LP Classic ... strange marking in neck pup rout

Tom Wittrock · Oct 11, 2014

I opened up this 96 LP Classic looking for the markings indicating it was a Plus model.

Bridge pup rout:

When I removed the neck pickup, I found this! :wah

The neck looks perfect, except one side of the nut:

I believe the markings are from the factory.
Has anyone seen this before?
Ideas? :hmm

Tom Wittrock · Oct 12, 2014

Come on guys, I know it's the weekend, but someone must have an informed opinion on this. :hmm

DonRowe · Oct 12, 2014

HS (Headstock) repair with something scribbled .. perhaps if it is factory it might have been a finish(quality control) repair ? At least it doesn't say "27 bunnies and a free goat" then the mystery would be unsolvable LOL

krapac · Oct 12, 2014

I have had for a brief period a '96 Classic with the same kind of slotted nut dig, mine was deeper (on both sides) than your, i tought was a glitch and sold the guitar.
Regardin' the script inside PU cavity, i can't help.

Mike Shaw · Oct 12, 2014

What's the last word? Looks like it says HS repair on heel. Apparently, whatever it was , it was fixed.

Tom Wittrock · Oct 12, 2014

Mike Shaw said:
What's the last word? Looks like it says HS repair on heel. Apparently, whatever it was , it was fixed.

I am positive that last word is "neck".

Mike Shaw · Oct 12, 2014

Hmmm, now that you mention it ....

Badoogie · Oct 13, 2014

Perhaps 'HS' is someone's initials. It seems unnecessary to say it is a 'headstock repair on neck', as the headstock is always on the neck.

donw35 · Oct 13, 2014

did you buy this guitar new ?, looks like the pin markings are untop of the finish...

Tom Wittrock · Oct 13, 2014

donw35 said:
did you buy this guitar new ?, looks like the pin markings are untop of the finish...

No, I didn't. I've had it a few months and decided to look for the Plus markings when I found the other writing.

donw35 · Oct 13, 2014

Seems like a very strange thing for Gibson to put on a guitar, maybe it was repaired by someone who wanted to make it known for future buyers, the picture of the neck close to the nut you can see the red finish on the binding and nut, I haven't seen that before but never look that close either.

Tom Wittrock · Oct 14, 2014

donw35 said:
Seems like a very strange thing for Gibson to put on a guitar, maybe it was repaired by someone who wanted to make it known for future buyers, the picture of the neck close to the nut you can see the red finish on the binding and nut, I haven't seen that before but never look that close either.

I have a 98 Classic that has the exact same "over the binding" cherry finish. This 96 and that 98 have it on both sides.

I spoke to Gibson Customer Service, and they said the HS was code for the heritage cherry sunburst color.
They had no notes written about repair for this particular serial number. Just that it was a Plus model in that heritage sunburst.
They also asked me to send them photos of the markings. I did and will let everyone know what they report back.

donw35 · Oct 14, 2014

Thats cool they show interest in figuring it out..

rifle · Oct 14, 2014

TW59 said:
I spoke to Gibson Customer Service, and they said the HS was code for the heritage cherry sunburst color.

I mine -97 Classic PP in Heritage Cherry, it is written HS in the neck pickup route.

Tom Wittrock · Oct 16, 2014

Gibson Customer Service came through!
Let's look at it again:

The scratched out area says TA for "trans amber". There was some type of finish or cosmetic flaw, and it was stripped and resprayed in heritage cherry sunburst.
Apparently the repair info was written on the neck [and removed when the guitar was refinished].
There was no structural problem or repair on the neck, nor was it replaced. It was merely refinished before it was fitted with hardware.

LP Classic ... strange marking in neck pup rout

Tom Wittrock

Les Paul Forum Co-Owner

Tom Wittrock

Les Paul Forum Co-Owner

DonRowe

Member

krapac

Member

Mike Shaw

Active member

Tom Wittrock

Les Paul Forum Co-Owner

Mike Shaw

Active member

Badoogie

New member

donw35

New member

Tom Wittrock

Les Paul Forum Co-Owner

donw35

New member

Tom Wittrock

Les Paul Forum Co-Owner

donw35

New member

rifle

Member

Tom Wittrock

Les Paul Forum Co-Owner