Early 2000s Historic VOS Goldtop Cracking

[G650]

Was curious if anyone has in idea why the VOS Goldtops from the early aughts cracks lengthwise instead of across the guitar like the originals? I've seen multiple instances of this including my own 02 R7. I can't figure if it's wood grain underneath, paint itself or what.

 

[Les Paulette]

I can't figure it out either..maybe you could post a pic?..my powers of telepathy are a bit rusty..*wink

 

[G650]

I can't figure it out either..maybe you could post a pic?..my powers of telepathy are a bit rusty..*wink

Hehe, certainly.

It's pretty common in these guitars for whatever reason.

 

[gmann]

I had an R4 that did that, great guitar tho.

 

[G650]

I had an R4 that did that, great guitar tho.

Yeah I've seen at least a dozen from that era that did. And I'm not upset or anything, I think it's interesting actually they are cracking that direction.

Certainly great guitars, maybe my favorite generation Les Paul I've owned. This has been my #1 stage guitar since the day it was bought.

 

[thin sissy]

I think VOS was introduced later, like 2006 or 2005?

I don't know anything about your question though, sorry. I'm keeping an eye on it, hopefully someone knows

 

[G650]

I think VOS was introduced later, like 2006 or 2005?

I don't know anything about your question though, sorry. I'm keeping an eye on it, hopefully someone knows

No the Goldtop VOS came in 2002 at the latest. I can't remember the exact label my R7 had, I want to say it was a Custom Shop Historic maybe? I have the tags somewhere still.

Edit: Yeah Custom Shop Historic is the name, here is one on Reverb right now.

Gibson Custom Shop Historic Collection '57 Les Paul Goldtop 1993 - 2002 | Reverb

The Gibson Custom Shop Historic '57 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue was one of the first models produced by the Historic division in 1993. It features a mahogany body with maple top, rosewood fretboard, and 57 Classic humbuckers. Available in Antique Gold. Updated in 2003 to include Gibson's Burstbu...

reverb.com

 

[J T]

You'll that north to south checking is on the gold top finish. This came up a few times here and the are thread(s) here that discussed it a while back. Hmm, I'll see if I can find them.

Edit:
Big Al said this back in 2016 and he knows his stuff

"I believe the metallic flakes mixed into the lacquer finish are at fault. Wood, metal and finish all react to temperature changes differently an seem to be more pronounced with the vintage correct brass suspension in the color coat of the finish." -Big Al

 

[Pat Boyack]

My 1997 Historic '56 did the same thing but it was because a baggage cart at Charles Degulle airport ran over it.

 

[G650]

My 1997 Historic '56 did the same thing but it was because a baggage cart at Charles Degulle airport ran over it.

 

[J.D.]

VOS option was introduced in 2006

 

[pdfiddler]

I owned a 1968 Kustom K-200 4string bass that the finish cracked that way.

 

[HDA71]

VOS option was introduced in 2006

In 2002 VOS was called 'Custom Authentic'.

 

[thin sissy]

No the Goldtop VOS came in 2002 at the latest. I can't remember the exact label my R7 had, I want to say it was a Custom Shop Historic maybe? I have the tags somewhere still.

Edit: Yeah Custom Shop Historic is the name, here is one on Reverb right now.

Gibson Custom Shop Historic Collection '57 Les Paul Goldtop 1993 - 2002 | Reverb

The Gibson Custom Shop Historic '57 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue was one of the first models produced by the Historic division in 1993. It features a mahogany body with maple top, rosewood fretboard, and 57 Classic humbuckers. Available in Antique Gold. Updated in 2003 to include Gibson's Burstbu...

reverb.com

I think that seller might just be mistaken. VOS was just a finish option as compared to "Gloss". There was a promo video released when VOS was introduced, and I watched it on youtube when it came out. So that's why I felt 2002 was too early. No biggie though

BTW, my original '55 has mostly cracks across (like you said regarding the originals), but it also has lengthwise cracking. Especially on the lower bout. Don't know why, but it looks cool. Your GT may be on its way to something similar?

 

[G650]

I think that seller might just be mistaken. VOS was just a finish option as compared to "Gloss". There was a promo video released when VOS was introduced, and I watched it on youtube when it came out. So that's why I felt 2002 was too early. No biggie though

BTW, my original '55 has mostly cracks across (like you said regarding the originals), but it also has lengthwise cracking. Especially on the lower bout. Don't know why, but it looks cool. Your GT may be on its way to something similar?

Yeah I actually am trying to remember what it was. I bought the guitar way back then. The previous poster mentioned the Custom Authentic, but that is just the previous name for VOS, which I do remember and that was not it. In 2001 or 2002 Gibson reintroduced the original copper goldtop paint, it was previously unavailable except as a custom order, and sometimes not then. I spoke with them at length about it when it came out, whatever they called that is what I am talking about, I've lost track after 20 years.

Nice, yeah I dig it, was just curious. The more I looked into it, it seems maybe there is a difference between the gold cracking and the top coat cracking in terms of direction! I haven't gotten any lateral cracks yet, but tbd!

 

[thin sissy]

Yeah I actually am trying to remember what it was. I bought the guitar way back then. The previous poster mentioned the Custom Authentic, but that is just the previous name for VOS, which I do remember and that was not it. In 2001 or 2002 Gibson reintroduced the original copper goldtop paint, it was previously unavailable except as a custom order, and sometimes not then. I spoke with them at length about it when it came out, whatever they called that is what I am talking about, I've lost track after 20 years.

Nice, yeah I dig it, was just curious. The more I looked into it, it seems maybe there is a difference between the gold cracking and the top coat cracking in terms of direction! I haven't gotten any lateral cracks yet, but tbd!

Goldtops are so awesome, it's a mystery to me what they used during the decades. Bronze powder vs copper powder for example, when did they use what? Sweet guitar anyways, man!