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Does a new 2021 R9 smell of Nitro?

Mitchell Le

New member
Joined
Dec 21, 2020
Messages
11
So I just bought a 2021 R9 in dirty lemon straight from Gibson on line. It came yesterday and ... what a let down. I paid $6,800 and what I got was not worth that.

1. The dirty lemon finish is barely flamed, fitting for a $2000 guitar but not for one 3x that.
2. The tail piece is corroded.
3. The two large flat screws on the tail piece are rusted. The pickguard hardware was also rusted.
4. The various small screws on the guitar are rusted,
5. The toggle switch needed to be levered a few times to get it to work
6. The body of the guitar has a lot of cleaning streaks, as if someone sprayed something on the guitar and tried to wipe it down with a dirty rag.
7. The finger board has signs of dirt along all the frets
8. There was no truss rod adjustment tool or swiss army knife tools. Perhaps the R9s don't come with them?
9. The neck has wear marks at the point where you expect a guitar that's been hung someplace for a long time
10. Last, there was no strong vanilla smell of the nitro cellulose finish. It is why I bought a brand new guitar.

Does a brand new R9 have a different finish that does not smell of vanilla? As for the rest, don't they have any pride of workmanship? It costs $7,000 for god's sake. I have a 30 years old R9 that is in better condition.

This one is going back.
 

Mitchell Le

New member
Joined
Dec 21, 2020
Messages
11
Well, I knowingly did not buy a Murphy-Lab aged model because I did not want to suffer the finish-flaking-off issue. So I bought a merely mortal R9 for $6800. And to be honest, I prefer the razor-blade aging approach. I thought that was more like a painting then freezing and thawing out the guitar to induce checking.

And I really bought a new guitar for the smell of the nitro finish. I was gonna keep it in its case for 2 years and sniff it once in a while.

Nope, they sent me a guitar that sits on a hook for a year because nobody wanted the AA top, and just wiped it down before sending it.
 

Gino753

Active member
Joined
Jan 26, 2018
Messages
187
My 2018 R0 and 2019 R9, as well as 2016 Custom Shop Historic SG Standard, all smell like Baby wipes, the SG does have more of a Vanilla smell though, but not as “Vanillarish” as my 2016 Gibson USA Les paul Standard though
 

somebodyelseuk

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 10, 2020
Messages
454
Hmmm?
I bought mine for what they sound like, not what they smell like, but whatever floats yer boat.
As for the rest of it, yep, I'd send it back if a new one arrived in that state. Mine were pristine/VOSed - they don't look brand new, but they don't look like someone dug the garden with them either.
FWIW, they do still smell... distinctive. I would say, artificially old.
 

corpse

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 9, 2007
Messages
4,876
That ($6800) is top dollar- send it back if you are not out-of-your-tree happy.
My R9 from CME was VOS IIRC and has some corrosion on the parts you mentioned. Sounds like there was miscommunication about which model it was.
Hanger marks are something different. That's not part of the deal- any deal. You could get a better price, and full on revealing set of photos (pre-deal) from any one of the LPF vendors. CME & WW will damn near drive it to your door. You need to get photos before money changes hands.
Period.
 

axeman565758

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 23, 2007
Messages
1,204
first of all, all the Historics/R's are nitro finished so they should all have the "nitro smell" to some degree. Some stronger than others.
As for the hardware, lack of flame and that you're unsatisfied overall ( I sure would be for that price, no matter how good it was...), then send it back. Hopefully there is a return policy in effect.
Truss rod tools haven't been included since somewhere around 2006-2007 (maybe stopped before that.. I forget). Ironically I have 6 or 7 floating around my house.
Just getting back to the flame top. These sellers always take photos in unnatural lighting/settings or place them at certain angles that show the flame better. Very few guitars have flame that pops at every angle, including originals.
It seems like you got a "floor" model or one that Gibson used as a demo. If so that should've been disclosed.
Bottom line, there is way too much you don't like about the guitar. I'd send it back. Buy from a local retailer or from one who can send you numerous photos and has a good return policy
 

