Finish crack or trouble brewing?

Hey Guys,

Was looking for some input on an Artcore Custom Series Hollowbody. The Owner dutifully pointed out a "finish" crack near the set neck. It seems to run into or from the screw in the neck pup trim ring. (wasn't sure how to post a pic. The "crack" photo is in the top row, far right)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251023543000?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Do you think this is simply a finish crack or is this the begining of a wood crack problem?

Hope I'm posting in the correct forum!

Thanks,

KC

i would avoid a problem like that in an online purchase ... i might buy the guitar if i could inspect it in person ... it might be ok, but not worth the risk !!!

Tough call.

I would be afraid of that. Looks like someone maybe stripped a trim ring screw and put in a new one that was too big and perhaps did stress the wood enough to crack it.

I agree that in person.....with the trim ring removed and all trim ring screws out to compare, it might be ok. But if it's not.......

Thanks guys! I appreciate you taking a look!

Think I'll steer clear...

KC

hey Hingham brother, nice guitar but it does look like wood crack that being said for the right price (less than what they're asking) it might be a nice guitar

Id doesn't look like a through-and-through to me. A crack at the grain where any screw is installed is not uncommon - finish or wood. If the wood grain spreads slightly when the screw is tightened it may create enough stress to crack the finish but not the wood.

That being said, if you have any experience at all with guitar repairs the chances are it's not a big deal. It's the part of the soundbox with probably the least vibration, hence the least effect on tone. If it a actually was a wood crack you'd need a mirror, a couple of small wood cleats, some hide glue or titebond and a hunk of compressible foam (the soft stuff) that would fit between the cleat and back (or a few popsicle sticks, chopsticks - anything just a tiny bit longer than the space between back and cleat.

Make sure the grain in the cleat runs across the crack (not the same direction), spread a little glue on it, get it in place and use the foam or stick (which you bend slightly to place so it puts pressure on the cleat - a "spreader" clamp). Let it dry overnight, take the foam or stick out and you're done. You can also spread narrow strips of cloth soaked in glue over the open areas of the crack for additional insurance.

It's an easy spot to get to - simply remove the front pickup.

These guitars, despite the low price, are very well built and will stand up to a lot of abuse - one reason I doubt it's a wood crack. Even if it was the repair is a simple one.

Plus since the seller has stated it's NOT a wood crack, if you find it is the deal is covered by eBay's buyer protection plan. They've really tightened up on crooked sellers.

If the price stays low I'd go for it (if you like the fancy inlay and gold hardware). It's especially attractive as a HSC is included. But if you're looking for a hollowbody player you could probably save some bucks and not fret about the finish-or-not-finish-crack question by shopping for plainer AF75's

Im pretty sure thats a laminated top, and I doubt the actual wood is cracked like on an acoustic with a solid wood top which would follow the grain line. Most likely just the finish. IMHO

Good point about the laminated top - for some reason I was thinking it was one of Ibanez overseas-only solid-top models. And solid-top archtops are not necessarily advantageous if the guitar is primarily played plugged-in. Many boutique builders use laminated (aka "pressed" vs "carved") tops on their electric archtops. The only sacrifice is in acoustic tone - amplified there's reportedly little difference except for the lower level of feedback with the lam top.