Hairline Poly Crack... Buy or Pass...?

Hi all,

I'm in the market for a used MIM Strat for my nephew. Found this on Craigslist. Here are some pics of the neck pocket cracks. Owner says he had it at a shop and the tech said they are "just cosmetic." I'd appreciate a professional opinion, thoughts on how to evaluate, and then advice on fixing, buying or passing... I know, a lot to ask. I appreciate any input. I have sprayed my own Strat with ReRanch, so I'm not averse to trying to clean this up if that's warranted.

I did a search and got some information there; I just wanted to post the pics looking for opinions. Thanks in advance!

Shaun

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/shaunpski/IMG_20120515_180340.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/shaunpski/IMG_20120515_180253.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/shaunpski/IMG_20120515_180211.jpg

I don't like the looks of that,looks like it tipped out of a stand and took a shot on the headstock.

Hold the horn (Randy Rhodes style) and push down on the neck. If you can maybe use your knee on the horn, put your fingernail into the crack. If you let go of the neck and the crack captures your fingernail, it could be into the wood. If not, it's just the finish.

I have a Jimmie Vaughan body that had a far worse crack that was the body. That fact was figured into the price of the guitar and I fully refinished it.

That looks bad, especially the lower two pics.

I agree, it looks like it has been dropped, hard.

Not "cosmetic", it looks like the wood underneath is cracked.

I'd definately pass.

If you can test it as noted above with a feeler gage ( a fingernail would be unlikely to penetrate far enough into a crack and not get the gage to penetrate then I wouldn't worry about it.

OTOH if putting stress on it opens the crack and you *can* penetrate it - pass. Or get a dead and fix it.

Thanks everyone. Any point in pulling the neck and looking at the neck pocket? Seller says he's ok with that.

Probably just the finish, but to take the chance, I wouldn't want to pay any more than $200.
I'd say, if it's more than that, buy one you KNOW is good.

I think I'd be more than a little concerned about what caused it, and what OTHER damage may have happened as a result. If it took a big enough hit to lay that large of a crack into the finish, it had to hurt it elsewhere.

I think I'd be more than a little concerned about what caused it, and what OTHER damage may have happened as a result. If it took a big enough hit to lay that large of a crack into the finish, it had to hurt it elsewhere.

+1

Thanks,everyone. I decided to pass. He didn't want to move on the price, and I wasn't about to pay full asking price for it. Used MIM Strats are a dime a dozen at that particular price point. So... still in the market. Thanks again!

Shaun

I think I'd be more than a little concerned about what caused it, and what OTHER damage may have happened as a result. If it took a big enough hit to lay that large of a crack into the finish, it had to hurt it elsewhere.

Agreed.

The OP was right to pass.

I have 2 MIM teles that have those same kind of cracks in the same place. You can push down on the crack and it moves, feels just like its plastic and it has come loose from the body. I'm thinking a polyester finish. My 2 favorite teles at that.