2019 Taylor GS Mini-E Walnut imperfection
 

Hello All, saw this on Clist this AM for $350 and thought even with this imperfection on the back it was worth pulling the trigger.... I scratch has def not broke through into the sound hole ...it looks more like glue to be honest.

What do you guys think did I score a deal?
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I'd say what you paid for the Taylor GS Mini is pretty good. Try rubbing out that imperfection on the back as it looks like it's in the finish which is kind of a waxy-feeling concoction. If it isn't that, maybe it's a compression fracture that was enough to split some veneer fibers but not enough to crack completely through the entire laminate layers?

I tried just using the Taylor Satin finish cleanser, but that did not do anything. I wonder what other stuff I could use to try to buff it out.

If you get the guitar to look new again without any effect on tone or playability, you got a deal. However, if it looks like that when/if you decide to sell it, I'm not so sure you'll get your money back. It's not an imperfection(a word you used) It's damage.

I am going to send the picture to Taylor CS and see what they say. As I mentioned worst case it is a crack in the laminate. Guitar sounds good. I have been meaning to go over and get my HD28 set up by some guys in St. Pete’s one of which used to work at Taylor so I will have him take a look.

I'm wondering, given the straddling of the neck block area by the back imperfection, if the neck was pushed backward or forward enough to cause the back's wood to fracture in the location in the photo? Is there any corresponding damage or evidence of excessive stress where the fingerboard rests over the guitar's top? How about where the neck heel meets the body?

2019 Taylor GS Mini-E Walnut imperfection
 

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Thoughts ? Everything looks normal to me outside of the back area damage

If it is a fracture to the wood (as it appears to me, though pictures can be deceiving) I'd be concerned that weakness at that location may eventually result in the neck creeping up. (action height increasing)

Near the heel the back helps support the neck's resistance to string tension.
If the fracture extends to the deeper layers of wood of the laminate, that would further compromise the mechanical integrity.
I'd use a flashlight to inspect that location inside the guitar.
If you're in the UK, use a torch. ;)-
I'd also remove strings and feel it with my fingertips.

I realize Taylors don't need $5000 neck resets since their necks are bolted on, using interchangeable wedges of various angles.
But still, structural weakness of the back near the heel is not good.

If it is a fracture, I think you paid too much.
Is a return and refund possible?

Great photos! The imperfection on the back is likely a finish imperfection. I think the GS Minis are finished with varnish and then waxed. I'd either leave the finish alone or try steel-wooling it enough to remove the imperfection and then waxing it. If it doesn't bother you, enjoy your neat GS Mini as is!

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There is nothing inside the sound hole at all... perfectly smooth and no issues

If the concern is determined to be in the finish only, then enjoy the nice guitar that you got at a great price. :guitar:

As ragged as that line of damage looks to be, I think that something gave the back a serious whack and broke the outer layer of the laminate outside of the heel block. I think it is not a scratch. Trouble is, it's in an area where damage from use just doesn't happen.

I suggest asking Taylor. Perhaps OP can make a phone call and arrange to send the picture to the person he talked to.

I personally suggest asking the person you bought it from what happened. Since you already bought it they won’t have any incentive to lie. I think no one can tell you for sure if it is a crack or finish issues from just those photos. If you want to know for sure, you could buff it, wax it, or sand it with some really fine grit sandpaper or steel wool. And please let us know what happens if you determine the nature of the damage. Good luck, gs minis are great!

He works at Sam Ash in the warehouse... I am guessing this came in this way.... you can tell it has not been played. Not sure why Sam Ash wouldn’t just return it. I will say it sounds great, amazingly loud for such a small guitar. I have an LX1 Martin and it doesn’t hold a candle. I have just decided I will enjoy it and if it breaks so be it :-) not the end of the world, and maybe he needed the $ more than me.

On a side note I sent the pictures to Taylor, and will be going to get a different guitar set up next week so I will take it and ask them what they think.

A thought
 

My guess is that the seller is being , let's say, economical with the truth. I suspect that the damage happened as Sam Ash's and the employee got a dumpster-dive of a deal and flipped it.