[J Luekemeyer (ACELUEK)]

I have sent an e-mail to Gibson service to see what I should do about this.. This guitar has never been out of my house other than when I had the frets refinished at a authorized Gibson repair shop. The guitar has never been over 85 degrees or less then 65. It has noy been subjected to extreme humidity. I treat this guitar like a baby.. Is this normal??

[S Sill (Scott Sill)]

I haven't ever seen a Gibson do that, but I would think you would need to speak with Gibson Customer service and see if this is covered under warranty. Your guitar is new enough that if you wanted this repaired it wouldn't be like changing an old friend. Besides with the nitrose; it should be an easy fix when done by the right person.

Scott Sill

[D Thompson (rockstar232007)]

That's a finish crack, and won't impact the overall construction of the guitar, so I really wouldn't worry about it if I were you.

It CAN be repaired fairly easily by a certified repair person/luthier though, if your really that worried about it.

[M Berka (EmBee)]

This is a typical finish crack that has developed at the join line where the maple top meets the mahogany back.

This isn't as uncommon as one would think.

Even though guitar manufacturers do their utmost to prevent something like this from happening, there is no way to make 100% sure it doesn't happen.

Different wood species have different ways in which they react to changes in temperature and especially moisture content. Large volume manufacturers (like Gibson) use a number of means (kiln drying, correct storage, moisture control inside the production facilities) to bring down the moisture content of the woods they use to the optimal level, and keep it there.

But even well-dried and well-stored wood does still have a life of its own.

In some cases this leads to the different timbers used in a guitar contracting or expanding at different rates, which then in turn can produce lines or even cracks in the finish. This can happen even to an instrument that has been handled carefully and stored properly.

If the guitar is still under warranty you might check with Gibson to find out if they have any suggestions as to a possible repair.

Personally, I would probably try to live with this.

The only way to be relatively safe from finish cracks of this type (non-abuse) on a guitar from a large volume brand, would be to find a used guitar (5+ years). The timbers should have settled by then.

[J Luekemeyer (ACELUEK)]

M Berka (EmBee), on 14 September 2010 - 06:04 AM, said:

This is a typical finish crack that has developed at the join line where the maple top meets the mahogany back.

This isn't as uncommon as one would think.

Even though guitar manufacturers do their utmost to prevent something like this from happening, there is no way to make 100% sure it doesn't happen.

Different wood species have different ways in which they react to changes in temperature and especially moisture content. Large volume manufacturers (like Gibson) use a number of means (kiln drying, correct storage, moisture control inside the production facilities) to bring down the moisture content of the woods they use to the optimal level, and keep it there.

But even well-dried and well-stored wood does still have a life of its own.

In some cases this leads to the different timbers used in a guitar contracting or expanding at different rates, which then in turn can produce lines or even cracks in the finish. This can happen even to an instrument that has been handled carefully and stored properly.

If the guitar is still under warranty you might check with Gibson to find out if they have any suggestions as to a possible repair.

Personally, I would probably try to live with this.

The only way to be relatively safe from finish cracks of this type (non-abuse) on a guitar from a large volume brand, would be to find a used guitar (5+ years). The timbers should have settled by then.

Yes, I do know that the wood will contract / expand and do expect that cracks could appear on certain guitars. I'm ok with leaving the crack alone, I was just concerned that if I let it go that it could keep growing. Something like a bad glue job.. I had built 4 pieces of furniture when I was younger and had a joint come apart after 10-15 years because of a bad glue job. The other 3 pieces are still fine after 30 years (finish cracks, but not joint cracks) and the wood was not dried or treated as well as Gibson's materials.
Thanks for the reply..

[J Luekemeyer (ACELUEK)]

Well, Gibson's customer service is 2nd to none. I'm very impressed with the response to my warranty work and has really made my day (year). I know my guitar had an issue with the wood which can only be controlled so much. I can say first hand, the Gibson employees I have dealt with on this truly care about the customer and are assets to the company. I know Henry already knows that.

Happy Gibson customer!