Advise on cracks on a new fender strat

Jtaylor

So I haven't actually bought the guitar yet, but I am considering it. Its brand new from a reputable shop and at a great price, the only downsides are some cracks, my question is are these cracks in the lacquer or the wood as well? Is this a cause for concern? 

Thanks in advance for any help 

Andyjr1515

It shouldn't be like this.  To me, they are impact/ strain cracks - in which case steer clear, or they are serious finish shrinkage/brittleness cracks - in which case steer clear.

If there is a massive discount, maybe take a punt.. but if not, steer clear IMHO

ICBM

Lacquer.

Probably caused by low-temperature shrinkage - entirely normal with some finishes and nothing to worry about.

(Unless there's something worse in the third pic, which isn't showing.)

WezV

definitely finish cracks, but they shouldn't be there on a new fender????

strat1990

Andyjr1515 said:

It shouldn't be like this.  To me, they are impact/ strain cracks - in which case steer clear, or they are serious finish shrinkage/brittleness cracks - in which case steer clear.

If there is a massive discount, maybe take a punt.. but if not, steer clear IMHO

+1 on this. I looked at a brand new Tele with the same damage. I put it back straight away- not worth it. I'd avoid this one. 

antifash

Wouldn’t bother me if it was a player at a nice price. 

ICBM

WezV said:

definitely finish cracks, but they shouldn't be there on a new fender????

It was probably left somewhere cold in shipping to the shop.

Some people pay a lot to have it done on purpose .

Philly_Q

ICBM said:

WezV said:

definitely finish cracks, but they shouldn't be there on a new fender????

It was probably left somewhere cold in shipping to the shop.

Some people pay a lot to have it done on purpose .

Does this happen with polyester, urethane etc the same as with nitro?  I thought temperature-related cracking and shrinking was mostly a nitro thing. 

guitars4you

WezV said:

definitely finish cracks, but they shouldn't be there on a new fender????

ICBM said:

Lacquer.

Probably caused by low-temperature shrinkage - entirely normal with some finishes and nothing to worry about.

(Unless there's something worse in the third pic, which isn't showing.)

agree on both accounts but I've seen it before - Don't know how long it has been on the dealers wall and indeed how they have looked after it but a serious discount would need to be on the cards - It might get worse but it is only a lacquer issue - However if you buy and sell at a later date, many will be cautious, as per you, and ask the same questions you are asking, so make sure it is sold at an advantageous price

The dealer should still be able to provide a warranty, via Fender, that it will only stay as a lacquer cracks and not actually develop into the finish actually coming off - Chat to the dealer and see what they will offer you regarding price

My gut feeling is that it has developed such cracks since being on the dealers wall, as surely if it had arrived into stock from Fender like that they would have returned to Fender for immediate replacement - Not sure which Fender model it is, how old and how long in stock, but part of me is questioning why they have not returned to Fender - curious

ICBM

Philly_Q said:

Does this happen with polyester, urethane etc the same as with nitro?  I thought temperature-related cracking and shrinking was mostly a nitro thing. 

Yes, just less than with nitro, and usually not in such a 'nice' and even pattern.

siraxeman

I'd want some discount....them 'cracks' in the neck pocket are very common and its just the finish, but if its sold as a brand new guitar I'd either take some discount or just choose another. Not seen it round the jack input though...still only be finish but its cosmetic flaws that you expect to have discount off the price for.

WezV

siraxeman said:

I'd want some discount....them 'cracks' in the neck pocket are very common and its just the finish, but if its sold as a brand new guitar I'd either take some discount or just choose another. Not seen it round the jack input though...still only be finish but its cosmetic flaws that you expect to have discount off the price for.

A single crack either side is very common... I don’t think 4 parallel cracks is that common.

the good news is 4 parallel cracks shows it almost definitely finish cracks.  

Rabs

Those look like the sort of cracks you get when you tighten the screws on the hardware too much on a new finish or maybe also in this case the neck pocket fits too snuggly....   Its common enough but shouldn't be there on a new guitar....

Jtaylor

Thanks for all the responses, the body is finished in nitro if that helps / changes anything. They've discounted £300 off the cheapest other place to buy it in the uk, so is a good discount but no cheaper than going second hand. I've updated the image links to include the third image as well. Will ask the dealer about the warranty, thanks @guitars4you. Is it likely the cracks will cause the paint to chip / flake off? 

Ravenous

£300 off isn't bad - I think I'd take it.

The cracks are going to ruin the resale value, BUT they are only cosmetic.  So as a player it should be fine.

WezV

I would also take it at that kind of discount, and pay for a refin elsewhere if it bothers you.  

Being a nitro model does help explain it to any future buyers as a feature

Bridgehouse

That should be £300 more than retail for being a relic..

Andyjr1515

What model is it?  In my view £300 off a Fender Standard £500ish normal new price is worth a punt; £300 off an American Pro £1300ish normal new price isn't. 

If it was me, I would value it at a second hand good condition price and make an offer to the shop at that.  As some of the others above have said, the shop should be able to get Fender to replace it with no quibbles and be able to sell the replacement at full price...and they haven't. 

guitars4you

Jtaylor said:

Thanks for all the responses, the body is finished in nitro if that helps / changes anything. They've discounted £300 off the cheapest other place to buy it in the uk, so is a good discount but no cheaper than going second hand. I've updated the image links to include the third image as well. Will ask the dealer about the warranty, thanks @guitars4you. Is it likely the cracks will cause the paint to chip / flake off? 

it shouldn't flake yet I'd still ask about a warranty - better guys on here than me about finishing - but lacquer checking/cracks is one thing - Delamination of the actual finish is another and should be covered by any manufactures warranty, regardless of what you paid for it as a new guitar - Don't let me put you off as delamination is rare and certainly doesn't look as though this has any such issues

Neil

Those finish cracks would bother me TBH. Personally I'd rather buy a second hand version that didn't have that problem. 

No point buying it for a £300 discount and having it refinished which will cost all of that. May as well just buy a perfect one to start with. Plus of course it will be easier to shift if you ever want to sell it on. 

ICBM

If you like the guitar I would just buy it. The cracks aren't anything serious, if the discount brings it down to about the price of a second hand one then it's just like buying used but with a warranty and without any wear, and it's unlikely it will significantly affect the value if you come to sell it on... if it's a nitro finish people expect - and even want - checking. Isn't that half the point of it?

I find it hilarious that some people make such a fuss about this sort of thing when others will happily pay much more than the normal new price for one where this - and much worse - has been done deliberately .