What would cause this kind of finish issue?

[320capt]

I was looking at this 360/6 V64 on ebay and was wondering what would cause this kind of a finish issue. It looks to me like the finish pooled after spraying? Which does not seem likely coming out of the factory.

[paologregorio]

It looks to me as thought the finish on the neck had a chemical reaction with something it was in contact with or in very close proximity to.

[winston]

Probably a reaction to something applied to clean or polish the guitar would be my guess.

[scotty]

looks like a crack caused by lifting and the paint finish has been rubbed of.Not a great pic. to fully see whats happening.I dont think it is due to a silicone reaction.

[jingle_jangle]

It's not primarily a paint issue--the paint chipping off is a symptom. Seems to be a fretboard separation. Then air got under the varnish and it chipped away, possibly with the assistance of a too-curious owner.

[320capt]

So, probably not a "best buy" at $2495.

At least they are being honest with the pictures and description.

I gather that a fret board pop like that happens from adjusting the truss rods too much?

Which is why I shouldn't be adjusting mine and leave it to a tech?

[jingle_jangle]

It's not easy to diagnose 100% from a small photo. That was my guess on what was causing the issues.

Fret board pop usually happens at the headstock end, but this does look suspiciously like it.

A non-Rick tech (and 99% of them aren't Rick techs out there in the guitar hinterlands) is just as likely to pop is as a newbie owner. Maybe more so, due to tech hubris. It's as common as rubbin' sauce and nut grease.

[deaconblues]

It's as common as rubbin' sauce and nut grease.

Hehehe

[320capt]

Here in the desert my Rick necks seem to need an adjustment about every quarter as the temps change. Right now my three month old 660/12 AFG is way out (near unplayable on the higher frets).

I have a RIC dealer downtown that I go to have the necks tweaked but I have been contemplating trying to do that my self. Otherwise with a family of four I'll be going downtown every other month - which is not a bad thing I suppose, as long as I leave my credit cards at home. However, without any training or experience I am really concerned about causing a pop like seen in these pictures.

I have read all I can find on this forum about it and the key seems to be to do small 1/4 turn adjustments or less and let that be for a few days to set in before doing anymore adjustments (if needed)?

Also, the clockwise or counter-clockwise turn on the truss rod, as needed, is as seen from the front of the guitar when looking at the fret board - right?

[jps]

However, without any training or experience I am really concerned about causing a pop like seen in these pictures.

That should not be an issue with the new style rods you have in your 660/12. However, it seems that issue has been traded off for the one of the acorn nuts at the heel end of the neck to sink into the wood causing other problems. This has been documented, but can be solved with removing the rods and coating that area with superglue to harden the wood and prevent this from occurring.

[320capt]

I have read about that and hope that's not the case!

I have not had it adjusted since I got it in January so hopefully the neck just needs a truss rod tweak. That seems to be the way it goes with my Ric's. It takes a few months and a couple of adjustments before the neck acclimates and becomes stable. My local RIC dealer told me to expect that and so far it has been true.