Is this anything more than cosmetic?

M

mexstrat

New member
Hi. I have a 2005 mexican made strat and for about a year I've had this chip right in the neck socket. I think it gives it character. I don't mind the way it looks. I'm just wondering if there is anything about it that could cause tonal or playability problems in the future. 20170208_161317.jpg
 
Re: Is this anything more than cosmetic?

It's paint. WTH could it possibly contribute to the sound of the guitar?
 
Re: Is this anything more than cosmetic?

ICTGoober said:
It's paint. WTH could it possibly contribute to the sound of the guitar?
Click to expand...

I was wondering if anybody sees something wrong underneath the paint that is of concern. On the lower left portion of the chip, I notice what might be leftover glue but might be some sort of deformity in the wood. Idk. I just want to know if there is anything that looks bad in that. If the wood chips, that would be a tonal problem right? I'd like to keep this guitar for possibly the rest of my life. I just got new pickups for it and I'm very pleased with it. I just don't want the neck to come off of the body in the next year and making it so that my guitar needs a new body. I don't notice any structural issues, but I don't want a structural issue to come up. Same thing goes for problem that is tonal, or has to do with playability. I want this guitar to last. Cosmetic issues are cosmetic benefits in my book. This chip gives the guitar character. It shows that the guitar gets use and that I actually play it. I just don't want this to be the beginning of the guitar completely falling apart.
 
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Re: Is this anything more than cosmetic?

It's just caused by the neck being flexed side to side and the finish being too brittle in that soft spot to handle it. It's common to see little finish cracks around the neck pocket, but unfortunate when a big piece flakes off like that.
 
Re: Is this anything more than cosmetic?

Just play the darn thing. There is nothing wrong with it.
 
Re: Is this anything more than cosmetic?

mexstrat said:
I was wondering if anybody sees something wrong underneath the paint that is of concern. On the lower left portion of the chip, I notice what might be leftover glue but might be some sort of deformity in the wood. Idk. I just want to know if there is anything that looks bad in that. If the wood chips, that would be a tonal problem right? I'd like to keep this guitar for possibly the rest of my life. I just got new pickups for it and I'm very pleased with it. I just don't want the neck to come off of the body in the next year and making it so that my guitar needs a new body. I don't notice any structural issues, but I don't want a structural issue to come up. Same thing goes for problem that is tonal, or has to do with playability. I want this guitar to last. Cosmetic issues are cosmetic benefits in my book. This chip gives the guitar character. It shows that the guitar gets use and that I actually play it. I just don't want this to be the beginning of the guitar completely falling apart.
Click to expand...

Don't worry about the paint and such. It gives the guitar character. Your guitar may get more chips on it and the years go by. It will still be a player no matter what. Just ask Stevie.;)

Annamaria-DiSanto-Getty-Images.jpg




;>)/
 
Re: Is this anything more than cosmetic?

RorySquier said:
Don't worry about the paint and such. It gives the guitar character. Your guitar may get more chips on it and the years go by. It will still be a player no matter what. Just ask Stevie.;)

Annamaria-DiSanto-Getty-Images.jpg




;>)/
Click to expand...

I just hope I don't run into major issues playing it. I'm ok with the cosmetic stuff.
 
Re: Is this anything more than cosmetic?

You won't even run into minor issues. No matter how that chipping progresses - if it does, but it may not - it will not affect playability, tone/sound plugged/unplugged, it won't affect the neck or neck/body joint let alone weaken or cause the neck to break. It will never be more than a cosmetic issue. You could take a claw hammer and wack rat bites all over the body and youd never hear a difference. I'd draw attention to it; put a smiley face sticker on it upside down so it's looking at you; an American flag; a duck. Something meaningful to you. Don't just ignore it; celebrate it. It's a battle scar. Just keep playing and never give it another concern. That guitar will last, as you wish; it will out live you unless you go hendrix and torch it!
 
Re: Is this anything more than cosmetic?

I will add that many bolt-on guitars with regular use develop cracks in the finish at the neck joint. These rarely go into the wood (unless a lot of pressure is on that neck sideways), and sometimes the paint chips off. I have paint stress cracks all over my main guitar.
 
Re: Is this anything more than cosmetic?

Yup, purely cosmetic.

Ignore those trying to make you feel stupid for asking. It's stupid NOT to ask if you're not sure.
 
Re: Is this anything more than cosmetic?

Looks like the finish on Stevie's actually wore rather than fell off in chunks.

Just funning with the OP. I have a couple that look like they were dipped in PlastiKote too. :bigok:
 
Re: Is this anything more than cosmetic?

Darg1911 said:
Looks like the finish on Stevie's actually wore rather than fell off in chunks.

Just funning with the OP. I have a couple that look like they were dipped in PlastiKote too. :bigok:
Click to expand...

Stevie Ray's guitar had a nitro finish from back in the early 1960's while the OP's finish on his guitar is probably polyurethane. Poly doesn't wear as well as nitro does which explains the difference between the two.



;>)/
 
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