Scratch or crack

jpricewood · #1 12-31-2014, 08:26 PM

Hi Guys,
I'm a new member here and a regular member over at TDPRI. This forum helped me decide to buy a new D-15M yesterday. Today I noticed this blemish on the top shoulder of the guitar. I thought it was a scratch because it goes against the grain, but it feels like a raised ridge. I don't care about the blemish. I got a nice discount from a couple of other dings on the guitar and it plays and sounds amazing. I just don't want it to be a developing crack. Any advice would be appreciated. I'll try to get a better pic tomorrow.

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ukejon · #2 12-31-2014, 08:42 PM

I don't see a grain split.

Von Beerhofen · #3 12-31-2014, 08:46 PM

For me all I can see is perhaps a slight mark in the finish, more indicative of an abrasive touch. It seems unlikely to me that a crack will happen across the grain unless a lot of force is involved which will usually leave some visible dammage in the wood. In such a case the lacquer would show much more dammage along the grain then what I can see here, but it is a poor picture.
Try to take the next shot by having a reflection coming from that surface so people can get a better idea of the indentation, multiple angles will help too. For now it looks very superficial to me.

Ludwig

crikey · #4 12-31-2014, 08:48 PM

Maybe it's the pic, maybe it's my old eyes, but all see is a scuff.

Kip Carter · #5 12-31-2014, 09:06 PM

The picture isn't definitive at all... but you can determine this yourself really easy. Dark room... bright light inside the bout near the spot you're concerned about ... you will clearly see light flow though if it is a crack.. if not ... minor blem.

I can't see it in the picture.

jpricewood · #6 12-31-2014, 09:09 PM

You guys are correct that's it is barely noticeable. You can just obviously feel a raised ridge where it is. I'll try the light trick when I get home.

jpricewood · #7 01-01-2015, 11:21 AM

I did the flashlight trick and couldn't find any escaping light. I did see more buckle rash, but I was able to rub all of it off including the original blemish I posted about. I learned something today, because I didn't know satin finish was thick enough to have scuffs. Thanks for the help.

robj144 · #8 01-01-2015, 11:22 AM

What are we focusing on? The scuff?

jpricewood · #9 01-01-2015, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robj144

What are we focusing on? The scuff?

Yes. You can see a small line in the first pick that I could physically feel. I was dumb and didn't think satin finish could get scuffs. I thought satin was more of a stain that soaked in until I did some further research. Thus, I thought it could be a developing crack. I had an old, old guitar buckle around the bridge and the crack felt like this one. Anyways, it was nothing. I'm just still learning a lot about guitar maintenance.