Damage to neck finish... any thoughts?

[Christina Perry]

Hi, all -

I just bought a Martin 00, about 15 years old. It was described as having "some scratches", and from the pictures that's what it looked like. When I got it, there were a few other issues, but the one that really bothers me is a big blotch on the neck that can be felt when playing, and to me is more than cosmetic. (You can play it, but that unevenness is distracting, and I think, unacceptable.) The seller is arguing that it's strictly cosmetic.

Looks a bit like contact with a reactive stand, though I'm really not sure.. I'd like to get your thoughts on what you think about this damage, likely cause, and what it might take to repair it. I'm interested in likely cause in case it's something that could also indicate other issues that I should look for.

I really appreciate your thoughts!

Christina

[Paul Verticchio]

Hi Christina.

I've seen lacquer chips like this on Martins for decades. "What" caused it may be a significant item. I see a bit of blushing around the chip so my best guess would be it was caused by excess moisture when the original finish was applied. This is not a rare or unusual occurrence.

Luckily, it's a lacquer finish. You can either spot fill the divot with nitro lac or refinish the entire back of the neck. I'd opt for a refin as the photos indicate that it's not finished lifting. Either way, it's a simple task if you follow the correct procedures which can be found on line & in books.

As far as the 'cosmetic' issue, I opt to offer no comment. That's between you & the seller. Caveat Emptor.

I'm sure you'll receive other applicable technical solutions to address and correct the finish issue.

Best of luck :)

[Christina Perry]

Thanks Paul, I appreciate your thoughts. I definitely won't use your insights for anything other than my own information!

[William F.Eden]

It looks like the finish is lifting off. Likely caused by what ever they used under the finish and the lacquer didnot inharet to it. I have had Martins come in here with that same problem only on the back of the Insturment.You could stick your fingernail under the eadge and lift the finish right off. You will just have to scrape and sand it off and treat it with Napta gas then Amonia and refinsh it .No big deal Goodluck Bill...........

[Christina Perry]

Thanks, Bill!

[Glen H]

Just my opinion - if you can feel it, it is not cosmetic.

[Christina Perry]

That's how I tend to feel about it, Glen. An uneven neck drives me nuts, and I don't think a neck with an abnormality you can feel is functioning as it should (but yes, I suppose that's a matter of opinion.) I appreciate the input.

[Hesh Breakstone]

If I had purchased this guitar with the "damage" represented as only cosmetic I would consider that the instrument has been grossly misrepresented.... As such I would be expecting the seller to make it right or take it back with a full refund of my money.

Making it right to me would entail paying for the repairs or again accepting it back with a full refund.

This is not only cosmetic.... It interferes with the functionality - cosmetic by definition would not interfere with the functionality And this will likely get worse too.

[Christina Perry]

Thank you, Hesh. That's how I feel. I have to go get an estimate today, to appease eBay Buyer Protection. I can understand why they have the process they do, but it's hard given that it's not guitar-specific and they don't understand guitars and what this damage beyond "scratches" means. One of the things they want addressed is "why it doesn't work". In my mind, the irregular finish on the neck makes it not work as it should... I'm going to take it to Gryphon today to get an estimate and hopefully clear this up. Definitely not what I thought I was buying; I don't mind project guitars when that's what I expect, but it wasn't in this case. And the bad-faith tone of this deal (with the seller not responding or making it right, as most of us do when a buyer isn't happy in a guitar deal) just makes me want to return it. We'll see what happens!

[LARRY KLOSE]

One thing that might help your negotiations if the seller was the original owner is to point out the Martin warranty.  The original owner may be able to get it fixed under warranty if Martin agrees that the damage was bad application of the original finish.  If this happened, it could be a win-win.

This assumes, of course, that the seller will communicate with you... .

Larry

[Christina Perry]

Thanks, Larry, that's a good thought. Unfortunately, I've come to realize that the seller isn't a knowledgeable guitar person/likely doesn't even play , and I don't think he's the original owner. And frankly, given this situation I'd much prefer to throw this one back and find another... I'm afraid I've been fortunate enough to have great transactions in the past with upstanding sellers, so I've become maybe a bit too trusting. But I like to think most of us are the upstanding type.