Help with a 50s Road Worn Strat listed for Sale

[HandOfIke]

Got a chance to buy a 50's spec Road Worn Stratocaster, I have a 50's Road Worn Telecaster and absolutely love it - I know there are some differences but I want to give it a go.

Here is the issue it been relisted for sale due to the previous buyer thinking there are cracks in the fretboard. The seller has been completely honest about this and the following is a quote from the description.

"This was relisted as the buyer thought the neck had cracks in it. What he’s talking about have been there since new, & I consider them to be part of the aging process. I’ve added a photo which shows the mark. If you look you will clearly see that the mark stops just before a fret, and re starts after the fret in a slightly different area, a crack wouldn’t do this. Also I’ve checked the internet and forums regarding cracks in Fender maple necks and can find very little. It certainly does not effect the tone or playability. Cracks appear to be seen on the back of the neck, if they are on the front, this is not the case with this guitar."

To be honest had I brought this and seen the neck I would have considered it to be part of the ageing too, but that's not to say it is and I now am a little concerned about how easy it would be to sell on should I not get on with the guitar.

Is anyone able to offer any advice, I know this is a Telecaster forum but I trust it more than any other guitar forum I am on for sensible answers.

Thanks for reading

 

[Matthias]

They could be mineral streaks in the maple.

 

[Red Ryder]

It's a small check in the grain that's going nowhere. When I'm cutting fretboards from bois d'arc I have to watch for this and sometimes they slip by. With a tight glue job to the neck it is not a problem other than visual.

 

[Tricone]

.

 

[Chester Burnett]

I'd pass and find a better example. They aren't rare or anything.

 

[HandOfIke]

I'd pass and find a better example. They aren't rare or anything.

Cheers, I actually like it just wondered if this was something I should be concerned about

It's being offered at a really good price too


Cheers

 

[HandOfIke]

Thanks for the other replies

It's being offered at a good price over £300 cheaper than they usually go for I think due to it being sent back last time it sold

I'll weigh it up and see

Cheers

 

[Telekarster]

I would have zero concerns about this, especially if you can get a deal on it. It does look like a surface crack to me, but it's tight and also consider the frets and glue are holding it together as well thereby supporting it. If you play it enough, my guess is your own finger oils and such will make it virtually disappear in time. Nice looking guitar man!

 

[HandOfIke]

I would have zero concerns about this, especially if you can get a deal on it. It does look like a surface crack to me, but it's tight and also consider the frets and glue are holding it together as well thereby supporting it. If you play it enough, my guess is your own finger oils and such will make it virtually disappear in time. Nice looking guitar man!

Yeah I really like the look...

It's hard to tell how deep it is etc my feeling is it was done for cosmetic reasons and is only surface as if it had cracked like that it would have just stopped at the next fret? The fret goes in fairly deep so any crack would stop there (I might be wrong on that tho).

My only remaining concern is if it needed a re fret at any point would it worsen, fall apart etc etc during the process?

 

[Telekarster]

Yeah I really like the look...

It's hard to tell how deep it is etc my feeling is it was done for cosmetic reasons and is only surface as if it had cracked like that it would have just stopped at the next fret? The fret goes in fairly deep so any crack would stop there (I might be wrong on that tho).

My only remaining concern is if it needed a re fret at any point would it worsen, fall apart etc etc during the process?

Actually, there's no way to really know IMO. Refretting is always a risky process. The cracks may have actually happened in the fretting process and were not noticable at first or perhaps the neck was subject to hot/cold where the frets expanded more than the wood, or vice versa, over time... either way, my guess is that they've probably done all they're going to do at this point. If I were able to get a deal on it because of it, they wouldn't worry me at all. I'd just keep an eye on em and deal with that issue if it were to become one. Good luck man in whatever you decide!

 

[HandOfIke]

Actually, there's no way to really know IMO. Refretting is always a risky process. The cracks may have actually happened in the fretting process and were not noticable at first or perhaps the neck was subject to hot/cold where the frets expanded more than the wood, or vice versa, over time... either way, my guess is that they've probably done all they're going to do at this point. If I were able to get a deal on it because of it, they wouldn't worry me at all. I'd just keep an eye on em and deal with that issue if it were to become one. Good luck man in whatever you decide!

Cheers dude

I think you're right... The only way to find out anymore is to re fret it so it's a judgement call..

I'm leading more towards buying it atm

 

[Telekarster]

Cheers dude

I think you're right... The only way to find out anymore is to re fret it so it's a judgement call..

I'm leading more towards buying it atm

FWIW - I've seen a number of originals over the years that have had similar cracks like this one and you can tell that nobody worried about em, as they had been virtually worn away by playing yet still visible if you see what I mean. I've seen some that were really wide and deep in comparison to these, too. The frets look pretty good to me on this one, are you sure you'd need to do a refret?

 

[brenn]

Wouldn't worry me. The placement of that crack wouldn't indicate any kind of post-production damage I could think of. Besides, a Fender guitar is just a collection of parts - I'd buy it with the headstock broken off if the price was right.

 

[IrishBread69]

Zero concerns for me.

If something went wrong in time you can replace the neck for less than the cost of the discount you're getting now.

 

[NC E30]

If it plays nice, and I got a good deal on it, that wouldn't bother me. It is a relic after all, it just adds to the character.

 

[HandOfIke]

FWIW - I've seen a number of originals over the years that have had similar cracks like this one and you can tell that nobody worried about em, as they had been virtually worn away by playing yet still visible if you see what I mean. I've seen some that were really wide and deep in comparison to these, too. The frets look pretty good to me on this one, are you sure you'd need to do a refret?

Cheers

No it definitely doesn't need a re fret was just speculating if it eventually did

Agree that this is just part of the road worn look

I think it will be fine

 

[AJBaker]

Though I'm otherwise not too keen on relics, that's a very pretty and classy looking guitar. I wouldn't worry if the price is right.

 

[tweedman2001]

I would go for it since the price is right. They are excellent guitars which feel great and play well. I bought the same one a while back before the price started increasing and liked it enough that I got a 60s model too. Awesome necks. Unfortunately the prices are climbing as this version of Road Worn guitars have been replaced by the Vinteras with slightly different specs.

 

[Mind Flayer]

Unless you can get a really great deal on it, I’d pass. If you end up not liking it for whatever reason, this is going to make it more difficult for you to sell. Sure, some people might be okay with it, but others (like the person the seller originally tried to sell to) won’t. As someone else pointed out, it’s not like this is a one of a kind model - you can find another without this issue.

If you’re able to try it out in person and you absolutely must have it, then I guess if you’re confident you won’t be re-selling it and you get a good discount, then maybe do it. But with me, it’s really hard to find a guitar that you know with 100% certainty that you won’t be re-selling it.

 

[wblynch]

Just wondering why the original owner doesn’t just put in a warranty claim to Fender? But as mentioned above, a replacement neck costs less than the discount allowed.