Expert opinions on this Silo wanted

[TheBassGuy]

Well, I owned this guitar a couple of months ago. I bought it as being new. When it got home it was an unplessant surprise to see it in the shape it was in. Problems with the guitars finish mostly. Because I didn't know what it was, and because I paid too much for it, I send the guitar back. But now, months later, its still for sale at the shop, but at a much lower price!

It got me thinking. Maybe I should take those downsites for granted and enjoy this wonderfull playing guitar at such a nice price.

Before I go buy the guitar again I would like to have some expert opinions about the damages on this guitar. I made some pic's of it while I had the guitar.

A round thingy
http://benjaminr.net/silhouette/ronde_oneffenheid_lak.jpg

Stripes
http://benjaminr.net/silhouette/strepen_lak.jpg

Pickguard color round the lever
http://benjaminr.net/silhouette/verkleuring_slagplaat.jpg

Stress crack
http://benjaminr.net/silhouette/stress_crack.jpg

The thing is, next week i'll have enough money to buy a brand new guitar. So that's an option, or I would buy this one for even less than half the price. Because I don't know how serious the damages are I'm still in big doubt what to do.

What do you guy's think? What on earth can have caused this guitar to get into this shape?

The guitar is made in 2001 and sold as being new.

 

[GWDavis28]

Dude, the round thingy looks like someone touched up the paint.

The stripes I have no idea, but it maybe from the touching up.

The switch lever around the pg is common, it's just the finish from the switch lever, it happened to my AL too.

Stress cracks are common on EBMM, I have 5 guitars and 2 of them have them, as long as the paint isn't flaking off, don't sweat it.

Hope this helps, Glenn |B)

 

[Sub1 Zero]

I'm with Glenn (although I think we talked about this before). Get it man, repaint it if you have to

 

[beej]

They all look pretty minor. The "stripes"- I had a Luke that had the same thing. I'm sure it had been dropped at some point and thought it was stress in the finish. Didn't affect anything.

If it's at a good price, buy it and make it a player. You won't have to worry about damaging or cracking it and it probably plays like butter.

 

[Spudmurphy]

I can go out and get a second hand Albert Lee in 10/10 condition for almost half price.
I would expect you to be able to get a similar deal from forum guitars for sale.

That one seems to have quite a few little flaws - if the guitar plays/sounds like a dream and is below half price then you should consider getting it.

At least you won't sweat on getting a ding in it like I do with mine.

Offer the guy a silly offer and see if he bites? - just walk away otherwise.

 

[Lou]

All minor cosmetic issues. Think of it this way someone took the pain out of the first ding for you. The stripes could be finish shrinking into the grain of the wood. If it's discounted even better for you.

 

[candid_x]

If the crack by the bridge can't be felt with your fingernail, it's probably a little shrinkage in the alder wood beneath the finish. Strictly cosmetic, won't hurt anything. The other flaws look only cosmetic too.

It depends if you want to save some coin for a player or get a perfect one for twice the cost. But it doesn't look like anything to worry about, if the price is right. I'd first play it again and make sure you're happy with the way it plays and sounds. Then, go with your gut.

 

[TheBassGuy]

@Spudmurphy: I just mailed him for an offer, thanks for the advice!

@candid_x: The crack can be felt. It's like a tear.

You guys have a good point. It already has some damages, so it wouldn't be so terrible if i added one by accident (compared to a brand new guitar).

Well, i'll wait for the offer. If it's a great offer, i'm gonna go with it...

 

[Sub1 Zero]

I still think you should go with your SUB mod too

 

[fbecir]

I bought my Morse new in 2001. After 7 years of playing, there are much more marks than on your Silo (from 2001 also). For instance the saddle of the low E is really worn. The pickups are worn (I pick to hard ...), there are some marks on the body (the elbow ...). Just look at the pictures (the links are in my signature).
If you want to open a museum, don't buy it.
If you want to play with it, close your eyes, just hear the sound and feel the neck. If your fingers feel at home and your hears are happy, buy it !

 

[whitestrat]

A round thingy
http://benjaminr.net/silhouette/ronde_oneffenheid_lak.jpg - looks like a dent. could be caused by anything. Something rounded, and hard. The impact probably wasn't very hard though, hence no cracks. I see these mostly on Fenders with thin Nitro coats.

Stripes
http://benjaminr.net/silhouette/strepen_lak.jpg - This one looks like the paint has settled into the wood grain. More like how the air or water has seeped out of the wood, and the paint just sank in. Again, looks like the kind found on thin finishes on Fenders.

Pickguard color round the lever
http://benjaminr.net/silhouette/verkleuring_slagplaat.jpg - That's just discolouration from rusting of the 5 way switch. Small problem. Just change the 5 way and a new pickguard, and voila!

Stress crack
http://benjaminr.net/silhouette/stress_crack.jpg - This is normal. EVERY bolt-on guitar with age simply will have a crack there, but mind you, it's mostly the finish that's cracked. Not the wood.It could happen with age, OR someone actually removed the neck previously, or readjusted it. Not a major problem.

(my replies in bold)

If this guitar is as cheap as you say, these finish problems can be solved. Furthermore, it's black. easily restored.

 

[Dante]

that's where i bought my jp6. smooth talkers.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Some good replies here.
Just thought I'd add some more.
When Nitro celly is used it does have a tendency to sink - I don't expect that to happen so much with the finishes used these days.

The discolouration around the scratchplate does look like it is caused by rust - but I had the same problem and to put the record straight it was not rust.

I'm not gonna guess what caused it 'cos I really don't know?
Is it grease on the switch ? an interaction with the metal of the switch on the scratchplate just like sometimes when you have an iron block car engine with Ally or brass fittings - they seem to interact and "stick" together?

Let us know if he accepts your offer?

 

[TheBassGuy]

I bought it. I mailed the shop and asked for a nice price. They dropped it by another 100 bucks! (thanks for the tip Spud! ). So now i have a very nice Silo (only need's a new pickguard) for 700 euro's! (528 GBP ). The shop cleaned it all up, put new strap button's on it, and included a musicman case.

A new Silo cost's 1600 euro's here, i got this one for 700, so i saved 900 euro's.

I know the rule is to post pick's, but i rather wait until i have the new pickguard.

Thanks everyone for the advice!

 

[fbecir]

Congratulations !
So now, you have two Balls ...

 

[fbecir]

By the way, you have to change your signature now !

 

[TwAn]

Gefeliciteerd! Goeie beslissing!

 

[TheBassGuy]

@fbecir: Done! Thanks for pointing that out, I almost forgot it

@TwAn: Dank je