Is finish cracks at the neck joint of bolt ons normal?

[man-in-moon]

I just picked up a new music man sting ray RS Monday. Everything seems to be fine with it but I noticed there is a crack in the finish I assume at the neck joint. I asked on some music man groups on Facebook. Some said it was normal some said it was not. Especially on $2000+ guitars. A few people told me it was common on all bolt on necks. I have owned a lot of teles a few strats and various other bolt on neck guitars over the years and never had it happen to them.
So I was wondering if it seemed normal on a guitar this new?

 

[Masta' C]

Common? Yes

On brand new guitars? No

 

[Mincer]

Common? Yes

On brand new guitars? No

This is my experience, too.

 

[man-in-moon]

Thanks guys it seemed odd to me with it being new. I have owned some expensive guitars but usually bought used or traded into. I have never spent this much money on one. So I was disappointed to see that crack. I have heard a lot of good about music man having stable tuning with the roasted maple neck. But I have had to tune 4 times in less than an hour playtime. Because of all the strings going sharp.

 

[ehdwuld]

If all the strings are going sharp
then the neck is straightening out Is it flat now?

Where did it ship from?

 

[ICTGoober]

Yes, new guitars. Go to any Guitar Center to browse and you'll find cracks around the neck joints. The plastic finishes do not move when the wood moves during cycles of heating and cooling, humidity, and barometic pressure. Let's not forget that wood used to be a living thing, and it still responds to these things.

Also - it's NOTHING to worry about (even though many unenlightened do).

 

[alex1fly]

Yes, normal enough in my experience. The degree to which it's a problem is probably case-by-case.