Mitchell Le

New member
Joined
Dec 21, 2020
Messages
11
I waited 2 days for the email from Service which never came, so I called them on the phone. The guitar is going back. I think I will try to find a dealer that will send me pictures and testify to its scent. The service person said that the manufacture date was 10/29/2021 as was indicated on the Inspection By xxx. tag. But, that is just a piece of paper. The rusted hardware and lack of nitro indicate something different. The picture of the Gibsons on line are all "best in class" and not of the actual inventory guitars so one never knows what one is going to get... The dirty lemon on line is lot less dirty than the one I got.

I have several older R7/R8/R9 and a Traditional and a Classic. The last two kept their nitro scent for over a year hanging on my wall so I have those sample data points.

So, this one is going back for a full refund. I should look for a dealer ... that will drive it to my door.
 

Sol

Active member
Joined
Oct 26, 2001
Messages
775
The aroma upon opening the case of my 1992 Les Paul was always a treat. I couldn't describe it now but its was gorgeous and as a new guitar it greeted me everytime I opened the case, and Id stand there like a maniac sniffing the intoxicating aroma.
Its 30 yrs old now and smells of of a hundred tobacco hazed venues.. Oh well..

The thing is, Ive spray finished many guitars with nitrocellulose laquer, and none of them have 'that smell'.. Once fully cured, opening the case after several months of the guitar in the case, I occasionally get a faint hint of thinners.
This is due to the fact that the curing process continues for quite some time after construction , albeit at a glacialy slow pace. (in fact the process never truly stops, the laquer getting thinner and harder over the decades ).

I dont know where that Gibson aroma comes from and Id love to hear from those that do, cause it aint coming from the clear laquer, imho etc..
 
Last edited:

El Gringo

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 8, 2015
Messages
5,657
first of all, all the Historics/R's are nitro finished so they should all have the "nitro smell" to some degree. Some stronger than others.
As for the hardware, lack of flame and that you're unsatisfied overall ( I sure would be for that price, no matter how good it was...), then send it back. Hopefully there is a return policy in effect.
Truss rod tools haven't been included since somewhere around 2006-2007 (maybe stopped before that.. I forget). Ironically I have 6 or 7 floating around my house.
Just getting back to the flame top. These sellers always take photos in unnatural lighting/settings or place them at certain angles that show the flame better. Very few guitars have flame that pops at every angle, including originals.
It seems like you got a "floor" model or one that Gibson used as a demo. If so that should've been disclosed.
Bottom line, there is way too much you don't like about the guitar. I'd send it back. Buy from a local retailer or from one who can send you numerous photos and has a good return policy
+1 , and Forum sponsors have a lot more skin in the game as it matters for there bottom line . Send it back post haste !
 

Mitchell Le

New member
Joined
Dec 21, 2020
Messages
11
OK so if there are any dealers reading this, please PM me. Willing able and ready to pay for beautiful brand new R9.
 

mdubya

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Mar 31, 2010
Messages
1,020
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Thunder Dump

Active member
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
293
2-4 and 6 are part of a VOS finish, which is what I assume you purchased.
8 hasn't been included for a long time
10 is only for Gibson USA guitars as the vanilla smell is in the case and not the guitar. Custom Shop guitars usually have more of a nitro smell.
 

guitarbob123

Active member
Joined
Jan 2, 2009
Messages
214
Sounds like you should be looking for a gloss R9, not a VOS model if you don't like any of the rusted/corroded parts and the streaks in the finish.

Also, I would imagine you'll shorten the process by reaching out to dealers than standing with a wad of cash and telling people to come to you.
You'll get even better results if you go to one in person so you can find what you're looking for, rather than being disappointed a second time over.

Just my two cents...
 

Joshabr1

Active member
Joined
Apr 25, 2021
Messages
102
Me and you buy guitars for 2 vastly different reasons. You bought a VOS finish guitar. If you want a shiny one you need a NOS guitar. It will still smell like nitro though. Because They all do.
 
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