"2NDS"

[PUCKBOY99]

What makes a company stamp a guitar a "2nd" ?

I recently traded an amp for an Epi SG Custom. I got the guitar yesterday & it plays & looks pretty nice. But I see on the back of the headstock right above the serial number an embedded "2nd". The guy never revealed that to me, which kind of ticked me off.

I went over it with a fine tooth comb & aside from a couple of minor finish flaws & a little bit off on the nut measurement(seems cut too short/slight gap), I really don't see why it would be stamped that way.

Also, resale value on an Epi sucks as it is. What does this do to the resale value, even if I upgrade the crap out of it???

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: "2NDS"

What makes a company stamp a guitar a "2nd" ?

I recently traded an amp for an Epi SG Custom. I got the guitar yesterday & it plays & looks pretty nice. But I see on the back of the headstock right above the serial number an embedded "2nd". The guy never revealed that to me, which kind of ticked me off.

I went over it with a fine tooth comb & aside from a couple of minor finish flaws & a little bit off on the nut measurement(seems cut too short/slight gap), I really don't see why it would be stamped that way.

Also, resale value on an Epi sucks as it is. What does this do to the resale value, even if I upgrade the crap out of it???

2nds could be a tone of things...finish, bad nut, mis aligned tuner, inlay priblems, etc...anything that is WRONG that does not affect the playibility of the guitar is a 2nd. As for the resale i think it will be a problem, as the resale of Epiphones are kinda low anyway, the fact that is it a 2nd might make it worse...that said with a load of upgrades myybe the buyer wont care...i know that I wouldn't. Good luck bro!

 

[Bludave]

Re: "2NDS"

Actually you can get a hint by where the "2" is stamped as to what defects (if any) caused the instrument to not pass quality inspection. If the 2 is stamped into the wood there is a defect somewhere in the wood itself that did not pass inspection. If the 2 is stamped into the guitar after the finish has been applied than more than likley the defect is in the paint. I have 335 from the early 80's that has a 2 stamped into the top of the laquer. At very close inspection I have noticed some very minor, and I mean barley noticeable blister in the finish. The guitar plays and sounds great.
I have not seen a Gibby with this stamped in it for a really long time, and I feel many of the new guitars have had many issues that years back would have classed it as a "2nd". I think the inspection process has changed over the years to some degree. IMO most factory seconds were related to finish, or maybe a non strutural crack that was repaired before the finish was applied. In no way to I feel these are inferior playing guitars!!

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: "2NDS"

Thanks guys!

Pretty much what I figured. There is a very slight blister by the heel/strap button area...

The guitar is pretty nice & it really doesn't bother me. I'll keep it around for a while; already got the new pickups, new wiring, pots etc...it just bothers me that the guy didn't tell me 'cause in all honesty, I wouldn't have made the deal had I known.

Blah blah blah.......It's a cool SG, my 1st SG, & I like it. I guess that's the bottom line! :beerchug:

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: "2NDS"

Another thing they stamp is "Not for Resale" Those are usually demo guitars that the company reps take around to stores, or end up in the hands of endorsees.

 

[seafoamer]

Re: "2NDS"

I had a 1967 Gibson es-175 that was stamped 2nd & a 1989 Les Paul Custom stamped not for resale. (re)sold them both.