Bought a 2019 goldtop classic with weird checking

[Blossy]

Hi all, I’m new here! I just wanted to check with some people who might know more about this subject… I recently bought a gold top classic from 2019, used but from a retail store. Judging from the pics in the ad it looked perfect but when I got it (they sent it to me bcause it was far away) I realized it had some pretty heavy checking. I know a lot of people love that but to me… I mean it’s a 2019 guitar and it doesn’t look like natural aging anyway, more like someone tightened some screws too hard. I’m no expert on this but what would you guys say? They didn’t mention this in the ad and I’m not one of those guys who think checking is always a good thing.

 

[Blossy]

Here’s a pic, but there are more around every screw

 

[mdubya]

I have a 2015 Less Plus Goldtop with similar type checking around the knobs and bridge/tail piece. It was listed at a discount for that reason. I was all too happy to scoop it up.

I do not think it is anything that anyone did. I think there was a run of gold finish that was prone to this type of lacquer checking.

What was the question?

If you don't like it and they take returns, send it back.

 

[charliechitlins]

It happens around the holes due to buffing.
I think you were owed a heads-up that it's there.
Be prepared to hear, "A lotta folks pay extra for that, ya know, har har."

 

[dju]

I have a 2018 classic and 2011 deluxe goldtops and both have similar checking. Not sure why it happened. And it's only my goldtops that have ever done this. So I am guessing it's something to do with the gold paint.

 

[Blossy]

Thank you all for the answers. I’m not even sure what my question is, lol. I mean, I have ten days to return it and get my money back if I wish, but that’s not going to happen since it plays really great. And I bought it used which makes me a bit unsure if I can really say anything about it. I simply wasn’t expecting it from such a new LP and it wasn’t mentioned or visible in their pics.

It doesn’t bug me that much but I guess I was a bit afraid if it’s like that already what will happen in a few years? And yeah I know about that attitude towards checking on these guitars but personaly I think it’s rather ugly, even though it’s barely noticeble unless you look for it.

I think I’ll just ask the store and see what they say, it might even had happened when they sent the guitar to me.

 

[J T]

The "North" to "South" checking is common on goldtops. My 2000 R7 has them going out from the pickup screws and the tone and volume controls. There's some on the base of the neck as well.
Nothing to worry about.
Enjoy your guitar!

 

[charliechitlins]

Thank you all for the answers. I’m not even sure what my question is, lol. I mean, I have ten days to return it and get my money back if I wish, but that’s not going to happen since it plays really great. And I bought it used which makes me a bit unsure if I can really say anything about it. I simply wasn’t expecting it from such a new LP and it wasn’t mentioned or visible in their pics.

It doesn’t bug me that much but I guess I was a bit afraid if it’s like that already what will happen in a few years? And yeah I know about that attitude towards checking on these guitars but personaly I think it’s rather ugly, even though it’s barely noticeble unless you look for it.

I think I’ll just ask the store and see what they say, it might even had happened when they sent the guitar to me.

Tell them you were unpleasantly surprised.
Maybe they'll throw you a bone to kep you happy.
I think you deserve it.
It was a mistake, at least, and an omission, at worst.
Likely the latter.
Unless we now assume that everybody likes checking of every kind.
I'm getting old and come from an era when we tried to kep a guitar as nice as possible.
Many of us LIKED poly (GASP!) because it's so durable and looks so good for so long.

 

[Blossy]

I'm getting old and come from an era when we tried to kep a guitar as nice as possible.
Many of us LIKED poly (GASP!) because it's so durable and looks so good for so long.

Hehe, yeah I’m inclined to agree. I don’t mind a bit of wear and tear on guitars but I’m not really a fan of checking. And even though I had a Les Paul standard for 15 years or so (until it was stolen at a gig a few years ago), I’ve never thought much about it because that one didn’t have any. I just hope it won’t get much worse for a while if I take care of it.

 

[lure555]

I bought a GC exclusive 2018 GT Classic with a Bigsby. I kinda wish I had that checking.

