Have you ever seen this? Laquer around neck-pocket ...

[Meypelnek]

Hi there,

just purchased a great looking Honeyburst MN Sterling 4H. I saw it has some finish issue around the neck pocket, but did not care a lot - it just sounds and feels right. However, I am curious, what's the issue here.

It seems like there is a small gap between the clear lacquer and the basic finishing around the neck-pocket and obviously air and other particles (e.g. oil and wax) entered that space.

What would you do about it? My idea is to seal that gap with superglue.

Thanks and cheers

 

[Rick Auricchio]

I don't see what you mean.

 

[Meypelnek]

First picture. Looks like a halo around the neck-pocket.

 

[bassmonkeee]

What would I do?

Put the neck back on and leave it alone.

 

[Movielife]

Is it new? Email customer service

That grain is beautiful.

 

[keko]

What would I do?

Put the neck back on and leave it alone.

This!!!

 

[tbonesullivan]

interesting. I've seen finish lift but usually it turns more white than anything else. though, the area around the screw where it is darker definitely is consistent with the clear coat having lifted. Any idea what the history of the bass is? Was it exposed to a ton of moisture and/or lemon oil?

 

[Rick Auricchio]

On closer inspection, it looks to me like it was refinished and the neck was in place during the spraying. Perhaps the finisher just masked the neck. The lighter areas seem consistent with the fingerboard "shadowing" the body and causing underspray.

 

[tbonesullivan]

That's a really interesting theory. Probably best to check the serial number with EBMM in the serial number thread to see what color it shipped out as.

I can't see why someone refinishing it would leave the neck on though. that just makes lots of extra work.

 

[Golem]

That's a really interesting theory. Probably best to check the serial number
with EBMM in the serial number thread to see what color it shipped out as.

I can't see why someone refinishing it would leave the neck on though. that
just makes lots of extra work.

If it were refin'd with clear coat and a bead or lip formed at the inner edge
of the neck pocket [as would typically happen with a spray finish], then if
you neglect to shave off that bead of finish and just "firmly ease" the neck
into the pocket, the clear coat could pop away from the base coat due to
the pressure at the edge.

 

[Andreas.K.]

I have the same kind of "halo" at the neck-pocket of my 30th Anniversary-Ray. You have to get really close to the instrument to see it (can´t even really take a picture of it), but seems to be the same problem.

 

[Tollywood]

"No" to the superglue idea.

 

[njhammer]

"No" to the superglue idea.

This^

 

[Rick Auricchio]

I can't see why someone refinishing it would leave the neck on though. that just makes lots of extra work.

Good point. Perhaps the refinisher just screwed on a hunk of scrap wood as a "handle," e.g. a 2x4, and it was taller than the neck pocket?

 

[WillyD]

Hi there,

just purchased a great looking Honeyburst MN Sterling 4H. I saw it has some finish issue around the neck pocket, but did not care a lot - it just sounds and feels right. However, I am curious, what's the issue here.

It seems like there is a small gap between the clear lacquer and the basic finishing around the neck-pocket and obviously air and other particles (e.g. oil and wax) entered that space.

What would you do about it? My idea is to seal that gap with superglue.

Thanks and cheers

View attachment 24028 View attachment 24027

Looks like a delamination. Are you the original purchaser or did you buy it used?

 

[Meypelnek]

Hi thanks to all for their input.

The body was not refinished, that's for sure. I can spot the same "halo" around the two bolts of the 3-way-switch. It must be some chemical reaction that is lifting the clear coat. The problem was that moisture was creeping between clear coat and basic finish and that this obviously progressed the lifting what in turn has caused two crackles around the neck-pocket. At this point it would have been very easy to strip the lacquer just by using a hammer!

And, no, I did not buy it new. I bought it (obviously) used. It's DOB is 07 Aug 2007. Most interestingly: the seller could prove with a photo taken 2009 in the guitar store that the halo was already there in the first place. (So much for the "quality-check" of the German wholesaler.)

A luthier nearby filled the gaps with (yes!) superglue, sealed it, sanded the edges and polished it. Now the problem seems to be fixed as I am no longer worried to break off pieces of lacquer. However, he could show me that the problem was not only on the top of the body but also on the backside of the neck-pocket where a "huge" air bubble had formed beneath the clear coat.

 

[Gravesend Black]

Did you check your serial # at http://forums.ernieball.com/music-m...an-serial-number-database-572.html#post935720 ? The seller may tell anything to sell his stuff)

 

[Meypelnek]

Checked here in the forum. AJ responded.

 

[Movielife]

Hope it works out ok. It may well have had some damage or even been left in damp conditions for something like that to happen. A shame....but enjoy.

 

[uOpt]

The body was not refinished, that's for sure. I can spot the same "halo" around the two bolts of the 3-way-switch. It must be some chemical reaction that is lifting the clear coat. The problem was that moisture was creeping between clear coat and basic finish and that this obviously progressed the lifting what in turn has caused two crackles around the neck-pocket. At this point it would have been very easy to strip the lacquer just by using a hammer!

It isn't moisture. Sometimes pieces of wood just reject the paint. Nobody I give credit to has ever given a good explanation for it, but it seems to be in the lumber, not some mess from handling it later in the factory.

You did the right thing (and I would have recommended it if I had seen your post before). The flake-off can become very widespread and you should put the first pieces in place with whatever it takes.

I wouldn't have sent it back to Music Man. Their only option would have been a replacement body, and that would be insane if you are happy with sound and look otherwise.