Washburn D-13S-12 top cracks along fingerboard

[Phantoj]

Picked up this 1994 Washburn 12 string recently. Got it rather cheap, but I noticed some issues when I was buying it. One of the issues is these cracks along the fingerboard. To me, they look like they are cracks in the finish, but maybe not in the wood. Maybe this is wishful thinking. The fingerboard support of the neck block extends a bit on each side of the fingerboard but maybe half an inch. So the treble side crack looks like it is supported completely by the neck block.

What do you think? I'm not seeing any shifting of the neck in this area and the guitar seems to have a good neck angle.

[John Arnold]

Looks like finish cracks to me.

[DCCougar]

Originally Posted by John Arnold

Looks like finish cracks to me.

Especially that last one down to the soundhole since it doesn't follow the grain, (which, if it did, usually indicates a neck block shift and need for neck reset). If it's got a good neck angle, it seems you're good to go, but I'd likely take it in and have a pro look at it just to be sure.

[Phantoj]

Originally Posted by John Arnold

Looks like finish cracks to me.

This raises the question of WHY did the finish crack in that particular area, though.

Thick finish on this heavy Korean guitar.

[John Arnold]

Thicker finish is more likely to crack, but this is probably catalyzed polyester, which is not normally prone to cracking.
I suspect the cause is the same as actual top cracks in this location......fingerboard shrinkage.
The edge of the fingerboard constitutes a stress riser, which is further complicated by having the grain in the top parallel with it.
Any shifting of the neck block would also create displacement at the soundhole, and there is none of that here.