Checking Question

Dukester · #1 12-20-2009, 11:08 PM

Im considering purchasing a Froggy from a reputable seller, at a great price, except that there is some minor finish checking on the top. As it is aesthetically, I'm OK with it, and it probably wouldn't be a huge issue if I had to sell it later...but I'm wondering if Finish Checking is prone to "grow" or "spread." Im not sure how OK I'd be if the problem spread.

Is there anyway other than a refinish to cure finish checking? Certainly I wouldn't do that for a minor issue, but in the future, Id be curious what the options were if it were to get worse.

Thanks....

ricks · #2 12-21-2009, 06:01 AM

Dukester, if it's just finish checking I personally would not worry about it at all. There are tons of great guitars out there with some checking in the finish. And if that is all it is, and not cracks into the wood, don't worry about it.

My Froggy Braz dread has a little finish checking on the lower bout, front and back. Doesn't bother me a bit, and adds a touch of character to the guitar.
Lets me know the finish isn't one of those too thick plastic coatings some builders use.

What model Frog you looking at ? We'll expect to see it at the next Fla gathering.

cpabolting · #3 12-21-2009, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricks

Dukester, if it's just finish checking I personally would not worry about it at all. There are tons of great guitars out there with some checking in the finish. And if that is all it is, and not cracks into the wood, don't worry about it.

My Froggy Braz dread has a little finish checking on the lower bout, front and back. Doesn't bother me a bit, and adds a touch of character to the guitar.
Lets me know the finish isn't one of those too thick plastic coatings some builders use.

What model Frog you looking at ? We'll expect to see it at the next Fla gathering.

I am more familiar more on Martins (though it is not on many Martins) than any other guitars. They don't typically spread and most people consider that "honest wear" and they say it doesn't typically create a deduction on resale though as a consumer, it does for me. Not much, but it is a factor.
I would not give much thought to it.

airguitarro · #4 12-21-2009, 08:22 AM

Hopewfully this is not OTT, but does finish checking ever happen to guitars with other finishes other than nitro? Examples being catalysed lacquer, poly, french polish, varnish, the melamine based finish used on Sobells, etc.

Dukester · #5 12-21-2009, 12:15 PM

Its a Froggy F. The checking is small; if it stayed the same, I wouldn't mind at all, it's spreading that bothers me.

It doesn't help that the guitar is located in Arizona, dryest place in the universe, and Im in Florida, the most humid place in the universe.

kats45 · #6 12-21-2009, 12:20 PM

Isn't finish checking the result of too rapid exposure to change in temperature?

ricks · #7 12-21-2009, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kats45

Isn't finish checking the result of too rapid exposure to change in temperature?

It does not even have to be rapid change, just from one extreme to the other that usually does it. Mine is actually due to being hung too close to an outside wall on the shop. That is why it's confined to the bottom of the lower bout.

Coming from Az to Fla should not have any effect I can think of on finish checking. Unless the shipper gets it cold then hot or vice versa too many times.