Brand new R7, headstock scratches normal?

[renderit]

Put on a damned clip on tuner and play the snot outta it!

It would bug me as well from what you describe, but I think all else being right with it either fix it or find someone who can. Sounds like a keeper to me...

 

[DutchRay]

That's why I made the thread. If everyone with a VOS LP had chipped in and said that their headstocks were intentionally scratched as well then I would breathe a sigh of relief.

The thing is, my headstock does look shiny and scratch-free apart from one small area at the top left and I think it's where one of those damned clip-on tuners has been clamped on. Why is the whole headstock not covered in these micro scratches if it's 'part of the look'?

I have decided to keep the guitar regardless because it plays very well and is lightweight. Those scratches do kind of annoy me though. I understood that VOS wasn't a relic finish.

It's not a relic finish, it's supposed to look like the guitar was played a few times and then stored in the case for years. Nitro has the tendency to dull somewhat when stored in a case and that's the look they went for (and it saves a step in final polish so the guitars could also be offered at slighty lower prices).
I own a mint condition '57 ES225T and it looks just like a current VOS finish, not completely polished to hi-gloss with some very light scratches on "hard to get to" spots which are only visible in certain angles.

If it's only in one spot, you can buff it out with a microfiber cloth and guitar polish. They probably just missed a spot when the guitar was buffed.

Have you ever seen a video of the Gibson CS production process? It's enlighting to see how much hand work each guitar is. Even with modern CNC techniques it's still mostly done by hand.

 

[Big Al]

That's why I made the thread. If everyone with a VOS LP had chipped in and said that their headstocks were intentionally scratched as well then I would breathe a sigh of relief.

The thing is, my headstock does look shiny and scratch-free apart from one small area at the top left and I think it's where one of those damned clip-on tuners has been clamped on. Why is the whole headstock not covered in these micro scratches if it's 'part of the look'?

I have decided to keep the guitar regardless because it plays very well and is lightweight. Those scratches do kind of annoy me though. I understood that VOS wasn't a relic finish.

That finish is thin and easily marked up. If I understand correctly you have some additional fine surface marks that bother you. You can easily buff/polish such marks away. Sanding with Micro Mesh will also work and you can rest easy until the next one shows up.

 

[Elliot Easton]

Why would you think that the rest of the guitar would show wear/patina and not the headstock veneer? It wouldn't match the rest of the guitar, unless I'm missing something.

 

[sunking101]

Why would you think that the rest of the guitar would show wear/patina and not the headstock veneer? It wouldn't match the rest of the guitar, unless I'm missing something.

Scratches. VOS is not a relic finish.

 

[El Gringo]

It's not a relic finish, it's supposed to look like the guitar was played a few times and then stored in the case for years. Nitro has the tendency to dull somewhat when stored in a case and that's the look they went for (and it saves a step in final polish so the guitars could also be offered at slighty lower prices).
I own a mint condition '57 ES225T and it looks just like a current VOS finish, not completely polished to hi-gloss with some very light scratches on "hard to get to" spots which are only visible in certain angles.

If it's only in one spot, you can buff it out with a microfiber cloth and guitar polish. They probably just missed a spot when the guitar was buffed.

Have you ever seen a video of the Gibson CS production process? It's enlighting to see how much hand work each guitar is. Even with modern CNC techniques it's still mostly done by hand.

VOS costs more than Gloss .

 

[Tommy Tourbus]

I hate VOS, but it hasn't stopped me from buying a guitar if it's exceptional. I do the same thing with every VOS I've gotten...I take all the parts off and buff it out with auto wax. I go over it twice, then once with regular guitar polish. This will give you pretty close to a regular gloss finish guitar. As others have said, don't go at it too hard, and avoid the front of the headstock so you don't rub off the 'les paul model' silkscreen

 

[El Gringo]

I hate VOS, but it hasn't stopped me from buying a guitar if it's exceptional. I do the same thing with every VOS I've gotten...I take all the parts off and buff it out with auto wax. I go over it twice, then once with regular guitar polish. As others have said, don't go at it too hard, and avoid the front of the headstock so you don't rub off the 'les paul model' silkscreen

Rub off the Les Paul Model on the headstock silkscreen , you most surely will rub off the entire piece of Holly right down to the mahogany head stock .The piece of holly on the headstock is paper thin . Be very careful .

