Question about guitar strap marks and GADs

[jgmaute]

This is a strange one. I use Planet Waves straps on all my guitars. I just recently noticed that my GAD30R has a circle of small scratches around the end and top strap buttons. Based on the location and size they are being made by the leather connector on the guitar straps. These marks are not present on any of my other guitars. I'm going to change to an older soft full leather strap on my GAD but I'm wondering
1. if it has anything to do with the finish – High Gloss (Polyester)– on the GAD
2. if anyone else has noticed the same thing and
3. what suggestions you have to try and deal with the scratches (just finish scratches)
thanks, joan

 

[pickoid]

I notice my Blueridge, which I assume has a very similar finish to a GAD, is more susceptible to minor shirt button scratches and so forth than I would have thought. I don't have any suggestions as to how to fix the scratches. I just live with 'em.

 

[taabru45]

Seriously...that is good to be aware of...I was under the impression that those finishes were hard like steel... :wink: Steffan

 

[Rich]

Particles of dirt get sandwiched between the strap and guitar, creating those marks.

 

[jgmaute]

Particles of dirt get sandwiched between the strap and guitar, creating those marks.

I always take the strap off when I put the guitar in the case then put it back on when I take it out to play. (Of course I do this for my other guitars too.) So I guess it was the small particles of dirt combined with the on and off that the marks. They're really not that bad and of course the guitar strap covers them when it is on. It just surprised me. And, this is my "beach" guitar so it could be sand that got inbetween the guitar and the strap which the other guitars don't get since they don't go to the beach. Guess I'll be more careful in wiping down the guitar and strap ends on beach nights. (Beach season starts soon...or usually does, hard to say this year with the cold weather. We usually play Tuesdays April - October.) Joan

 

[spiderman]

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away........
Wait a minute :roll: anyway on some forum certainly over a year ago, I read that poly finishes such as the one that GADs have, have a tendency to scratch more than nitro finishes. Wish I could be more helpful, maybe that is part of the explanation, although the dirt theory sound good to me.

Harmony H-173 bought in 1960 (retired), Alvarez AC60S 2008, Eastman AC320ce 2008 "Hybrid", Guild GAD-JF30E(blonde) 2008, Guild JF55 1997, Guild D25M 1974, Martin Grand J35E 2009

 

[Nigel Wickwire]

Joan, I think you've probably answered your own question. No doubt some sand caught between the strap and the body of the guitar creating those scratches. I'm sure the finish on that GAD is top quality, but sand will wear down anything. Definitely not a reflection on the quality of the finish.

I'm no luthier, but if the scratches bother you, I would suggest trying to polish or buff them out. You might try some of the 3M Polish papers over at StewMac:

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Finishi...es,_buffers/3M_Flexible_Polishing_Papers.html

I've not tried this, but I'll wager those scratches could be rubbed out with some of that ultra fine grit polishing paper.

Edit: and here is some good reading about instrument finishes, by master luthier Frank Ford:

http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Musician/GenMaint/FinishIntro/finishintro.html

Cheers,

~nw

 

[charliea]

This stuff actually works. http://www.guitarscratchremover.com/