Does this neck look twisted?

[PeteBluesRock]

I’m thinking of buying this 2015 Gibson ES-330. Two questions.

Does this neck look like it’s twisted?



Does this just look like finish checking or is there something wrong here?

 

[jb_abides]

Hard to tell from one pic alone, given optical distortion versus in-person sighting, but the fretboard certainly looks askew comparing the High-E to the Low-E side, when looking at the frets past the neck join toward the bridge. You can see an angle there. Harder to tell since the nut also looks lower comparing the High-E to the Low-E side, when referencing how it tracks agains the lower side of the body/binding. Certainly something to investigate further.

Finish cracks around the nut are not altogether unheard of, and can occur under several conditions. However, given the possibility of stress from the neck situation, another signal to look closer.

Also, what's the deal with the truss rod adjustment?

 

[LPR6]

Yes, it looks twisted.

 

[Grog]

I’ve had a 69’ EB-3 with a twisted neck & it’s played fine for years………..

 

[Bob Womack]

The problem with headstock and nut geometry relative to the body is that it doesn't give a good indication of fingerboard twist. I have an LP where the headstock is canted and it HAD a combowund bow in the neck. If I had reasonable relief on the bass side of the fingerboard the treble had a positive bulge at its center. My luthier pulled the frets, planed the neck, and refretted. The headstock still looks off to me, like yours, but the guitar has wonderful relief and plays great.

Bob

 

[Any Name You Wish]

Definitely looks twisted based on the photo, and the nut has been replaced. I would find another one.

 

[Wilko]

Neck twist may or may not matter to the playability.

Doesn't look twisted. That's just the nut shape, thicker for would strings.

Frets are straight:

 

[charliechitlins]

Yup...cover up the nut, then look at it.
Amazing how that makes the whole neck appear twisted.

 

[corpse]

I think the intonation is the tell- right? Or no?
But that but nut leaves me optically deluded.

 

[charliechitlins]

I have played guitars with twisted necks that played fine.
It's almost inexplicable.
I'd want to know for sure before buying, though.
Even if it played great, it could be a ticking bomb.

 

[Bob Womack]

The differential relief is the biggest tell from what I've heard. A tiny bit is ok, but any more and you will have to plane. Once it is planed, it is fine. My '74 that was planed in '96 has been stable ever since.

Bob