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Old 03-01-2022, 05:07 PM
Yeah Yeah is offline
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Default Gibson j200. Is this a crack I should worry about??

I came across a very good deal on a 97 used gibson J-200. Not only it is a good deal, but I also loooved how it sounded, after trying several ones. The thing is it has a lot of repaired cracks, and currently an open one. I bought it but I am in a position of asking for it to get fixed or asking a full refund for it. The guitar shop says they can get it fixed, buy my doubt is whether this is a crack I should be worried about or an easy fix that will last.

I am not worried about cosmetics at all, just about the structural safety and durability of the guitar.



In these pictures you can se how the open crack goes about the en of the rosette and how a very thin piece of paper can slide through it. It is not yet visible from the inside of the guitar.

Last edited by Yeah; 03-01-2022 at 05:14 PM.
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Old 03-01-2022, 05:08 PM
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I will just share links to the images.






Last edited by Kerbie; 03-02-2022 at 03:21 AM.
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Old 03-02-2022, 02:37 AM
John Arnold John Arnold is offline
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Cracks are always less visible on the inside because the inside is unfinished. Also, seeing anything inside a guitar is more challenging.
The statement that cracks 'don't go all the way through' on a solid wood guitar are mostly lies, because it is nearly impossible for such thin, brittle wood to behave in such a way.
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Old 03-02-2022, 09:09 AM
phavriluk phavriluk is offline
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Is that crack at the center seam? Idea being, if that's the case it's not a crack in the wood, it's separation at the seam, and there was always a glued joint there, i'e., a crack.
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Old 03-02-2022, 09:25 AM
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Hi thanks a lot for the replies.

The crack does start at the center seam, but sort of "branches off" a bit to one side. It also looks like the center seam has been repaired previousliy, so maybe it is a bad repair that has just reopened.

With regards to the thickness of the crack, it really does not seem to go through (we tested it with the small piece of paper and also with light).

So far I took it back to the shop and they said it was an easy fix, that they would fix the guitar.

But now I face two options, I could keep the guitar fixed or ask for a full refund and look for another one.

I will see how it evolves, but if the fix is good I think I will try to keep it.

My only fear, as stated before, is that that one is a crack that will reopen soon and that the guitar will cause more and more problems. WHat do you guys think about it? Your oppinion is highly appreciated.
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Old 03-02-2022, 09:36 AM
phavriluk phavriluk is offline
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I'm commenting as a lay person, a consumer. Is the Argentine summer dry where this guitar was stored/sold? That would cause the seam failure to open up enough to be visible.





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Old 03-02-2022, 10:30 AM
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Thanks for the concern, Buenos Aires is usually super humid, but I live in New York now. Either way, the guitar was in the store when it developped the crack. I would assume HR are controlled in a store.
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Old 03-03-2022, 03:58 PM
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Boozehound Boozehound is offline
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Not all stores control humidity well.

To answer your question: That crack (once repaired) would not bother me so long as the guitar appears structurally sound otherwise, and the purchase price reflected the condition. Cracks significantly devalue a guitar so you'll want to make sure you are getting a good discount.
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Old 03-04-2022, 08:59 AM
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Thanks a lot Boozehound!

The store called me yesterday, and I will pick the guitar tomorrow. The guitar had other cracks and the price was substantially lower because of that, so I am OK with the deal in that regard. The only worry is the durability of the instrument, but it sounds sooo nice.

I will post pictures tomorrow once I pick it up. Is there any advice on what I should check to be certain the repair was good?
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Old 03-04-2022, 09:02 AM
phavriluk phavriluk is offline
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Maybe bring your lighted inspection mirror and have a look at the backsides of crack repairs?
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Old 03-07-2022, 08:34 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by phavriluk View Post
Maybe bring your lighted inspection mirror and have a look at the backsides of crack repairs?
This is good advice. In general I would like to see a cleat or two on a center seam separation (to OP: a cleat is a small piece of spruce glued over the crack on the inside of the guitar to keep it from separating again) however for a center seam separation as minor as the one in the photo many repair specialists would probably just glue it back together and it would very likely hold just fine as long as the guitar is kept properly humidified.

I've become very tolerant of cracks since I started getting into vintage guitars. At first they seem kind of intimidating, however once I started owning guitars with repaired cracks I have learned that a properly repaired crack kept properly humidified rarely presents a problem down the road.

OP - enjoy your new guitar. J200's are great instruments.
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Old 03-07-2022, 01:08 PM
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Hey, thanks a lot for all of the advices.

Update: I went to see the guitar repaired and wasn´t happy with the fix.
The crack wasn't cleated and to my inexperienced eye looked like was too close to a brace. I loved the guitar but I felt like I was not going to be able to enjoy it, having a visible crack tha would keep me paranoid all the time.

As much as I wanted to keep the guitar (beautiful sounding, reaaaaally smooth playing) I asked for a refund, which the store honoured without hassle.

I am very happy with the way the store behaved and confident I will find another I like this much soon.

In the meantime, I'll keep playing my other also beautiful guitars.

Thanks for the help!
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