Finish or lacquer peeling on fretboard

[Blue Elevator]

I am looking for feedback as to what might be happening on the neck of an SC-3. I am considering a purchase of one of these guitars. It is a maple neck and there is some finish coming off on the fret side of the maple fret board. Does this affect future investment value? Playability? Should it be refinished or left alone? I appreciate any feedback. Thanks. Ken

[FZTNT]

Hi Blue, post some pics so we can see the issue if you can. I'm sure any de-lamination of the lacquer on the fretboard would effect it's value but maybe not its playability. It's probably not a difficult repair for a competent luthier though.

Tom

[Blue Elevator]

Thanks for the response, Tom

That makes great sense.

Now, if I could figure out how to attach a picture!

[Craig]

Thanks for the response, Tom

That makes great sense.

Now, if I could figure out how to attach a picture!

See: Tutorial: Posting photos

Hope this helps.

[Blue Elevator]

Thank you!

[coloradojeff]

If your fretboard is wearing from use it might not affect the value. People are paying a lot extra for "relic" guitars. I don't understand it but it's the big thing.

[Blue Elevator]

Thanks, ColoradoJeff
That's a great point. I appreciate the input.

[suave eddie]

Is the finish actually peeling off or is it the natural wear that occurs on all maple fretboards?

[Blue Elevator]

Hello Eddie
I tried to post a picture yesterday but I wasn't able to finish setting up my profile on the gallery. I'm not really sure (wear vs defect). I'm waiting for a password reset to get the gallery issue resolved. Thanks for commenting.
Ken

[Blue Elevator]

http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/GALLERY2/ma ... alNumber=3

http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/GALLERY2/ma ... alNumber=3

[yowhatsshakin]

http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/GALLERY2/ma ... alNumber=3

http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/GALLERY2/ma ... alNumber=3

Here the pics straight from your Gallery album to have higher resolution.


Ken, since maple boards are generally lacquered, this is the kind of stuff you can see at times. If you would play the you-know-what out of an instrument with maple board, the lacquer completely disappears and you see the typical grayish color. This damage looks more like blisters, which can be due to several reasons, ranging from trapped humidity underneath the finish to stresses due to temperature variations. But I wouldn't worry about it.

- Jos

[Blue Elevator]

Thank you, Jos

I appreciate it.

Ken

[Al Evans]

... This damage looks more like blisters, which can be due to several reasons, ranging from trapped humidity underneath the finish to stresses due to temperature variations. But I wouldn't worry about it.

- Jos

It looks to me like the marks left by left-hand fingernails longer than they need to be.

--Al Evans

[Blue Elevator]

Thanks, Al

You may be right. It was really hard for me to tell based upon the pictures whether it was some finish issue or fingernail damage. In either case, I decided to pass on purchasing the subject guitar.

Thank you and everyone for all for your input!

Ken