Do scratches and dings on top surface affect the guitar sound?

[immandoo]

I am considering about buying a used martin acoustic electric guitar.
The only problem is that most used gear has scratches and dings on the top surface.
Do scratches and dings on top surface affect the guitar sound seriously?

[Ed422]

If you can see through them, there is a good chance they do.

[moon]

Not at all. A crack which runs right through the depth of the wood might but minor scratches and dents will be fine, acoustically.

[Broadus]

Originally Posted by immandoo

I am considering about buying a used martin acoustic electric guitar.
The only problem is that most used gear has scratches and dings on the top surface.
Do scratches and dings on top surface affect the guitar sound seriously?

First welcome to AGF. It's good to have you here.

Second, scratches and dings on the top will not affect sound. I doubt it affects it if tested with sensitive equipment, but I'm sure human ears cannot tell a difference.

Third, plenty of used guitars have no noticeable scratches and dings. I bought my 2005 Martin used from a guy in Denver last July, and the guitar was almost immaculate, and he had bought it used.

Enjoy the search and, to me, buying used is the way to go.

Best,
Bill

[Alberto]

Yes, wear and tear = mojo = tone! buy it an get a little chicken grease on it too.

[franchelB]

And I'd say the scratches and dings add "character" to the guitar...not the sound.

[skatalite]

Originally Posted by franchelB

And I'd say the scratches and dings add "character" to the guitar...not the sound.

I agree with this a ton.

[Grenvilleter]

The old lads used to tell me a crazed finish made a guitar sound better. Believe me, up here in cold country, when I was a kid 40 yrs ago, there were so many old Gibsons and Martins with crazed finish, I thought they came that way from the factory.

[immandoo]

Originally Posted by Grenvilleter

The old lads used to tell me a crazed finish made a guitar sound better. Believe me, up here in cold country, when I was a kid 40 yrs ago, there were so many old Gibsons and Martins with crazed finish, I thought they came that way from the factory.

sounds very interesting.

[Wade Hampton]

Originally Posted by immandoo

I am considering about buying a used martin acoustic electric guitar.
The only problem is that most used gear has scratches and dings on the top surface.
Do scratches and dings on top surface affect the guitar sound seriously?

Nope.


whm

[Jeff M]

As Wade said, nope.

[jeepnstein]

Originally Posted by Alberto

Yes, wear and tear = mojo = tone! buy it an get a little chicken grease on it too.

You might laugh. I was playing last night and couldn't figure out why my guitar felt so good in my hands. The neck was just really comfortable. You guessed it. We had fried chicken for dinner and I was a bit negligent in washing up before picking up my guitar.

[Glennwillow]

If the dings are really bad, they might cause the top to "compress" a little.

- Glenn

[CoffeeGuitar]

Originally Posted by skatalite

I agree with this a ton.

completely agree

a few dings and scratches add character to the appearance and if you know how and when you got them if gives your guitar a good history

may sound like a load of bull but i believe forming a relationship with a guitar is crucial to get the best from it

[Roman]

I'd ask Willie Nelson . . .