Hi all, I just purchased a 1995 Am standard strat and when I got it I noticed the veneer has crack along the edge of the skunk stripe.
I live in a fairly remote part of Australia and the only way I could get it to a tech is by shipping it or driving for 3 hours, both of which I'm not too keen on.

Can anyone give me any ideas on a simple fix which doesn't require too much major surgery?

Thanks,

Scotti (pics below)

I think suffering the 3 hour drive is your easiest option. Is the split in the wood or just the lacquer? If its just the lacquer you could well repair it depending on your level of skill with the stuff.

With a repair like this pictures are always helpfull.

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No no and no

I think its just the lacquer by looks of it. Pics up on original post.

Yep its just the lacquer thats cracked caused by the walnut and maple moving at different speeds, no doubt because your in the hot lands.
I'm given to understand its quite a easy repair involving superglue of all things. Though ive never done it. No doubt one of the refinishing experts will be along later and advise you on your best course of action.

You may need to pay attention to where the guitar is kept now that its got a more caring owner. Keep it ought of sunlight and heat sources mate.

Great pictures btw.

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No no and no

Thanks for your help!

You might want to try going to www.stewmac.com and click on the link: free information. It's towards to bottom left of the home page. There you find a section dedicated to finish repairs and touch-ups. In fact, you might want to join their free mailing list for such tutorials and newletters.

It's the finish. You can have it repaired or just leave it be if it doesn't bother your hand.

Is the neck nice and straight? I ask because you see it looks as though it is just one side of the stripe. Wondering if its was wonkey or had a slight twist?

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

Yeah it looks and feels straight to me. Is there any sure fire way of checking other than looking down the headstock at it?

Am thinking about the super glue idea, maybe just pouring some in the cracks and then trimming it down with some wet and dry perhaps?

I think I'd sand down the back of the neck and swipe a little tung oil on it.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

If oyu want to repair the finish you want to wick some super glue(Cyanoacrylate,) into the cracks. But you need to either fond some water thin stuff, or thin it yourself. then you would wet sand it flat and polish.

But I would probably want to make sure there are no structural defects to the neck, so I would suggest you get a pro to look at it for you.


On the tung oil recommendation, I would add my 2 cents here too, If I were to tackle this, I would strip off all of the existing finish from the neck, (optionally, dye it amber,) and then work in some gun stock oil, Tru-Oil if you can get it, work it in in small amounts over small areas with your fingers until you get the colour tone you want then let it dry and presto great feeling and playing neck.

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

If it plays good I would not worry about it. The reason I asked about twist and such is because it looks as if the finish may have crack on the one side of the skunk srtipe because of the neck shape changing and braking free the one side of the stripe. Also the cause could be from a poorly fitted stripe.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

...it's on its way to becoming a well worn relic?

The picture clearly shows that the surface coat chipped and cracked. Why? It's along the seem. The seem moved. Either it bulged and cracked, shrunk and cracked, or both. Another possibility, there was too much along the seem, it sagged during dry, cracked, chipped.

Unless you know what you are doing, either ship it or bring it to a skilled luthier.

If that's how it arrived and this wasn't disclosed to you buy the seller...what to do? If he knew, he owes you. Those look old, not fresh. So...I think he knew.

Can you feel that when you slide up and down the neck?

Yeah its not really that noticeable so I think I'll leave it as is.
It will eventually fill up with my dead skin and other bacteria! haha

If I leave it can it get worse and damage the neck or something?

P.S. Thanks for everyones advice, I might take it with me next I go into the city and get a tech to look at it!