Headstock Veneer Shrink on L-5 CES Reverb Listing

[tomvwash]

Is this sort of thing common, per the seller's description and pics?


Just a moment...

[ThatRhythmMan]

This is extremely common. There is an overlay on the back of the headstock on the high end archtops. There was supposed to be a point at which these switched from wood to a plastic according to some. It’s definitely more common during the 90s and 2000s, but I’ve seen a lacquer line like this on guitars made in the 1950s also. People often worry that the headstock has cracked there, but it’s not structural.


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[tomvwash]

This is extremely common. There is an overlay on the back of the headstock on the high end archtops. There was supposed to be a point at which these switched from wood to a plastic according to some. It’s definitely more common during the 90s and 2000s, but I’ve seen a lacquer line like this on guitars made in the 1950s also. People often worry that the headstock has cracked there, but it’s not structural.


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Expertise on here time and time again. Thank you. Good to hear this. I steered another buyer to it.

[wintermoon]

I think it's a combination of veneer and a change in the lacquer formula.
OSHA's presence is felt in many finishes since they tightened the reigns.
As trm pointed out you'll see that type of crazing in some older instruments but it's way more prevalent in modern instruments, along w finish chipping on binding, etc

[guildx500]

What do people here think about the coloration on the body of that guitar?

[wintermoon]

What do people here think about the coloration on the body of that guitar?

looks normal to me, why?

[ThatRhythmMan]

looks normal to me, why?

I think they are referring to the yellow on the treble side of the back.




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[wintermoon]

I think they are referring to the yellow on the treble side of the back.




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yes, I didn't get that far w/ the pics, interesting.
fwiw I see the seller mentioned it in the listing.

[guildx500]

Yes that is what I meant. I doubt it left the factory that way so just curious about it and this is a knowledgeable bunch around here.

I think they are referring to the yellow on the treble side of the back.




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[Jimmy Mack]

Oh hell......I like the VOLUTE on my L5!

[skiboyny]

Yes that is what I meant. I doubt it left the factory that way so just curious about it and this is a knowledgeable bunch around here.

Something bleed into the lacquer. Maybe the previous owner had a yellow shirt on a played where it was warm. Maybe a gig bag with yellow lining. Doubt you will ever know for sure but it's there.

[Archie]

I doubt those composite veneers shrink. Isn’t it more likely that they crack the finish due to stiffness, in an area where there is the most flex/weakness? Or the wood around it shrinks? Which I doubt otherwise you would still have the same over all issues around the rest of the headstock.
Otherwise the whole veneer would have cracked all around the headstock making quite a mess and they don't do it on the top face of the headstock.

?

My Byrdland doesn’t have it and although only a sample of one, I wonder, if the above statement is right, perhaps the decreased tension in the Byrdland stops the cracking?