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Thread: Question about Finish Chipping

  1. #1

    Default Question about Finish Chipping

    I bought this new Gibson F-5G, at the end of September. And I’ve noticed these chips on the bottom edge of the fret board in the finish. I play it just about every day for about 30 minutes to an hour, give or take.

    Is this normal? And will it cause problems with the fret board if not fixed? Thanks

    I’m not sure how to add a picture, or I would. Sorry

  2. #2
    Registered User sunburst's Avatar
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    Default Re: Question about Finish Chipping

    We'll need pictures to have an idea of what's going on. It may indicate a structural problem, but it might be that the chipping is the only problem. Is it normal? Maybe...

  3. #3

    Default Re: Question about Finish Chipping

    Click image for larger version. 

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  4. #4

    Default Re: Question about Finish Chipping

    I figured out how to post a picture, thanks.

  5. #5
    Registered User sunburst's Avatar
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    Default Re: Question about Finish Chipping

    OK, it makes more sense now. I'd call that the top edge of the 'board.
    It not a real problem, other than aesthetically.
    As for being normal, well kind of. When a finish is applied that thick it can tend to be chippy.

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Question about Finish Chipping

    No. Not normal. Were they there when you bought it? Or did they develop? Finishes unfortunately are usually not covered in warranties.

    Probably, a good luthier could do a drop fill and get you good results for not too much green. Many put some lacquer in a small jar and let some of the solvent evaporate off so that the lacquer is more viscous to make it easier to handle for jobs like these.
    Don

    2016 Weber Custom Bitterroot F
    2011 Weber Bitterroot A
    1974 Martin Style A

  7. #7

    Default Re: Question about Finish Chipping

    They’ve developed in the month or so that I’ve owned it.

  8. #8
    Chu Dat Frawg Eric C.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: Question about Finish Chipping

    That looks like some pretty thick finish.

  9. #9
    Gummy Bears and Scotch BrianWilliam's Avatar
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    Default Re: Question about Finish Chipping

    Do you wear a ring?

  10. #10
    Registered User archerscreek's Avatar
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    Default Re: Question about Finish Chipping

    It doesn't look "normal" to me. But I've seen similar stuff happen to guitars that got too dry and needed humidifiers. If the flaws were only in the area of the fret end, I'd guess the wood was drying and shrinking (given the season), and the fret wire, which doesn't shrink with the wood, then popped out and caused the finish to crack off there.

    Looks like one blemish is between the frets, however. But maybe once that seamless bond is broken at a fret end it weakens the bond everywhere near there. I'm only guessing/speculating. I'd bring it to the dealer's attention and see what they say.

  11. #11
    Registered User sunburst's Avatar
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    Default Re: Question about Finish Chipping

    There is an edge there; the finish stops at the corner of the fingerboard because there is no finish on the fingerboard surface. The finish is also applied very thickly. That combination; thick finish coming to an edge, is a recipe for finish chipping. That's why I said it is 'kind of' normal. It is to be expected when a thick finish comes to an edge.

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  13. #12

    Default Re: Question about Finish Chipping

    I don’t wear a ring.

  14. #13

    Default Re: Question about Finish Chipping

    Can you say speed neck?
    Silverangel A
    Arches F style kit
    1913 Gibson A-1

  15. #14

    Default Re: Question about Finish Chipping

    I hadn’t even thought of speed necks. If I had’ve, I would’ve known it wasn’t anything to worry about.

    Thanks for all the replies, mandolin peeps!

  16. #15
    Registered User slimt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Question about Finish Chipping

    Quote Originally Posted by Dustin86 View Post
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    kind of looks like someone slipped there finger off the fingerboard and caught there nail on the edge,, chipping the finish,,.

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