So I took the pickguard off my Les Paul Jr DC... look at this garbage

Powdered Toast Man

Powdered Toast Man

New member
I bought this guitar brand new back in 2011 from a Gibson retailer. This is a Gibson USA made LP Jr Double Cut. I took the pickguard off tonight because I needed to trace it because I'm getting another guard made. Look at the surprise I found underneath. It's not a filled pickup route. It goes all the way to the edge of the finger board. I can't believe this garbage. I don't even know what to say. This is Gibson USA quality folks.

This on top of what I had to do to make this guitar playable, I will never buy another Gibson as long as I live.

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Re: So I took the pickguard off my Les Paul Jr DC... look at this garbage

Is it possible that the retailer was selling a factory second without disclosing it?
 
Re: So I took the pickguard off my Les Paul Jr DC... look at this garbage

Neck joint. Sloppy workmanship.
 
Re: So I took the pickguard off my Les Paul Jr DC... look at this garbage

That recess is there for the neck angle. Know your shut before you start to complain.

I do agree that the tenon could be cleaner.
 
Re: So I took the pickguard off my Les Paul Jr DC... look at this garbage

orpheo said:
That recess is there for the neck angle. Know your shut before you start to complain.

I do agree that the tenon could be cleaner.
Click to expand...

Oh, so it's ok that there's sloppy unfilled gaps in the wood? Good to know. Thanks for updating me on Gibson craftsmanship techniques.
 
Re: So I took the pickguard off my Les Paul Jr DC... look at this garbage

I've found many instruments that weren't so refined behind pickguards and places you wouldn't often expect the average player to look. If you think about it, why does the Jr pickguard run up and over the tenon in the first place?
 
Re: So I took the pickguard off my Les Paul Jr DC... look at this garbage

Gibson has really been lacking in recent years. Sad to see such garbo from a such a historic and respected brand. It's hard to believe how quality plummets and the price goes up the ass.
 
Re: So I took the pickguard off my Les Paul Jr DC... look at this garbage

I have said it before but all the top quality guitars look good in the areas that aren't seen. That was something i saw them mention on the hamer workshop video and it rings true in almost every situation.
 
Re: So I took the pickguard off my Les Paul Jr DC... look at this garbage

Powdered Toast Man said:
Oh, so it's ok that there's sloppy unfilled gaps in the wood? Good to know. Thanks for updating me on Gibson craftsmanship techniques.
Click to expand...

That's not what I said. Read my comment again and get back to me.

About warranty: unlikely unless the neck is whobbly.

Have you seen how fender often drills holes in the neck pocket and under the pickguard, as locating pins for the CNC? That method isn't necessary perse, it's cheaper and easier. But does that make the guitar less playable? Sound worse? Nah.
 
Re: So I took the pickguard off my Les Paul Jr DC... look at this garbage

orpheo said:
That's not what I said. Read my comment again and get back to me.

About warranty: unlikely unless the neck is whobbly.

Have you seen how fender often drills holes in the neck pocket and under the pickguard, as locating pins for the CNC? That method isn't necessary perse, it's cheaper and easier. But does that make the guitar less playable? Sound worse? Nah.
Click to expand...

Other than the hole on the neck pocket (possibly for hanging the guitar while being painted), this is not my experience with Fender MIM.
 
Re: So I took the pickguard off my Les Paul Jr DC... look at this garbage

Its perfectly normal for the gap to be there. In fact for any knowledgeable person the gap is essential......why?? Because you need a small squeezout space for the glue. Any luthier knows enough to leave this space as you want to apply slightly more than enough glue to the wood to get a good coverage as grain is variable. There is no compromise to the neck join at all.
And the whole reason for the pickguard is to cover a join that you will never ever manage to avoid sinkage on - smart one Gibson.

Look at a long tenon join in the neck pickup rout. Might start to inform you.

Of course we see very quickly in this thread those with knowledge and those who are simply good at whinging.
 
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Re: So I took the pickguard off my Les Paul Jr DC... look at this garbage

This thread wasn't about the functionality of it. It was about the bogus appearance and how they could've covered it up.
 
Re: So I took the pickguard off my Les Paul Jr DC... look at this garbage

They did cover it up.....the way it has been done since the 50's with the pickguard.

Try doing a search for vintage Jr's - you'll see a wide variety of gaps from huge to very small. The whole function of the pickguard going to the neck is to cover the gap.
 
Re: So I took the pickguard off my Les Paul Jr DC... look at this garbage

No different really than an expansion joint on a concrete driveway.
 
Re: So I took the pickguard off my Les Paul Jr DC... look at this garbage

Given how 'historic' guitars were made in the 50's and 60's, I'm impressed the reissues paint so evenly under the pickguard.
 
Re: So I took the pickguard off my Les Paul Jr DC... look at this garbage

"Now with 50s accurate neck tenon expansion gap" :)


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