Finish crack???

lennonmegenon · Post by **lennonmegenon** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 5:36 am

Hi there,
Im new to this forum so go easy.I recently bought a 2004 620 fireglow from rics'r'us in England.
It plays and sounds great however i found a small hair line crack halfway down the back of the neck.
I dont think its the wood as You can feel it with your nail,also it doesnt affect tuning etc.Could it be the lacquer,finish.
I cant really pick it up with a photo as its so faint just like the faintest hair.
I would like to Know some opinions as I live in Northern Ireland and there aint many Ricks over here.

325_fan · Post by **325_fan** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 6:53 am

Welcome. Finish cracks are fairly common in Rics, and are basically caused by sharp temperature variations. I wouldn't worry about it unless the finish starts breaking off.

lennonmegenon · Post by **lennonmegenon** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 9:26 am

So it could'nt be the wood,it would move with the tension and tuning would be a nightmare??

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 10:30 am

If it's only a finish crack, and it's on the back of the neck, and you don't want to do a refin, dab some clear nail polish over it, and Let It Be.

A finish crack on the neck is no surprise--it's a foot and a half of long-grained hardwood that expands and contracts with each change in temperature and strings. It won't affect tuning in any noticeable way.

jps · Post by **jps** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 2:51 pm

Welcome to the forum Karl! I didn't know that there was a difference between Butcher/Musician!

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 1:42 am

Congratulations on the 620, Karl, and welcome to the forum. I've had my 620/6 for 10 days or so and I absolutely adore it!

I'm sure the crack in the finish is a very minor thing, but two suggestions: keep your eye on it and take heed of what's said here. There are plenty of forumites who know the score.

Northern Ireland, eh? My mother's birthplace - Belfast. I was over there in 2002 - magic place!!

Hope you continue to enjoy the 620 and your participation here.

Cheers......

lennonmegenon · Post by **lennonmegenon** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 6:47 am

Why the nail polish? will it fill it in?how do I apply it?

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 9:44 am

It's a clear lacquer, and the brush is in the cap. It's somewhat flexible and will keep the bare wood in the crack from absorbing dirt and moisture.

helterskelter · Post by **helterskelter** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 11:33 am

...that reminds me, Mike from rics r us still owes me £100 back after saying he would knock off £100 from the price for a slight scratch on a 4001C64. Paid full price and Im yet to see that £100....

Congrats on the 620 Karl and welcome to the forum

I like your choice of colour too

lennonmegenon · Post by **lennonmegenon** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 6:22 am

Could anybody Show a picture of a lacquer crack so I can compare?

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 6:38 am

Here's one I cribbed from FRETNOT's site:

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 9:13 am

Karl, a very warm welcome to the forum.

Alan, I have bought 5 or 6 gtrs from Mike in the past & he is without any doubt a very honest & genuine chap who is passionate about Rickenbackers. I am certain that if you contact him, all will be sorted....he's a good bloke!

lennonmegenon · Post by **lennonmegenon** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 7:45 am

Mine looks more like a thin Black hair and when you put pressure on the neck it opens a little.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 8:05 am

Picture, Karl?

If it's black, it's already getting dirt and moisture into the crack.

lennonmegenon · Post by **lennonmegenon** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 8:21 am

Im having trouble getting a picture as its so faint It goes across the neck about 1 cm across at the back of the neck right on top of a nice knot in the wood grain.If it was the wood would it crack the lacquer too???