Cracks on headstock.. Finish cracks or worse!?

Hendrix89

I posted for advice on this a couple of weeks ago on another forum and got some good help, but I really need a second opinion because I'm seriously getting worried. I am starting to baby my guitar over suspicion that the cracks are serious and may get worse.... It needs to stop!

It's a brand new, 3 month old, Fender CS '69 Closet Classic Strat. Although the factory certificate does in fact indicate that it was made in early '07 so I imagine it was sitting in the Fender factory for the period up until it was sent out to me.

Anyway, just about a week ago I noticed there were two (non factory relic'd) cracks on the headstock. Both of them coming out from under two of the bushings (rings below the pegs). I can easily feel them with my nail.

Now this photo shows the cracks, but it's not the best representation of what they look like. From different angles and under certain lighting they can be more noticable. Have a look at this one now anyway. I might take another one later on. The cracks are coming out from the top of the two bushings in the picture.



So what do you think? Do they look like finish cracks to you?

Voodu Child

Hendrix89 wrote: »

So what do you think? Do they look like finish cracks to you?

Yep. You're not going to get actual cracks running in that direction; its just cracks in the laquer from contracting/expanding. Cracks often form at holes, sharp edges etc.

BuddhaJoe

I have had something similar happen to a headstock of a guitar I imported from the States. I just put it down to the lacquer cracking due to the changing humidity.

Dord

Yeah, it's pretty common. You'll also see it in the cutaways on the body.

Hendrix89

That's all good to hear. It's just sometimes in different light they look worse than how they appear in that photo.

Thanks for the help guys, I'll accept them as finish cracks then.

BuddhaJoe

Hendrix89 wrote: »

That's all good to hear. It's just sometimes in different light they look worse than how they appear in that photo.

Thanks for the help guys, I'll accept them as finish cracks then.

Fantastic! Also if it makes you feel better the cracks never got any worse on my heastock. Now lets see some full pics of that guitar, I love me a good strat!

Hendrix89

Sure thing!

Some artistic shots

Doctor J

On my old strat, a 2000 AmSe, finish cracks develeped up and down the back of the neck to the point where it was pretty much unplayable. It was replaced by Fender under warranty.

Is that a nitro or poly finish?

BuddhaJoe

Thats a beauty man!

Hendrix89

Doctor J wrote: »

On my old strat, a 2000 AmSe, finish cracks develeped up and down the back of the neck to the point where it was pretty much unplayable. It was replaced by Fender under warranty.

Is that a nitro or poly finish?

Wow that's not good! Sorry to hear.

I think this has a nitro finish.

EDIT: Thanks buddha!

Doctor J

Ahh Nitro will crack sooner or later, that's grand.

When poly starts cracking... then you've got a problem