Lacquer lines in the nitro finish on a new guitar - issue?

[Twinfan]

I'm after a bit of advice here from any of the guitar finish experts please  :)

I'm trying to get hold of a particular guitar that's relatively hard to get in the UK, and has now been discontinued by the manufacturer.  There is one that has become available (possibly the last one?) but it has failed QC by the importer due to "lacquer lines" in the finish of the neck.  The dealer I'm speaking to is taking the guitar anyway as it's a common issue with a nitro-cellulose finish and they're getting a discount.

They're prepared to offer the guitar to me with a further discount from their already competitive price with £100 off (roughly 10%-ish).  I haven't seen the guitar as yet, but I'm very interested in it - especially with the extra discount.

Are lacquer lines in nitro-cellulose anything to be worried/concerned about?  Is it purely a cosmetic issue, or something that may become worse in time?

Cheers for any advice  :D

[Philly Q]

I don't really know what they mean by "lacquer lines", unless perhaps there are places where you can see uneven colour under the clear top coats?

If that was the case it wouldn't get any worse of course, but maybe it's something completely different.  :?

[Oli]

I'd imagine it's where some of the laquer has run where they were over-zealous and applied too much laquer when finishing. It'll be a cosmetic issue, but depending on the size of the run, you may with to take a little Wet & Dry/Sandpaper to it and then polish it up to make it better. It may leave a cosmetic mark after, but seeing as it'll probably be on the back of the neck, you should be ok with it. If it was that bad, chances are they wouldn't sell it :)

[Twinfan]

Cheers guys.  The guitar should arrive at the dealers next week so I'll know a bit more then.  I guess the dealer may tidy it up before selling?  I'm assuming they won't be selling a guitar with ridges of lacquer on the back of the neck, so maybe the distributer has done the tidying ready for sale and has reduced the price accordingly.

Is a £100 discount from a £1300 guitar sufficient enough to cover the cosmetic blemishes????

[Philly Q]

Just had a thought - is it a Gibson?

Maybe they're talking about that "ridge" you can feel with your thumb along the line where the binding meets the neck?  I've had that "problem", to some extent, on all my bound-neck Gibsons.

I wouldn't have thought the dealer would do anything to tidy up the finish, unless you ask them to.  Is there any chance you can inspect it before agreeing the price?

[Twinfan]

Yep, it's a Gibson.  All I know at the moment is what I've said above, which is the info from Rosetti to the dealer.

The dealer has stated the price they're happy with, but if the blemish is bad then I guess I can haggle further.  I suppose it could be at the neck joint in which case it's a very minor problem.  I guess I just had visions of a 12inch lacquer ridge down the side of the neck!

I suppose I'll just have to wait until the guitar comes in next week.  They did say it was a common problem though so maybe it is the neck joint Phil?

[Canadian Steve]

I know over time nitrocellulose can have a cracked appearance, and it might even be a desireable thing to some, as it gives a nice vintage/marble like finish.  I would give it a look in person if it is possible before buying.

[Philly Q]

Time will tell I suppose, Dave.

I was going to say it can't be anything too serious, but then I thought about the cr@p Gibson/Rosetti sometimes let through Quality Control...  

[38thBeatle]

Get them to send you pictures of it. It could be that it is in a place where it is not obvious but it is worth trying to squeeze a few more quid off. Frankly, it wouldn't bother me too much-could add to the character of the guitar.

[Twinfan]

Get them to send you pictures of it.

I asked them earlier when the guitar arrives to do just that Mr 38th  ;)

Frankly, it wouldn't bother me too much-could add to the character of the guitar.

Exactly what I'm thinking...

[blue]

i have a couple of older gibsons with lacquer cracks.  mostly on the body, but one also has them on the neck.  if i remember rightly they're caused by quick changes of temperature, where the wood expands and contracts quicker than the finish.

anyway, they've never caused me any problems and i'm happy enough with their appearance, but i'm not sure i'd be too happy to see them on a brand new guitar, if these cracks are the lines they're talking about.

as others have said, have a good look and think before you buy, and it might be worth it to look extra unsure and see if they'll knock more off the price!

good luck with it anyway, you never know, it might be the best guitar you ever play and a friend for life!

[noodleplugerine]

I got my viper with a crack on the horn and I still say it's the best buy I've ever made.

If it's saving you as much money as it did me, then buy buy buy buy.

[Twinfan]

Well the guitar has arrived at the dealer and I've spoken to them over the phone.  It looks like the guitar has had a replacement nut at some point, and when the old one was removed it's chipped the lacquer on either side of the fingerboard edge.  It's very, very minor and doesn't affect playability at all.  They said it would be hard to photograph so I should just call in and see it for myself.

They've put the guitar on one side for me until I can get to them on Tuesday.  Sounds like they might have a sale  ;)

Anyone guessed what guitar it is yet?

[noodleplugerine]

I'm gunna say an SG Deluxe or that Angus Young signature.

[Twinfan]

Close - very close - but not quite...