Hi All,
I got my 1976 F212-XL NT off eBay in Feb '09. Happily "bought it now" for $1,450 to my door. It had allegedly been "in a closet" for 33 years and looked it...not a scratch or dent to be found...even the pick guard hardly had a mark on it. Everything perfect except for slight bowing on top just below bridge on right due to, I guess, high string tension and no humidity for three decades. Local tech addressed the problem with some humidification and it is almost invisible. Plays great.
Wanted lower action so took it to the same tech (3-location private chain...not a franchise) and am feeling sick after getting it back. Despite its age, the finish had no checking that I could see before I dropped it off. When it came back there was checking all over the place (see a bunch of pics on imageshack), particularly at about 2:00 and 5:00 around the hole, but small spots elsewhere.
http://img221.imageshack.us/i/guildf212xlnt001.jpg/
Apparently the tech had to sand down the bridge, causing these stress fractures in the old lacquer. He has offered to refinish the entire top at no charge, but also pointed out that finish checking on vintage instruments is not necessarily a bad thing. He offered as evidence the attached link, from which this quote is taken "if you’re one of the many players who actually take pride in its badge-of-honor presence, you might not consider finish checking a problem in the first place."
http://www.fender.com/news/index.php?display_article=466
I have to say this article doesn't make me feel much better, not only because it deals with nitro-finish solid body Fenders, instead of lacquered acoustic Guilds, but also because in the picture, the checking seems to be pervasive and uniform in its pattern, whereas mine is local to certain spots and definitely not uniform.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think I have anything to worry about regarding playability...I expect the sound to stay rich and full and continue to mellow more as the years go by, if that's even possible. I'm very concerned about appearance and resale value, and doing the right thing to honor this old instrument as well as protect my investment. You can hardly see anything looking straight on, and there's no surface irregularity to the touch. It's noticeable only when the light is right, and then it's hideous, in my opinion. Here's what I'm wondering:
1. If I care for the instrument (humidity, temperature, etc) will the checking spread or stay pretty much as is?
2. Will the checking develop into cracks that expose the wood beneath to damage?
3. Will the checking affect sound?
4. Will the checking affect resale value?
5. Should I consider having the top refinished? Why or why not?
6. Should I consider asking for damages in the form of a check representing the degradation on resale value, or asking the store to find me a replacement vintage instrument?
Thanks in advance for reading my long winded sob story, and for any advice or comfort you can provide. I have a small 'family', this and a 1973 F-47 I bought new, so when one of my 'kids' is hurt, I'm hurt. I've never spent $1,400 on anything other than a car in my life, so I'm going through major trauma here...
Dennis
I got my 1976 F212-XL NT off eBay in Feb '09. Happily "bought it now" for $1,450 to my door. It had allegedly been "in a closet" for 33 years and looked it...not a scratch or dent to be found...even the pick guard hardly had a mark on it. Everything perfect except for slight bowing on top just below bridge on right due to, I guess, high string tension and no humidity for three decades. Local tech addressed the problem with some humidification and it is almost invisible. Plays great.
Wanted lower action so took it to the same tech (3-location private chain...not a franchise) and am feeling sick after getting it back. Despite its age, the finish had no checking that I could see before I dropped it off. When it came back there was checking all over the place (see a bunch of pics on imageshack), particularly at about 2:00 and 5:00 around the hole, but small spots elsewhere.
http://img221.imageshack.us/i/guildf212xlnt001.jpg/
Apparently the tech had to sand down the bridge, causing these stress fractures in the old lacquer. He has offered to refinish the entire top at no charge, but also pointed out that finish checking on vintage instruments is not necessarily a bad thing. He offered as evidence the attached link, from which this quote is taken "if you’re one of the many players who actually take pride in its badge-of-honor presence, you might not consider finish checking a problem in the first place."
http://www.fender.com/news/index.php?display_article=466
I have to say this article doesn't make me feel much better, not only because it deals with nitro-finish solid body Fenders, instead of lacquered acoustic Guilds, but also because in the picture, the checking seems to be pervasive and uniform in its pattern, whereas mine is local to certain spots and definitely not uniform.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think I have anything to worry about regarding playability...I expect the sound to stay rich and full and continue to mellow more as the years go by, if that's even possible. I'm very concerned about appearance and resale value, and doing the right thing to honor this old instrument as well as protect my investment. You can hardly see anything looking straight on, and there's no surface irregularity to the touch. It's noticeable only when the light is right, and then it's hideous, in my opinion. Here's what I'm wondering:
1. If I care for the instrument (humidity, temperature, etc) will the checking spread or stay pretty much as is?
2. Will the checking develop into cracks that expose the wood beneath to damage?
3. Will the checking affect sound?
4. Will the checking affect resale value?
5. Should I consider having the top refinished? Why or why not?
6. Should I consider asking for damages in the form of a check representing the degradation on resale value, or asking the store to find me a replacement vintage instrument?
Thanks in advance for reading my long winded sob story, and for any advice or comfort you can provide. I have a small 'family', this and a 1973 F-47 I bought new, so when one of my 'kids' is hurt, I'm hurt. I've never spent $1,400 on anything other than a car in my life, so I'm going through major trauma here...
Dennis