Cracks on my Jem 7 VWH

Big Hary · #1 03-20-2008, 01:48 PM

Hello Guys,
Unfortunately,my first post here is not so lucky for me .
So,after half year of playing this amazing guitar,I realize there are two cracks ,on the guitar body,on the places where neck is conected with body ,back side of guitar.(see the photos please,my English isn't the best tools for explaining this ).
I don't know when the cracks could be generated,but I know guitar did not fail down from my hands.Yes,guitar was couple of times at local guitar store for set up,but I don't beleive such a cracks can be from failing on the ground or so.
Any similar (bad ) experience or advice what to do will be very appreciated.

All the best ,
Big Hary

Algiman · #2 03-20-2008, 02:10 PM

Usually these are just Neck Joint Finish Cracks - Common problem with Ibanez finishes, search NJFC.

It is just the paint, so no need to worry. That said, take a look at the photos of Evo!

jb4674 · #3 03-20-2008, 02:13 PM

Big Hary,

Don't despair. Those cracks you speak of are known as Neck Joint Finish Cracks or NJFC's. Those cracks are not in the wood, as they might appear to be but only within the finish of the guitar. Sometimes those cracks develop due to excess torquing of the neck screws when they're bolted down to the body or they develop over time due to the wood contracting.

At any rate, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Although it may look like the guitar is damaged, it really isn't.

Jimmy

Rich · #4 03-20-2008, 02:15 PM

Anybody care to claim EVO's NJFC's are just the paint?

It's the wood, it's just called a "finish" crack because that's the phrase that stuck.

losgatosrg350dx · #5 03-20-2008, 02:25 PM

dont fret about it its jus the paint, if there was a reall crack, the string tension would ripp off the heel

jb4674 · #6 03-20-2008, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich

Anybody care to claim EVO's NJFC's are just the paint?

It's the wood, it's just called a "finish" crack because that's the phrase that stuck.

Well, the term should be renamed to simply a Joint Crack. I hope I wasn't misinforming people Rich.

Jimmy

Rich · #7 03-20-2008, 02:33 PM

That would be like trying to turn a super tanker around in a stream

Algiman · #8 03-20-2008, 02:58 PM

To clarify, I mentioned Evo as an example of cracks that are worth worrying about (steady elcid, not that kind of crack).

Big Hary, the cracks in your guitar are almost certainly just cosmetic.

Rich · #9 03-20-2008, 03:00 PM

I never said they were anything to worry about [unless you're planing on treating it like a Vai stage guitar], just stating the facts

Algiman · #10 03-20-2008, 03:02 PM

... which made me realise my first post could be misleading.

heffergm · #11 03-20-2008, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich

Anybody care to claim EVO's NJFC's are just the paint?

It's the wood, it's just called a "finish" crack because that's the phrase that stuck.

I'd hazard a guess that EVO gets significantly more abuse than the average Jem. I'm sure EVO's are the wood. As for the rest of them, you'd know better than I.

Big Hary · #12 03-20-2008, 05:34 PM

Guys !
You made my day !
Yes,I also think (now I think,but before your optimistic answers I was very disappointed and just hoping it is not serious ) there shouldn't be any impact on guitar performance,except the finish is cracked.
In addition ,7 vwh has thiny layer (o.5 mm ?) of some another wood (bass wood?) over the "body " wood,in a manner to keep good foundation for the paint. Am I right ?

So,there shouldn't be any serious impact on connection neck/body.
I don't care about (small mistakes in ) cosmetics , anyway it could give some charm to this guitar...

But,if the NJFC is so common , what could be a reason for that ?
We have very dry climate here in SA .Should I put humidifier in my guitar room ?
Cheers,
BH

ps
this is f..cking good site .

Algiman · #13 03-20-2008, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Hary

what is NJFC ?

Neck Joint Finish Crack

Big Hary · #14 03-20-2008, 05:52 PM

Thanks Algiman,
(crossing posting here , I already find it out, and edited my post ,thanks anyway..)

shreddersymphony · #15 03-20-2008, 06:02 PM

Yikes. So much for that whole "ibanez jems are superior quality" thing. You'd think for 2300 dollars they would figure out some way to take care of this issue, apparently its been a problem for years. I've only had two Ibanez guitars, babied them both and they still developed this problem after only a few months, sitting in temperature controlled rooms.