WTF: Laquer is cracking on my SR5??

[Rhythmbug]

Ok, on my 2004 SR5 the laquer is cracking at the neck joint and jack plug area.

I first noticed this last year but put it down to perhaps I just dinged it really bad.

But since it has gotten worse.
I fear my luthier may have tighten the neck bolts and jack too far....does that seem feasible? Otherwise I have no idea what is happening. Not a happy camper.

 

[Dr Stankface]

I think you may be right. Looks as if the screws had been tightened more than they really needed to be. I'm sure someone with more experience with this will jump in.

BTW: I'm no luthier and a teenager so don't listen to me.

 

[bovinehost]

I fear my luthier may have tighten the neck bolts and jack too far....does that seem feasible?

Not only feasible, but very likely. The jack plate is one thing - it's easy to bang a bass in that area. The neck plate, though, is - if I were forced to guess - the dead giveaway.

the I don't work for CSI but.....

Jack

 

[Steve Dude Barr]

I'm almost 48 and agree with the punk...

 

[Rhythmbug]

I feel that perhaps a manufacture or coating imperfection may have played a part in this......given that the lutheir in question is very experienced especially in building bass guitars. I just want to get my facts straight before I go back to him and say "Dude you f*cked my bass".

The setup was carried out probably 8 months after the bass was built.
Setup was done in summer (it gets damn hot) here.....I don't know whether the high temperature may have had a bearing.


I guess the next question is can the laquer cracks be repaired or does the bass need to be completely recoated??

 

[Figjam]

I wouldnt immediately point the finger at EBMM. I think any finish, given certain conditions , can crack.

 

[TSanders]

I feel that perhaps a manufacture or coating imperfection may have played a part in this......given that the lutheir in question is very experienced especially in building bass guitars. I just want to get my facts straight before I go back to him and say "Dude you f*cked my bass".

The setup was carried out probably 8 months after the bass was built.
Setup was done in summer (it gets damn hot) here.....I don't know whether the high temperature may have had a bearing.


I guess the next question is can the laquer cracks be repaired or does the bass need to be completely recoated??

Its really easy to point the finger at EB.

Now step back. How many incidents of laquer cracking have you heard about on EBMM basses? Me, a couple if not just yours.

Me thinks any paint job will crack if you get to crankin down on those screws hard enough.


IMO, whomever tightened those screws that tight, thats the direction Id be looking for answers.

 

[maddog]

Ask the guy if he torqued them down to factory spec.

 

[prickly_pete]

Although its beside the point, EB basses are not painted with laquer.

 

[Paul_C]

Is lacquer cracking due to over tightening of screws a recognised cause ?

Or is it that over-tightening causes a weakness which fluctuations in temperature or humidity then makes a crack appear ?

I could see how over tightening might possibly cause localised damage, but for it to spread like that some other factor must be involved, surely ?


P.

 

[bovinehost]

1. Is lacquer cracking due to over tightening of screws a recognised cause ?

I've seen it more than once over the years, and it certainly isn't limited to any one manufacturer. Also, we should pay attention to Prickly Pete - it's poly, not laquer.

2. Or is it that over-tightening causes a weakness which fluctuations in temperature or humidity then makes a crack appear ?

Minute cracks caused by overtightening or other kinds of stress can spread.

3. I could see how over tightening might possibly cause localised damage, but for it to spread like that some other factor must be involved, surely ?

Cracks in poly and other finishes tend to spread, just like a nick in your windshield may eventually turn into a long crack across the surface. Fluctuations in temperature can aggravate or speed up the process, to be sure.

the not an expert but very old,

Jack

 

[tommyindelaware]

u gots it jack..
thats finish checking.
while poly is alot more forgiving that nitro.......it's not immune to it.
typically caused by quick drastic temperature changes.
differnt expandsion & contraction times between wood & nitro..or poly is why it happens.
frequent $ extreme temperature changes will lend itself best to this issue.

1. Is lacquer cracking due to over tightening of screws a recognised cause ?

I've seen it more than once over the years, and it certainly isn't limited to any one manufacturer. Also, we should pay attention to Prickly Pete - it's poly, not laquer.

2. Or is it that over-tightening causes a weakness which fluctuations in temperature or humidity then makes a crack appear ?

Minute cracks caused by overtightening or other kinds of stress can spread.

3. I could see how over tightening might possibly cause localised damage, but for it to spread like that some other factor must be involved, surely ?

Cracks in poly and other finishes tend to spread, just like a nick in your windshield may eventually turn into a long crack across the surface. Fluctuations in temperature can aggravate or speed up the process, to be sure.

the not an expert but very old,

Jack

 

[Martuk]

I've often wondered if the lacquer on the MM is a bit 'fragile'? My white ray seems to pick up ding-cracks easily wheras my old MIM Jazz could go thro' hell n back without so much as a mark. Guess it doesn't matter too much - I sold the Jazz not the Ray. BTW at least I don't have to wax it once per week like the Warwick!

 

[Figjam]

Alright guys, time to read. Its not laquer.

My guess is the over tightening produced tiny little cracks. Change in temperature led to increasingly large cracks.

 

[Big Poppa]

Its all speculation without seeing it in the flesh, but you can probably bet that the luthier didn't find a need to torque down the jack screws. If I had to guess it was subjected to an extreme temperature either in shipping, aiplane or left in a hot orr cold room or trunk. Dont shoot either the luthier or EB yet.

 

[backagain1]

Has The Bass Experienced a Large Change in Temperature?

Ok, on my 2004 SR5 the laquer is cracking at the neck joint and jack plug area.

Has The Bass Experienced a Large Change in Temperature?

I have found out the hard way that cracks develop in the finish when the instrument goes through a big temperature change (e.g., from a cold car to a warm room, from a hot car to cool air conditioning, etc.) quickly.

Best wishes,

backagain1

 

[NorM]

Its all speculation without seeing it in the flesh, but you can probably bet that the luthier didn't find a need to torque down the jack screws. If I had to guess it was subjected to an extreme temperature either in shipping, aiplane or left in a hot orr cold room or trunk. Dont shoot either the luthier or EB yet.

<NorM eases hammer back down gently>

 

[backagain1]

I Second the Motion

Its all speculation without seeing it in the flesh, but you can probably bet that the luthier didn't find a need to torque down the jack screws. If I had to guess it was subjected to an extreme temperature either in shipping, aiplane or left in a hot orr cold room or trunk. Dont shoot either the luthier or EB yet.

I responded to the question in a different post without reading the entire thread. Then I ran across your post, which said almost the same thing. As I mentioned in my other post, I found out the hard way what temperature changes can do --- twice. Once on a Fender Strat and once on a classical guitar.

Always let your instrument acclimate slowly to temperature changes.

Best wishes,

backagain1

 

[Aussie Mark]

There's no reason at all for a luthier (or anybody for that matter) to touch the neck screws or the jack panel screws in order to do a setup, so I'd be surprised if the cracks were caused during setup.

 

[Big Poppa]

Aussie Mark..master of the obvious...

How was the golf game?