EVOL! Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 Yesterday at rehearsal I was jamming out on my SG and I looked down at the neck joint. There is a hair line "crack" going from where the fretboard meets the neck all the way around to the other side where the fretboard meets the neck. It runs perfectly perpendicular to the edge where the neck's heel meets the body. It sent some chills down my spine. So, my question is - is there anyway to tell if this is a crack in just the finish or if it is the wood starting to split? The guitar plays fine otherwise and if I run my fingers over the "crack" I don't really feel it. I'll post pictures later tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mick Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 It sounds like its the clear coat. Did it have a quick temp change or any pressure on the neck ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVOL! Posted November 23, 2009 Author Share Posted November 23, 2009 No pressure on the neck and the guitar has been up at my rehearsal space. The place is climate controlled so any temperature change would have been gradual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thundergod Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 How old is the guitar? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVOL! Posted November 23, 2009 Author Share Posted November 23, 2009 It's the 2003 SG Special in my avatar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mick Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 Cracks in the coat just happen sometimes I really doubt it's the wood. But you might want to have it looked at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 A crack in an SG? no suprise at all. Got any pics yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVOL! Posted November 24, 2009 Author Share Posted November 24, 2009 Tonight, I swear. Had some house troubles last night so I didn't get around to taking photos and uploading them. Lame? Yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVOL! Posted November 24, 2009 Author Share Posted November 24, 2009 Here is the photo. Not sure how it is going to turn out here. You might be able to see it. I tried to frame it with the rectangle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riffster Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 When I got my Explorer I had to return it because of this exactly, I had that option so I did. Who knows if that is just a finish crack, wood expanding at different rates...I say as long as it wasn't due to an impact it should be alright, I mean it is what it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mick Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 Thats the finish a small stress crack right at the heel I'd say thats a pretty typical spot for it as well. Hear is my '70/'72 deluxe this happened during a winter gig in Colorado we were late to and I had to grab my guitar and go on right away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVOL! Posted November 24, 2009 Author Share Posted November 24, 2009 Thanks. I am a little less worried. Still going to take it in next week. We are auditioning a bass player Sunday so I don't want to be without my main axe. Just for fun, here is another photo. Just got the camera so I looked up the digital macro function. The white line running parallel to the fretboard is from the flash. The crack is almost perfectly perpendicular to the 19th fret. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackie Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 On my SG which has a natural finish that is right where the joint is from neck to body. If I run a finger nail over it I can barely feel it. So that would be the exact place for any movement in the two pieces of wood. As long as it does'nt expand it should be ok I would hope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myspace.com/jessenoah Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 even if the crack is worse then your worst possible thundergod-esqe nightmare, there are very good guitar repairmen who repair things 10 times worse on a daily basis...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVOL! Posted November 28, 2009 Author Share Posted November 28, 2009 I took my SG into Ian at Specimen in Chicago. He said the crack is in the finish due to shrinkage. Nothing to worry about unless it starts splitting which he didn't think would happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recsec Posted November 28, 2009 Share Posted November 28, 2009 That's Good News[scared] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeoConMan Posted November 29, 2009 Share Posted November 29, 2009 the crack is in the finish due to shrinkage. Nothing to worry about unless it starts splitting That would be my assessment. I know it's a moot point to tell you not to worry about it, but you're fine. I could see some unrelieved stress residing in that neck joint, the finish cracked when it expanded slightly. My guess is that it's done and the crack will expand very little from now on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silverbursted Posted November 29, 2009 Share Posted November 29, 2009 Thats real good news that it's not a break. I am curious what type of finish is on your guitar, is it a Gibson or Epi SG? I've read that polyester has a history of cracking vice the nitro-celulous finish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeoConMan Posted November 29, 2009 Share Posted November 29, 2009 I dunno... That hasn't been my experience SB. Even my 2007 Goldtop already has a couple nitro cracks on the top. All I can figure is that it's from assembly when they pushed the pots thru the shaft holes, since that's where they start. Probably cracked some paint away with the posts, or when the shaft nuts were tightened - then spread out. None of my old poly finish stuff is cracking at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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