Opinions on finish checking on newer instruments?

[fireyrooster]

I know it's an entirely subjective thing; some people love relic'ing and others don't; some people love vintage finish and others don't.

I have a relatively new high-end acoustic (2018) and was recently forced to ship it during the winter. Resulted in finish checking; mostly on the back of the headstock and a few marks on the neck. Body is fine. Wondering if I should get it refinished or sell as is.

Just curious what the general consensus is.

[Silly Moustache]

My advice would be - Don't have it re-finished.

I'm not one for "relicing" - it's phoney.

Your guitar became finish checked the way guitars always got that way. That's not phoney.

Play it, love it, let it be ....mmm, good name for a song. sL

[Mr. Paul]

Don't refinish it if your only interest is resale value.

Increase in value would be minimal compared to the cost of the work.

[PeterD18DK]

Originally Posted by fireyrooster

Wondering if I should get it refinished or sell as is.

What about paint it over with black aerosol lacquer?

[The Bard Rocks]

Leave it as it is and realize that this is a cost for a lesson you learned. I've had a couple with serious finish checking and, when sold, do not feel they were sold at a discount, at least not enough of one to warrant fixing it.

[Slimt]

Checking gives your guitar Character. Not a bad thing.

[soups]

Chances are, the discount that you will offer for the finnish checking will be less than the price of having it refinished (this depends on the guitar and the overall value however). Price accordingly, disclose the checking, and see what happens. For Players, it will be a very slight to non-issue.

[abn556]

Another vote to leave it. Finish checking is something that you have to get used to on older guitars. Especially if you gig or travel with guitars.

[Charlie Bernstein]

As-is.

Refinishing devalues an otherwise original guitar. Collectors will never touch it.

Meanwhile, players feel that modifications, including refinishing, entitle them to lower prices. And they feel the same way about damage. So if and when you decide to sell it, lower it by the hefty price of refinishing and save yourself the trouble.

Plus, twenty years from now, who's going to care whether the checking happened twenty years ago or yesterday?

[jjbigfly]

Can one manufacture antiques? We do know that “look-a-like” instruments have a share of the market.

Think of relicked instruments like a AC Cobra “kit car.” Really cool, but not the real thing….
No, I do not see me buying one, but I don’t mind if you do.

[rollypolly]

I definitely wouldn’t have it refinished unless I knew that was the only way to sell it and get the most of my money back, and that’s if I was dead set on selling. Otherwise, let it be.

[Bowie]

Depends what you mean by high end. If it's a Gibson you won't get your money back in the sale. If it's something over 10k, best to sell it repaired as damage has a much greater impact on value as you go up in price.

[fireyrooster]

Thanks everybody! I'm gonna leave it be.

[Zissou Intern]

Originally Posted by fireyrooster

Thanks everybody! I'm gonna leave it be.

Great choice.

[LAPlayer]

Originally Posted by fireyrooster

....Opinions on finish checking on newer instruments?.....

It happens. Play on.