Who else loves their finish checking? Nitro baby!

[BigAlTheBird]

I don't have any great pics, but *darn* I think the finish checking on a guitar is about the best thing in the world. It shows age, it shows superiority, it shows wear and tear and usage, it gives the guitar so much character. I'm not sure anything gives a guitar more character.

What prompted this is that when I bought my Gibson 7 months ago, I got it and it was already checking all over the place, but only in certain spots (especially by the knobs). But as I've been playing it, and as the humid weather has been getting to it, it's been checking more and more lately. I think the biggest smile I've had in weeks was when I found a new little line last night! I'm sure that sounds stupid, but whatever.

I feel bad for all the kids who aren't buying used guitars and who are getting all this poly crap. Me no like poly. Takes away some of the character.

Who else is with me? I really wish I could find a great pic, you all feel free to post them.

[big_black]

My Tele body came with checks all over it even thought the finish was almost brand new. I think it was from being shipped in the cold and a lack of plasticizers in the finish. They are only visible at an extreme angle. The nitrocellulose on my aluminum-necked is not checked at all. It's really thin and just wore off or sunk in. It looks like a buffed-out clear Faded finish.

[lex666]

I'm with you buddy. Checking adds mojo!

None of my nitro babies have started to check yet, but they're showing some serious signs of wear and age. I like that. Its like my thumbprint on it that says it was made just for me. My white Gibsons are even starting to change into a yellowish, kinda vintage color. I have 3 in white that I bought at different times so if you compare them, you can realy see the color difference. Very cool NATURAL mojo!

[cream123]

the barclay is in such bad shape, there is not place that it's not checked.


btw, I recieved it in horrible condition. My best guitar and I payed $75 for it.

[MikeS]

It's fine so long as it's natural. None of my lacquered instruments are checking yet, but I won't panic they day they do. I don't expect them to "weather" very quickly because aside from the occasional transport (which is always in a hard case) I keep their environment fairly stable. The Studio has been showing signs of regular use for some time.

My Warmoth neck checked in transport, though poly checks a little differently than nitro. Because it's a new guitar I decided to strip their finish and apply my own. I only sort of regret it right now. I may not regret it at all once done, who knows.