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Looks like maybe the guitar slammed on the bottom while in the case? or is it just buffing compound and a bad top finish?
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11-28-2015 12:06 AM
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I'm trying really hard to see what you're referencing, and I just don't seem to... Can you be more specific?
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Binding shrinkage where the neck heel meets the body? It doesn't seem to continue up in the neck-body junction, and if that's true, I'd not worry.
Last edited by oldane; 11-28-2015 at 09:04 AM.
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Same on my ES-139, which I bought brand new and had been hanging on the wall. It's no worry. If you inspect Gibsons at stores, you'll usually find the same "crack" in the finish.
Although, it seems to run deeper along the heel. I wouldn't worry too much about it.
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Bottom of neck heel. Looks like paint has chipped away along a white squiggle:
Originally Posted by rpguitar
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There also looks like discoloration under the neck where it meets the top
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You'd better send that guitar to me for proper disposal.....
Seriously, what brand and gauge strings are on it?
Is it in a super low humidity environment?
Is the action acceptable?
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Light color under neck
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Not sure - haven't bought the guitar. Was thinking about it. Originally Posted by boatheelmusic
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All one can really say is "Okay... so there's that." Those minor cosmetic flaws don't affect the guitar's playability or tone. But every buyer finds different things to be important and/or deal breakers.
I have a '63 ES-175 with a chunk that somehow got sliced off the side of the headstock. The pickguard bracket screws on my '75 L-5C are a bit rusted. My '28 L-5 has a repaired crack off the f-hole and a million little scratches all over.
Okay, so my guitars have some serious miles on them, and the 165 here is probably a bit newish. I'd be hesitant to buy it because of the floater/laminate combination rather than the finish flaws.
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Well, it looks to me like cosmetic flaws consistent with the neck join taking some impact. That's what I'm wondering. How could that squiggly line with some paint chips happen? Then the top - the white under the bass side of the neck could be buffing compound, but I don't know what's going on on the treble side on top under the neck. The three together seem to combine to tell a story.
If it's a cosmetic flaw that one can see its root - yeah, it's just a cosmetic flaw. Lacquer checks, I get. Small nicks in areas exposed to the world like the top or buckle rash, I get. Finish coming off neck from playing so much, etc.
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Hey now, I don't know everything about everything so I'd be concerned about that one too..
l'd be interested in what the seller says. Maybe he can clear up your doubts. It would be great if you posted his explanation.
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Could be environment related (lack of humidity) or the neck may have had some stress which made the finish crack and chip. If the neck joint is weaken it might lead to tuning problem, no way to know by just looking.
Like RP said, personally I would also pass on that one and mostly because it is the floater version...
If you are into buying an ES 165 because you are into the 175ish tone, there was one for sale by a member here at a very good price:
https://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/sale/...pping-obo.html
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I'm pretty sure that you're looking at a combination of flawed finishing technique in the joints between wood members, coupled with the effects of different humidity conditions over time. I personally would not worry about those things being due to trauma.
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Cool, thanks. Seller said "looks like buffing compound". Literally that's it.
The guitar has the most beautiful figured wood I've seen paired together - wasn't particularly looking for a 165.
Will pass...
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That's a pretty 165. FWIW, I haven't enjoyed the "Herbs" with the floating pickups as much as those with the set-in pickups...the market pretty much agrees with me, it seems.
The markings you note suggest that the guitar might have been banged or jostled hard enough, at some point, to "snap" the lacquer right at the point that it covers the binding/neck heel joint. It doesn't appear to have structurally damaged the neck joint from the pictures you show.
Here's what I think, however: if you go to sell the guitar, at some point, _you_ are going to be faced with explaining the issue to the next person and will face the possible low-ball offer from him/her. (I have a daughter who is a serious guitarist.) You might want, therefore, to look and see if you can find another "Herb" to compare it against...maybe one with a set-in humbucker.
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definitely compound rubbed into a finish crack.
the majority of archtops will develop a finish crack around the neck joint over time
I can tell from the outside shots who the seller is w/out even clicking the link.
he regularly compounds all the guitars he sells
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OK, I'll chime in.
I have a 1995 ES135 where the binding on the body where it meets the heel of the neck and only there (not around the top or the sides of the neck) has the same issue.
The seller priced it down a bit and I'm happy to have it.
Gibson (AFAIK) is the only maker I've seen the heel of the neck cover the body binding like that. Every other maker makes the heel short by the thickness on the binding. I say no big deal but it's your money.
Here's a pic of mine.
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As our experts have proved You don't have to worry those. But You can speak the price lower because of these "time bombs" or what ever You want.
What comes to the laminate + floater thing I would buy the git and put a reissue DeArmond Rhythm Chief on it!
Beautiful thing it is!
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Or a CC Originally Posted by Herbie
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hard to determine from pics..but some other apparent marks on neck..besides joint issues..may suggest it took a tumble..or some issue...even a tight fitting case can cause trouble
cheers
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That guitars been looking for a buyer for nearly 6 months or more. I nearly bought it 5 months ago based upon its superb shading - But passed because it was suggested the floater although appearing like a Gibson BJB, is not...the seller didn't know, and didn't care to find out...so again, I passed. The price has lowered $200 over the last month or so. This seller out of San Diego does a nice job displaying large photos in his ads. He's got a nice Hutchins L4 for $3300...it's red so I passed.
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Awesome thanks guys. The guitar caught my eye as a recommendation on another guit on ebay. It's about $300-400 over other Herb Ellis' but the wood is premium.
GAS os strong at the moment. Been pondering over a blonde 16" Triggs or a refinished '61 ES-345
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