 

[gmann]

The "North" to "South" checking is common on goldtops. My 2000 R7 has them going out from the pickup screws and the tone and volume controls. There's some on the base of the neck as well.
Nothing to worry about.
Enjoy your guitar!

This! Two of the R4’s I’ve had checked like this.

 

[garywright]

there’s plenty of gold tops that have checked vertically rather than horizontally

 

[Blossy]

there’s plenty of gold tops that have checked vertically rather than horizontally

I know that too. I guess my original question was about it had happened relatively soon. It’s just interesting because I know some people even try to make it happen (sometimes to no avail!) but for me I’m not a big fan of checking really. It doesn’t bug me too much either so far, but none of the LP’s I’ve previously owned did that.

 

[mdubya]

Here's the funny thing for me, and I am not trying to be a smartass; I spend way more time playing my guitars than I do looking at them. I am usually half way in a hurry, I will be pulling the guitar from its case with one hand and flipping the power switch on my rig with the other hand all while trying to land my butt in my chair as I sit down to play.

I do check the action and neck relief from a playing position if something is not quite right. I might admire the fretboard for a split second or think about how I should change strings or clean the fretboard before inspiration strikes and I am hammering out a riff or chord progression and thinking about how I might play something interesting over it for lead.

I don't notice the shade of pink/white/bone on the pickguard/pickup covers (P-90s)/binding.

I am often surprised by the smudges and marks and dings I have gathered when I do take a second to really look at the guitar.

I had the check the Less Plus to be sure it actually had the checking I thought I remembered it having before replying to this thread.

Other than the unexpected top carve, I don't hardly notice anything aside from how it plays and sounds.

The belly on the Less Plus with the checking visible.

 

[Blossy]

Here's the funny thing for me, and I am not trying to be a smartass; I spend way more time playing my guitars than I do looking at them. I am usually half way in a hurry, I will be pulling the guitar from its case with one hand and flipping the power switch on my rig with the other hand all while trying to land my butt in my chair as I sit down to play.

I do check the action and neck relief from a playing position if something is not quite right. I might admire the fretboard for a split second or think about how I should change strings or clean the fretboard before inspiration strikes and I am hammering out a riff or chord progression and thinking about how I might play something interesting over it for lead.

I don't notice the shade of pink/white/bone on the pickguard/pickup covers (P-90s)/binding.

I am often surprised by the smudges and marks and dings I have gathered when I do take a second to really look at the guitar.

I had the check the Less Plus to be sure it actually had the checking I thought I remembered it having before replying to this thread.

Other than the unexpected top carve, I don't hardly notice anything aside from how it plays and sounds.

The belly on the Less Plus with the checking visible.

 

[JASON510]

I purchased a new LP from SW and there are flaws in the finish. They are very noticeable. I wasn't as much bothered by the flaws, as it makes the guitar unique to me, but I was a little bothered they didn't tell me during their "55 point inspection." I called them about it and they agreed and offered me 10% back for what they say was a mistake for not letting me know.

If they claim it happened during shipping, then there's not much you can do about that. But if they did know about the checking, it seems a little shady that they didn't ask you if it was a problem. After reading this thread, it sounds like it could have been for some, no big deal for others.

 

[ScumbackSpeakers]

My 2017 Goldtop is doing the same type checking around the knobs. I think it's as simple as they changed the formula for the nitro lacquer and it checks in some strange ways.

 

[World's Worst Guitarist]

Some people are very fussy. In Noosa, they have gold tops for garbage bins ... and they like to keep em very clean (cratches and checking would very much be frowned upon).

 

[gitmohair]

At the end of the day the guitar was mis-described by the seller. If the OP isn't happy with it then that's his very reasonable call. He was expecting to get what he thought he'd paid for. In his situation I'd have sent the thing back. Whether or not some people like checking is really neither here nor there, surely. I like beer in general, but if I order a pint of bitter and get given lager then I'm quite within my rights to be miffed about it.