man-in-moon
New member
I just got an explorer faded in today and am really let down. The frets are awful and already cut me. But the neck and fretboard are not right from the 16-19th frets. It makes playing in that area feel odd.
NGD let down
- Thread starter man-in-moon
- Start date
Masta' C
Well-known member
Re: NGD let down
Did you buy it new?
Finding a well-made USA Gibson these days is like finding a needle in a haystack, ESPECIALLY when it comes to the fretwork. That's the one thing that consistently turns me off about the newer models, especially the more entry level ones like the "faded" series and the LPJ/SGJ. Some people manage to score gems, but the nice ones never seem to make it to the stores near me.
If it's new, I would utilize the warranty
Did you buy it new?
Finding a well-made USA Gibson these days is like finding a needle in a haystack, ESPECIALLY when it comes to the fretwork. That's the one thing that consistently turns me off about the newer models, especially the more entry level ones like the "faded" series and the LPJ/SGJ. Some people manage to score gems, but the nice ones never seem to make it to the stores near me.
If it's new, I would utilize the warranty
man-in-moon
New member
Re: NGD let down
I could live with getting the frets dressed. The fretboard being like that is what kills it. You wouldn't think it would be that noticeable. But it is.
I could live with getting the frets dressed. The fretboard being like that is what kills it. You wouldn't think it would be that noticeable. But it is.
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: NGD let down
Do you live in a dry climate? Run a woodstove? You might try keeping the guitar in its case and work at getting the relative humidity up around 50%. That can go a long way towards getting a too dry guitar to play better.
Bill
Do you live in a dry climate? Run a woodstove? You might try keeping the guitar in its case and work at getting the relative humidity up around 50%. That can go a long way towards getting a too dry guitar to play better.
Bill
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: NGD let down
Sorry to hear. Looks nice superficially. I consider the 'faded' series 'partially assembled'
Sorry to hear. Looks nice superficially. I consider the 'faded' series 'partially assembled'
Thundermtn
New member
Re: NGD let down
That's nuts! Hope they make it right.
That's nuts! Hope they make it right.
man-in-moon
New member
Re: NGD let down
It hasn't really been that dry here lately. The fretboard/neck looks like they shaved it down in that area by accident and just let it go. I know their QC has went down but someone looked at it saw the issue and just decided to take some of the length off the frets to make up for the mistake.
It hasn't really been that dry here lately. The fretboard/neck looks like they shaved it down in that area by accident and just let it go. I know their QC has went down but someone looked at it saw the issue and just decided to take some of the length off the frets to make up for the mistake.
MetalManiac
Li'l Junior Member
Re: NGD let down
If your stuck with it, don't lose faith. A good Luthier should be able to even out those tweaked frets where it should be much less of an issue.Best of luck.
If your stuck with it, don't lose faith. A good Luthier should be able to even out those tweaked frets where it should be much less of an issue.Best of luck.
Vasshu the humanoid typhoon
Unseen
Re: NGD let down
Get rid of it in a hurry...those are dogs!
Get rid of it in a hurry...those are dogs!
Wolfshead
Active member
Re: NGD let down
My first Gibson was a faded Les Paul and I never liked it. The frets were sharp and it killed the feel - my Epi Black Beauty was a much better guitar and I sold the Gibson pretty quick.
Shame their QC is so bad on those faded models - the pic of your fretboard is pretty horrendous.
My first Gibson was a faded Les Paul and I never liked it. The frets were sharp and it killed the feel - my Epi Black Beauty was a much better guitar and I sold the Gibson pretty quick.
Shame their QC is so bad on those faded models - the pic of your fretboard is pretty horrendous.
Masta' C
Well-known member
Re: NGD let down
Gibson is just a name. If it wasn't for great marketing extorting the deep pocketbooks and superficial pangs of "nostalgia" among guitarists, Gibson the company wouldn't be able to survive in today's marketplace.
That does look like particularly poor quality control. I know I wouldn't put up with it on my own guitar, especially if I was paying a premium for a USA instrument. Plus, if it doesn't feel right, you will probably stop playing it at some point or at least play it less.
I say sell it or take it back to where you bought it and get a different one...hope the Gibson employee who finished the second one was in a better mood that day
Gibson is just a name. If it wasn't for great marketing extorting the deep pocketbooks and superficial pangs of "nostalgia" among guitarists, Gibson the company wouldn't be able to survive in today's marketplace.
That does look like particularly poor quality control. I know I wouldn't put up with it on my own guitar, especially if I was paying a premium for a USA instrument. Plus, if it doesn't feel right, you will probably stop playing it at some point or at least play it less.
I say sell it or take it back to where you bought it and get a different one...hope the Gibson employee who finished the second one was in a better mood that day
man-in-moon
New member
Re: NGD let down
I'm sending it back Monday. Sweetwater sent me a return label today.
I'm sending it back Monday. Sweetwater sent me a return label today.
MkIII Renegade
New member
Re: NGD let down
I haven't bought a Gibson in many years, but I've heard enough online horror stories over the past 10 years to make sure I would only do it if I played said guitar in person first! They still want huge Gibson pricing for most models, but aren't holding up their end of the bargain...
I haven't bought a Gibson in many years, but I've heard enough online horror stories over the past 10 years to make sure I would only do it if I played said guitar in person first! They still want huge Gibson pricing for most models, but aren't holding up their end of the bargain...
Re: NGD let down
Me thinks that Gibson has apprentices practice by building the $799 - $1K stuff while day workers get picked up on the corner to build the 2017 M2 and other bottom of the line stuff.
Don't know about the Explorer fadeds but there are some pretty nice Tributes and other sub 1K Gibsons out there. The problem is weeding out the decent stuff from the hack jobs. Buy local if possible, or from one of the dealers with no hassle return policies. Keep expectations low and be fully prepared to return, I guess.
Sorry you got a dog.
Me thinks that Gibson has apprentices practice by building the $799 - $1K stuff while day workers get picked up on the corner to build the 2017 M2 and other bottom of the line stuff.
Don't know about the Explorer fadeds but there are some pretty nice Tributes and other sub 1K Gibsons out there. The problem is weeding out the decent stuff from the hack jobs. Buy local if possible, or from one of the dealers with no hassle return policies. Keep expectations low and be fully prepared to return, I guess.
Sorry you got a dog.
