclosed and reflected in the price. I just got a dinged and chipped US telecaster that way with big discount.

Check intonation saddle position. See if they ar the same

You want a dark fretboard always go ebony.

Loved the Kramer tremolo setup with 2 springs for 9s. Do you have a vid with how you setup a guitar with a floydrose?

Looks like they used lighting and/or filters/effects to make the fretboard appear darker too....

That's the right decision. Many years ago when Charvel Model 2s could still be had for less than $400 I gassed for one so hard. And I saw so many with the dreaded ding on the tip of the headstock, and I knew I wouldn't ever want one knowing someone had done that. I really think the light fretboard would have been acceptable without the headstock damage.

You pretty much always have to call the store and ask them to send you pics in hand of the guitar you’re interested in. GC has seemingly no morals or ethics in their used stuff. They sold me a Custom shop SG with a clear as day headstock repair that was never shown in the photos or mentioned in the description. The price wasn’t even reflective of it. I should of called and asked for pics first.

Sellers use the Law of Average…pass this off as something it’s not and eventually they make the final sale to someone. Glad you don’t settle and stick to your own standards.

The verdict is in.

How many people said..."have a raffle or giveaway" ? Cough--- just curious.

You can't complain about the color of the fretboard. The Guitar you bought is called the Michael Jackson. Starts off black ends up white!

The fretboard looks a lot darker from the grassy knoll...