Opinions needed...neck pocket crack

Aahzz

Aahzz

Habanero Evangelist
I've been offered a 60th Anniversary USA Deluxe Strat in trade...looks to be in overall good shape and has the case candy/etc...but in the pics, he said it has "the normal strat neck pocket paint crack". He sent a pic, and I'm thinking it looks deeper than a finish crack...he's far enough away that I want to get as much info as I can before driving to meet, so here's the pic, I appreciate your input. Resale is key here, as I'm considering the trade because the Strat will hopefully be easier to move for cash than the PRS S2 Custom 22 with upgrades that I'm trading. Thanks!
PXL_20220530_000756549.jpg
 
I have inexpensive guitars with a hair crack but that one is like big foot hair. I have also repaired one that I changed the finish on where I stripped it, spread the crack in the body, glued and clamped it down. That crack wasn’t as big as the one in your picture.

My view is if you go for it low ball the hell out of it. Then when you think you got the best deal ever hit him again because when you sell it you’re going to receive the same treatment.
 
I'm on the fence. Paint cracks aren't usually that long... but some Fender finishes are on the thicker end and are hard, so they might egg-shell like that once in a while.

Like Rev said... pop the neck off... then I use a really bright light... put it in the neck pocket and see if I can get any glimpses of the light when I fuss with the area.

If it is a light crack, you can probably separate the area a bit, work some CA or thinned wood glue into the crack, clean up any surface press out, and worst case scenario, level the outside of the crack with CA or a tiny bit of epoxy with a pin or toothpick application. The repaired area can be stronger than the surrounding wood, especially since 99% of the strat structure is in the areas where the flat part of the neck comes into contact with the bottom of the pocket. I'm far more concerned with too small of neck screws, or sloppy/loose holes that allow the neck to wiggle (which may have caused that in the first place).
 
baimun said:
I'm on the fence. Paint cracks aren't usually that long... but some Fender finishes are on the thicker end and are hard, so they might egg-shell like that once in a while.

Like Rev said... pop the neck off... then I use a really bright light... put it in the neck pocket and see if I can get any glimpses of the light when I fuss with the area.

If it is a light crack, you can probably separate the area a bit, work some CA or thinned wood glue into the crack, clean up any surface press out, and worst case scenario, level the outside of the crack with CA or a tiny bit of epoxy with a pin or toothpick application. The repaired area can be stronger than the surrounding wood, especially since 99% of the strat structure is in the areas where the flat part of the neck comes into contact with the bottom of the pocket. I'm far more concerned with too small of neck screws, or sloppy/loose holes that allow the neck to wiggle (which may have caused that in the first place).
Click to expand...

Agree with this approach if I wanted a player to keep, but if your goal is to flip it I wouldn't bother.
 
I’ve seen a ton of Strats with cracks like that around the neck pocket. And usually with the white/vintage white finish. If you’re just trying to flip it pass, but if you want to keep it, I’d grab it.
 
Pass. If you're going to flip it you have to convince the buyer it's a minor issue.
 
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