I have a small scratch on the front of my strat just above the input/output jack (it isn't very deep) Is there an easy fix for this, or should I just live with it. I ask because this guitar is black and the scratch stands out. I've seen alot worse, but then again they were older Strats, and had seen alot of use. This is from a kid that bought it to learn to play, and then decided it wasn't for him. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Lile

That's a tough call. Surely, someone can fix it to probably undetectable. But whether or not to fix a scratch is always a tough call. If the guitar is a new model and never likely to be a collectable, you might want to fix it so it doesn't bother you. However, if it is a collectable guitar, you might be reducing the value by repairing it. Certainly this would be the case for a vintage guitar. Some people learn to love the battle scars if they hold onto the guitar for a long long time. It's your call of course. If you decide to have it touched up, choose a reputable place. I had a Les Paul repaired via Gibson (who does any type guitar). The headstock was broken off at the corner. I have to say the repair is virtually impossible to detect. So good repair people are out there.

Good luck!

Just leave it be. Gives the guitar character.

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

I understand battle scars, but this is fairly new and a llittle hard to accept. I was hoping there was a simple little fix and I could move on. This isn't a vintage ax and it surely isn't a collectible, it's a 2000 MIM model.
Again Thanks,
Lile

I have to agree. A scratch gives it character. Even if it is a small scratch
like this one.

Lillie,
I understand the first scratch is always the one someone may shed a
tear over. After that it gets easier to deal with.

Black super glue
http://www.stewmac.com/shopby/item/0020-B

Depends on how bad it is and what is exposed underneath (how about a photo?)

Basically you clean the area add wood back or color if it needs it and slowly drop fill black super glue into the scratch and build it back up. Then you let it cure and scrape the excess away being careful not to gouge the finish. After that a bit of fine sanding and polishing.

Go here and read this.
http://www.stewmac.com/tradesecrets/ts0 ... rfill.hzml

Could cost you as cheap as $25 doing it yourself. But waste of time and money repairing as eventually there's always another scratch around the corner waiting to happen.

I knocked a chunk of black paint out of a new black Les Paul custom and used auto touch up paint from my black Chevy pickup.....you can still see where it is but the touchup paint is going strong after 33 years!

You could dye a littel wood filler to match the shade of black. Put some wax around the edges to prevent build up. Another option is to dye the wood and fill it in with superglue. Wax is still necessary as filler or superglue won't stick to the body....

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If it's just into but not through the clear, use some DuPont No. 7 polishing compound on a damp terry cloth to rub it out with your fingertip. Follow that with some finer polishing compound like McGuiar's paint restorer or 3M Finesse-It. Finish it off with an extra fine compound like 3M Perfect-It.

Ba-da-boom! Scratch gone!

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If it's only bothering you because of the visual appearance... just dab it with a skinny black sharpie. That will conceal it from view and it won't be as noticeable.

+1

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GUILD GUITARS: MADE TO BE PLAYED!

Well, I understand your point; and I agree with you -- but COME ON, that is totally ridiculous!

And is that a hole in the guitar?

(I'm a fan of the writing though...)

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THAT is Willy Nelson. "COME ON" is not in his vocabulary. That's real MOJO there.

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