What are these weird Scratches through my binding?

[Ehint4]

It's hard to describe but i know its not dye because its rough just like a deep scratch. Its the same color as the guitar and its becoming more and more noticeable as time goes on. It's hard to see in the photos but its started to run along the binding. Its almost like the binding has just been painted on and the scratches are revealing the undercoat color, this is odd because i don't think that's how binding wears. I've looked around for an answer and couldn't find anything and i'm sure its a genuine Gibson as it originally started off as a body and neck i bought from the Stratosphere store.
Anyone know what this is?

 

[El Gringo]

It could just be finish checks due to overly dry conditions . I am in a cold climate winter time now and run 2 humidifiers to protect against finish damage and also necks going out of alignment from when the seasons change and heat gets turned on and then it dries the air inside your home . Also my instruments are kept on stands so to breathe and get the regulated humidity which is recommended to be kept between 40% -50% humidity for ideal conditions . Believe it or not this matters to properly care and maintain your stringed instruments and is also good for your skin as well .

 

[56lp]

Since the guitar was purchased as a body/neck from the Stratosphere store, could it possibly have some defects? Perhaps there was some scratches in the binding and the clear lacquer is now "sinking" into the scratches, making the scratches now visible.

 

[Ehint4]

It could just be finish checks due to overly dry conditions . I am in a cold climate winter time now and run 2 humidifiers to protect against finish damage and also necks going out of alignment from when the seasons change and heat gets turned on and then it dries the air inside your home . Also my instruments are kept on stands so to breathe and get the regulated humidity which is recommended to be kept between 40% -50% humidity for ideal conditions . Believe it or not this matters to properly care and maintain your stringed instruments and is also good for your skin as well

I guess it could be the humidity especially considering where i live is scorching hot all the time and i have to constantly turn on my AC. I still don't know why the scratches appear as red rather then the same color as the binding. I haven't seen anything like this on binding before. I wonder if it has something to do with my sweat because it appears in that kind of area that your arm makes contact with.

 

[Ehint4]

Since the guitar was purchased as a body/neck from the Stratosphere store, could it possibly have some defects? Perhaps there was some scratches in the binding and the clear lacquer is now "sinking" into the scratches, making the scratches now visible.

There were no defects when i got the body/neck. I think if it was the clear lacquer it wouldn't appear as the same reddish color as the guitar. I think the scratches themselves have developed over time as it has aged which by itself isn't unusual IMO however the difference in color almost makes it look like the binding is slowly scratching off. It just makes it a little harder if i want to sell it down the line especially considering it didn't come as a complete guitar.

 

[DutchRay]

It looks like the clear coat is wearing off and some grime is getting stuck on the edge of clear-no clear.

 

[El Gringo]

I guess it could be the humidity especially considering where i live is scorching hot all the time and i have to constantly turn on my AC. I still don't know why the scratches appear as red rather then the same color as the binding. I haven't seen anything like this on binding before. I wonder if it has something to do with my sweat because it appears in that kind of area that your arm makes contact with.

This makes a lot of sense as the problem area is where your arm makes contact . We all sweat and when we handle our instruments you can tell where your arm comes into contact . It happens with me and in the warmer weather it's where my right arm /elbow makes contact . Most of the time I just gently wipe it after playing with a super soft cotton towel . I wish I could be more helpful.