Gibsonitis?

[crunchee]

I'm curious, as I see this a lot on older '90's Les Paul Studios, and possibly on other LP models; and in a way, it's kinda like 'Hameritis'...the clear coat lifts on the front of the headstock in a weird, specific pattern, like a 'woodgrain' pattern...and for all I know, maybe it IS the woodgrain pattern of the mahogany headstock under the finish.  This seems to happen on LP Studios with the 'fiber' headstock facing, but I think I've also seen this happen on the finish on the back of the headstock, too; and again, possibly on other model LPs.  It seems to be fairly common (just browse at the LP Studios listed on Reverb or Ebay), and it doesn't affect playability, but it sure is ugly.  I'm guessing that this happens much like weatherchecking does on a nitro finish, when a guitar is brought in from a very cold environment to a warm one.  My questions:  Is this what causes this, or is it from something else completely different (like a problem with the finishing process at the plant?), or does it just happen spontaneously?  And what can be done to 'fix' this 'Gibsonitis' without removing the original logos from the front of the headstock, if that's possible?  None of my LP Studios have this, and knock-on-wood, hopefully they won't ever get it!  TIA! 

[Armitage]

I've never seen it... I'll check mime.

[crunchee]

1 hour ago, Armitage said:

I've never seen it... I'll check mime.

I'm pretty sure you'd notice if if your guitars had it.  It looks a lot like the finish on this J-200 headstock, and notice that it's not like typical weatherchecking, because there's finish separation involved, too.  The ones I've seen on LP Studios are often even worse in the finish separation/delamination department, I'm still looking for a photo of a typical example:

http://forum.gibson.com/index.php?/topic/66553-finish-checking-headstock-only/

[murkat]

3 hours ago, crunchee said:

This seems to happen on LP Studios with the 'fiber' headstock facing,

and there it is, your answer.

Gibson has used different types, blends, etc. of Lacquer.

and most Lacquers do not shrink well with the fiber facing.

and it is mostly the plant issue.

GCS uses holly wood veneers on there headstock lams.

Custom LPC's and headstock likes of are known to happen as well.

Some do, some do not.

[crunchee]

Many thanks for the answer, Jay!  As far as a 'cure' goes, I'm guessing that there isn't any other route to go, other than strip the finish, replace the logos, and refinish?

[murkat]

you are correct.

[bubs_42]

I have been looking for a LP SPecial and a bunch from that area the faces of the head stock look horrible. 

[JimHalinda]

I was the original owner of a '96 Jimmy Page signature LP, and it had that exact issue. There was no weather checking on the rest of the guitar, but the headstock looked just like that picture above

 

Edited to add: it lived a pretty mild life mostly in my basement, and in its case. Didn't play out much with it, hence no weather checking.

[Armitage]

On 4/20/2017 at 3:37 PM, crunchee said:

I'm pretty sure you'd notice if if your guitars had it.  It looks a lot like the finish on this J-200 headstock, and notice that it's not like typical weatherchecking, because there's finish separation involved, too.  The ones I've seen on LP Studios are often even worse in the finish separation/delamination department, I'm still looking for a photo of a typical example:

http://forum.gibson.com/index.php?/topic/66553-finish-checking-headstock-only/

Wow, that's horrible! Heart breaking for sure.