Gibson J-100 finish problems

[f whole]

i've just received a 2002 Gibson J-100 Xtra that has finish cracks at several places where the top and back meet the binding. it seems like the finish is separating at these places. in one of them there is a small gap (paper thickness) where the binding and back meet. two on the back are at the waist at the spot where a back brace is. should i fix these ? can they be spot refinished ? is it something that needs to be filled/refinished to stop the spread of cracks and/or dirt etc. from getting into the wood ? is this the guitar flexing with the temperature/humidity changes through the years? any experience out there with this problem with j-100's ?

 

thanks,

 

scott

[da mayor]

Scott: I also have a 2002 J-100xtra. No problems with finish cracking. Other than the usual player inflicted scratches and dings, the finish is perfect. So, from my very limited experience, I would say this is probably not something endemic to this particular guitar.

 

Gibson's are well known for finish cracking, but that's something that usually happens over an extended period of time. A four year old guitar shouldn't be doing that, imo. This may be cracking related to poor humidity control. Any other problems with the guitar (i.e., poor intonation, frets sticking out past the fretboard due to shrinkage, that kind of stuff)?

 

Also, if the guitar was shipped while temperatures were cold, then brought inside and unpacked without giving the guitar time to aclimatize, that might do it too.

 

I know next to nothing about refinishing a guitar. The gibson finish is nitro celluose, and my guess is that you wouldn't want to be trying to repair that yourself. At least, that's not something I would have the courage to take on myself.

 

If it were mine, I would take it to a good luthier to see if he can tell what's going on. Don't want to unnecessarily concern you, but cracking and seperation at the binding sounds like it needs a bit more of a professional look than what you'll get on a forum. Unless, one of the resident luthiers here has some idea. Maybe if you can post some pics.

 

I know it's not much, but hope that helps some.

[guitarcapo]

I think it's common in Gibson Jumbos after a few years. You get that crackle around the binding...Mostly because the guitars are so huge that they are apt to expand more. The finish is nitro.