Epiphone nighthawk crack in fretboard?!?!?!

Wilikers

So I just picked up a blemished epiphone. Nighthawk from zzounds and upon initial inspection I discovered this big old crack goin down the fretboard and the binding is slightly separating from the fretboard In some spots as we'll. I was wondering if judging from these pics can anyone tell if i should take advantage of the 30 day money back guarantee or if this is purely cosmetic damage and isn't gonna affect the intonation and what not.

the crack starts at 12th fret and goes to the end of the fretboard

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that's the 5 th fret

AlanRatcliffe

That's a bit more than a "blemish" in my book and will need repair (even if it's not bad now, you want to avoid the possibility of it getting worse). While it may only be a simple crack (easily fixed), there could also be fret involvement. However if the binding damage is in the same area, it doesn't bode well...

I'd say, if it's a one-off and you really want it, take it to a luthier for a quote and see if it's worth it. Otherwise return for credit if you have that option. If there's a chance of swapping it for a cosmetic blem example, you could also do that.

studmissile

Can you post some of the "binding separation" too?

Wilikers

I just posted it but it's kind of hard to see

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MoJo-JoJoe

I think the binding is the only blem. Clearly not the same space as the "crack". The pics are a bit too fuzzy to tell for sure, but I doubt the crack is any more than natural tubes being exposed. I don't see the inlay being affected. Good rosewood does that crack thing. Brazzy is known as crackwood for both meanings of that word. Yes it's addictive.

Norman86

Can you try taking photo's that are further away?
That'll help to see what's going on ?

studmissile

Norman86 wrote: Can you try taking photo's that are further away?
That'll help to see what's going on ?

and outside in the sun with a iphone.

Wilikers

MoJo JoJoe wrote: I think the binding is the only blem. Clearly not the same space as the "crack". The pics are a bit too fuzzy to tell for sure, but I doubt the crack is any more than natural tubes being exposed. I don't see the inlay being affected. Good rosewood does that crack thing. Brazzy is known as crackwood for both meanings of that word. Yes it's addictive.

the crack goes right through the inlays actually, I'll post more pics when the sun comes out so I can get some good ones.

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lapdawg

I'm no repair expert, but I can't see this being to difficult fix. The crack can be glued & repaired, the binding can be re-attached & any fret movement can be leveled. But...
It appears that the crack is central i.e over the truss rod. It may be that there's a problem underneath the board. i.e. a crack beneath the fingerboard or something moving when the truss is adjusted. Did you adjust the truss rod? Does adjusting the truss affect the crack? Be sure its no over tightened.

Wilikers

lapdawg wrote: I'm no repair expert, but I can't see this being to difficult fix. The crack can be glued & repaired, the binding can be re-attached & any fret movement can be leveled. But...
It appears that the crack is central i.e over the truss rod. It may be that there's a problem underneath the board. i.e. a crack beneath the fingerboard or something moving when the truss is adjusted. Did you adjust the truss rod? Does adjusting the truss affect the crack? Be sure its no over tightened.

nope I got it like this out of this box, I'm going to take it to a luthier this week to get it a professional diagnosis

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Wilikers

Just took it in today and he said the crack is most likely no big deal and some oil should fix her right up ,so false alarm thank the gods

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Norman86

Where are you based, and which luthier did you take it to?

Wilikers

Norman86 wrote: Where are you based, and which luthier did you take it to?

I took it to 13th street guitars in hunington beach Ca

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