 

[DutchRay]

VOS costs more than Gloss .

Rub off the Les Paul Model on the headstock silkscreen , you most surely will rub off the entire piece of Holly right down to the mahogany head stock .The piece of holly on the headstock is paper thin . Be very careful .

As a well-known member with 3691 posts, How are you posting this non sense?

When Gloss vs VOS was still offered there was a €300 upcharge for Gloss. Trust me, I sold dozens of them during my time at a large Gibson Custom dealer.

I agree the Les Paul silkscreen print is super fragile and rubs off easily. To rub the holly veneer off the headstock is impossible, you might rub off the black paint but not the piece of veneer (made from wood, called Holly). Sure with an orbital sander, but not with polish cloth.

 

[El Gringo]

As a well-known member with 3691 posts, How are you posting this non sense?

When Gloss vs VOS was still offered there was a €300 upcharge for Gloss. Trust me, I sold dozens of them during my time at a large Gibson Custom dealer.

I agree the Les Paul silkscreen print is super fragile and rubs off easily. To rub the holly veneer off the headstock is impossible, you might rub off the black paint but not the piece of veneer (made from wood, called Holly). Sure with an orbital sander, but not with polish cloth.

My error was that today there is no difference for a Gloss finish versus a VOS finish for a brand new Gibson Custom Les Paul sold thru an authorized and authentic Gibson Custom dealer . I stand corrected .

 

[J T]

Still no photos?

 

[sunking101]

Still no photos?

I have an LP with flame, and a figured 335 but I cannot for the life of me get these tops to 'pop' in a smartphone photo. In much the same way I cannot get the scratches on my headstock to show in a photo either....

 

[sunking101]

Just to reiterate, I have never once touched the headstock. I haven't put a fingerprint on it or polished it. Every single smudge, mark and scratch was there when I got it.

 

[DutchRay]

I have an LP with flame, and a figured 335 but I cannot for the life of me get these tops to 'pop' in a smartphone photo. In much the same way I cannot get the scratches on my headstock to show in a photo either....

Yeah, this is considered normal for VOS finish. If you touch it with warm hands it probably feels a little sticky as well. Next time you change strings just carefully gloss it up with a microfiber cloth.

 

[Tommy Tourbus]

Rub off the Les Paul Model on the headstock silkscreen , you most surely will rub off the entire piece of Holly right down to the mahogany head stock .The piece of holly on the headstock is paper thin . Be very careful .

What??? Dude, no you won't LOL. Nothing short of sanding through it with a sander, or sandpaper and A LOT of elbow grease will "rub off" the holly veneer. 1 or 2 passes of buffing it by hand with auto wax and a cloth won't even remove the clear coat. It won't even buff out anything deeper than light scuff or swirl marks.

Honestly, it really won't even remove the silkscreen. Before I learned that the silkscreens were on top of the clear coat, I buffed out the headstocks of 2 VOS Historic Les Pauls, and the silkscreens were fine. Had I realized then that the silkscreens were on top of the clear coat and not under it I wouldn't have done it, and I've avoided doing that since. But it didn't hurt them

 

[Big Al]

It ain't no thang. Quit nit pic'n the thing already! Polish it if it bugs you. Come on, it's time to put your big boy pants on.

 

[ourmaninthenorth]

 

[El Gringo]

What??? Dude, no you won't LOL. Nothing short of sanding through it with a sander, or sandpaper and A LOT of elbow grease will "rub off" the holly veneer. 1 or 2 passes of buffing it by hand with auto wax and a cloth won't even remove the clear coat. It won't even buff out anything deeper than light scuff or swirl marks.

Honestly, it really won't even remove the silkscreen. Before I learned that the silkscreens were on top of the clear coat, I buffed out the headstocks of 2 VOS Historic Les Pauls, and the silkscreens were fine. Had I realized then that the silkscreens were on top of the clear coat and not under it I wouldn't have done it, and I've avoided doing that since. But it didn't hurt them

ok, don't say I haven't warned everybody . The Holly is paper thin .

 

[Musicman]

Leave it and start enjoying your guitar!