Les Paul experts- Suspect neck joint?

All things guitar, Les Pauls, Strats, Teles, Tokai, Ibanez etc. etc. etc.

Moderators: Slowy, Capt. Black

chrisbower
Squier
Posts: 381
meble-kuchenne.warszawa.pl
Joined: Mon Jun 09, 2014 9:11 am
Has liked: 23 times
Been liked: 29 times

Les Paul experts- Suspect neck joint?

Post by chrisbower »

I'm looking at a pretty expensive Les Paul and i've been sent a photo of this-

Image

The seller said that he isn't sure what it is, and that it doesn't wipe off. Now I posted this photo on the 'Gibson Les Paul' group on Facebook and half of the people say it's likely to just be a lacquer crack that's likely to have been exposed to air and turned milky, and the other half think it looks a bit suspect, like excess glue to indicate a neck repair/reset. I'm pretty sure my PRS Tremonti had this problem and I know for a fact that had never had a repair.

What's people's thoughts? Harmless?

User avatar
werdna
Vintage Post Junkie
Vintage Post Junkie
Posts: 2711
Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 8:16 am
Has liked: 590 times
Been liked: 458 times

Re: Les Paul experts- Suspect neck joint?

Post by werdna »

A photo from the angle of the bottom of the neck heel might reveal more.
In life, don't sweat the petty stuff, and don't pet the sweaty stuff.

User avatar
GrantB
ADMIN
Posts: 15843
Joined: Fri Oct 31, 2003 9:04 am
Location: Where I need to be
Has liked: 1353 times
Been liked: 2087 times

Re: Les Paul experts- Suspect neck joint?

Post by GrantB »

Agreed - let's see the heel, and if possible the other side of the neck.

I don't like the look of it but it could be nothing serious.
"Man is the most insane species. He worships an invisible god and destroys a visible nature. Unaware that this nature he's destroying is this god he's worshipping." - Hubert Reeves

mrmofo
Vintage Post Junkie
Vintage Post Junkie
Posts: 2353
Joined: Fri Jun 05, 2015 8:39 am
Has liked: 365 times
Been liked: 135 times

Re: Les Paul experts- Suspect neck joint?

Post by mrmofo »

photo from the top showing string alignment may be worth a look.
what year is the guitar?
There are still some that think the neck PU is moved to accommodate the extra frets which only proves they cannot detect the difference in length of each.

User avatar
GrantB
ADMIN
Posts: 15843
Joined: Fri Oct 31, 2003 9:04 am
Location: Where I need to be
Has liked: 1353 times
Been liked: 2087 times

Re: Les Paul experts- Suspect neck joint?

Post by GrantB »

Without knowing, I reckon this is an 80's or early 90's Custom.
"Man is the most insane species. He worships an invisible god and destroys a visible nature. Unaware that this nature he's destroying is this god he's worshipping." - Hubert Reeves

chrisbower
Squier
Posts: 381
Joined: Mon Jun 09, 2014 9:11 am
Has liked: 23 times
Been liked: 29 times

Re: Les Paul experts- Suspect neck joint?

Post by chrisbower »

I've asked the seller for more photos of the neck joint. It's early 90's. String alignment is perfect.

User avatar
AiRdAd
Vintage Post Junkie
Vintage Post Junkie
Posts: 7691
Joined: Sat Jul 04, 2009 2:33 pm
Has liked: 57 times
Been liked: 696 times

Re: Les Paul experts- Suspect neck joint?

Post by AiRdAd »

GrantB wrote:Without knowing, I reckon this is an 80's or early 90's Custom.
Can you please narrow it down to something closer than two decades!!! hahahaha!!!!
Slowy wrote: To Danny, everyone is either a supplier, customer or a courier.

User avatar
DongHua
Tokai
Tokai
Posts: 491
Joined: Mon Jan 17, 2005 9:03 am
Location: Northshore
Has liked: 48 times
Been liked: 72 times

Re: Les Paul experts- Suspect neck joint?

Post by DongHua »

I’d skip it regardless of what it is. I personally only buy Gibsons upon inspections with my own sight.

chrisbower
Squier
Posts: 381
Joined: Mon Jun 09, 2014 9:11 am
Has liked: 23 times
Been liked: 29 times

Re: Les Paul experts- Suspect neck joint?

Post by chrisbower »

Ok here goes folks. The seller said the guitar has been in storage for about 10 years and he's not aware of any repairs carried out to the guitar prior. All looks well on the back and opposite side. He presumed the whiting was just a result of aging.

I've dealt with the guy before, he's genuine, so I have no reason to believe he's hiding anything. In fact, he said if it turns out to be something that significantly devalues the guitar then he is prepared to undo the deal as it wouldn't be fair.

Image
Image
Image

User avatar
Conway
Vintage Post Junkie
Vintage Post Junkie
Posts: 9837
Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2011 1:33 pm
Location: Auckland
Has liked: 242 times
Been liked: 966 times

Re: Les Paul experts- Suspect neck joint?

Post by Conway »

DongHua wrote:I’d skip it regardless of what it is. I personally never buy Gibsons.
Word brother!
GUITARS ROCK - www.guitarsrock.co.nz
TONE LOUNGE - www.tonelounge.co.nz

User avatar
DongHua
Tokai
Tokai
Posts: 491
Joined: Mon Jan 17, 2005 9:03 am
Location: Northshore
Has liked: 48 times
Been liked: 72 times

Re: Les Paul experts- Suspect neck joint?

Post by DongHua »

Conway wrote:
DongHua wrote:I’d skip it regardless of what it is. I personally never buy Gibsons.
Word brother!
Lol not bad

User avatar
GrantB
ADMIN
Posts: 15843
Joined: Fri Oct 31, 2003 9:04 am
Location: Where I need to be
Has liked: 1353 times
Been liked: 2087 times

Re: Les Paul experts- Suspect neck joint?

Post by GrantB »

It looks fine...but use it as leverage.
"Man is the most insane species. He worships an invisible god and destroys a visible nature. Unaware that this nature he's destroying is this god he's worshipping." - Hubert Reeves

User avatar
jeremyb
Chorus of Organs
Posts: 40878
Joined: Sat Dec 06, 2008 9:03 am
Has liked: 7685 times
Been liked: 4157 times

Re: Les Paul experts- Suspect neck joint?

Post by jeremyb »

GrantB wrote:It looks fine...but use it as leverage.
Isn't that a great way to get a headstock break? :mrgreen:
Slowy wrote: That's the problem; everything rewarding is just such hard work. Regret takes much less effort.

User avatar
AiRdAd
Vintage Post Junkie
Vintage Post Junkie
Posts: 7691
Joined: Sat Jul 04, 2009 2:33 pm
Has liked: 57 times
Been liked: 696 times

Re: Les Paul experts- Suspect neck joint?

Post by AiRdAd »

Stop teasing me Chris, and let me know what the top looks like!!!! hahahaha
Slowy wrote: To Danny, everyone is either a supplier, customer or a courier.

chrisbower
Squier
Posts: 381
Joined: Mon Jun 09, 2014 9:11 am
Has liked: 23 times
Been liked: 29 times

Re: Les Paul experts- Suspect neck joint?

Post by chrisbower »

GrantB wrote:It looks fine...but use it as leverage.
Actually, after someone else helpfully pointed out, I don't think it looks fine. Notice how the gap between the back of the neck and the body binding isn't uniform. There is a much greater distance on the bass side than treble. From every photo I've looked at of other Les Pauls, there is equal spacing between the back of the neck and binding.

Post Reply