Player or Inspector?

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Biddlin

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Maybe it's because I never did much worry about small defects in the finish of my own guitars, I don't really go over a new addition to the stable with a magnifying glass. If I spot something while cleaning it and changing strings, I usually make a mental note and then stop thinking about it. I play the things and having been a tech and repairman for a living a couple of times believe "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
In another universe, someone has purchased a new MIA guitar and after stating that it plays and sounds great, is going to send it back because the nut doesn't look right. That's right, "LOOK." Even though a few commenters have pointed out that the low E string is perfectly placed so that it (and all of the other strings) crosses the center of all the pickups' pole-pieces, he obsesses, "The low E is closer to the edge of the fretboard."
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Now this pondering leads the fellow to further scrutinize his guitar, finding more glaring flaws'
"The ... other thing that came to my attention after scrutinizing the guitar tonight is that at the left side of the neck pocket, there is some very slight chipping at the sharpest edge of the neck pocket at the heel that has been touched up at the factory and which is visible upon close inspection." The pics below are close to original size.
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He concludes, "
Maybe that other poster is right. Maybe you do have to spend $5000."
Dude? Anyone else go over a good looking good playing guitar with a jeweler's loop to find fault?
 
I think that for such folk, a guitar is not primarily a tool. It is a necessary possession in order to gain entry into a club in which the owner wants to be a member. If that is the case, such considerations are very important. The Jones' are not just your neighbors anymore, they have joined your band, so keep up!!!
 
I saw that post in the other universe too Biddlin. You obviously read more of it than I did. I gave up reading after maybe half a dozen posts. RVA has hit the nail right on the head. Cheers
 
Biddlin said:
Dude? Anyone else go over a good looking good playing guitar with a jeweler's loop to find fault?
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No, not really. I mean, I do give the guitar a good looking-over to look for legitimate build issues.

I can find little non-critical things on just about every guitar I have, even the ones I acquired new. But, much like you, I make a mental note of it and move on. I usually forget about them, too. I really would rather play the thing!

This may strike some as a little weird, but I actually kind of like finding unique little oddities like that. I'm not talking about straight-up structural flaws. But, a little dimple here, a swirl in the fretboard there...things like that...these things make me feel like my guitar is a little more unique.

Here's an example of some "flaws" that some players would straight up reject. This is the ebony fretboard on my Taylor. There are two flaws, here. One, the ebony is more brown than black, and there is a small, blonde streak in the wood. However, I very much like my "flawed" Taylor and see these peculiarities as something that makes this guitar special to me.

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Oh my God!

I own a MiA strat of that very same series, played, jammed and gigged with it for about 3 years now, and never checked for any of these flaws! It looks and plays nice, until now I considered it my best gutar, so I never bothered.

What if it has such unacceptable flaws?! What am I going to do now?????

I hate you, Biddlin!




































:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:


P.S. If you don 't mind, please PM me with the place where you saw that thread, I really want to read the replies and laugh
 
DonP said:
I reckon if you want a guitar absent of any "flaws", don't buy one made from wood.
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That's the truth.

The really sad thing about ebony is that for every ebony tree that produces wood that is sufficiently black and streak-free to satisfy the aesthetic sensibilities of musicians, others are wasted. This is even more maddening when one considers that the tonal nature of the streaked, brownish ebony on even an acoustic guitar is no different than the black, streak-free ebony.
 
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smitty_p said:
Here's an example of some "flaws" that some players would straight up reject. This is the ebony fretboard on my Taylor. There are two flaws, here. One, the ebony is more brown than black, and there is a small, blonde streak in the wood. However, I very much like my "flawed" Taylor and see these peculiarities as something that makes this guitar special to me.

Click to expand...
I see those streaks as a perk that I would prefer if given an option. FYI, I have read (but not confirmed) that much of the ebony wood we buy is stained darker to give it that dark uniform appearance we have come to expect. If true, that is a shame - who wants a natural element that has been falsly homogonized?
 
I just quickly checked back on that thread in the other universe (hint, initials ST) & its now 8 pages long (I only read last post). The OP ends up saying something to the effect that the nut is nothing abnormal but still has a gripe about the tiny marks near the neck pocket. I'll bite my tongue. Cheers
 
One of the replies, regarding the low E string being - allegedly- too close to the edge of the fretboard:

- You said it played well - so what's the beef?

OP:

-I guess the consciousness of it not being technically right makes me feel as if I've been mistreated. Accepting obvious defects in a guitar at this level of pricing makes me feel like a chump who quietly takes his lumps.

Not being technically right? Obvious defects? And the guitar plays perfectly well and passes Fender USA's luthiers?


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American guitar companies should require a psycho-technical test from every customer who tries to buy a higher quality item. Or at least proof of at least 5 gigs.
 
if there not real (cracks) or (breaks)and only dinky little chips then play the damn thing. you think Jimi always checked for tiny chips or what fooking caps and pots where in his guitars ? or how did Page ever play that beat up ,fooked up,painted up Telecaster. now if your buying a new guitar it should look pretty good with out no big chips or cracks but hell i can even see the ones Biddlins showing. Play it is my vote
 
People are the same with anything really. Instruments, automobiles, firearms, fine art, you name it. There are those with buckets full of cash that buy über expensive guitars and do so ONLY to impress themselves in the eyes of others. When they complain frankly I find it both sad and hilarious at the same time. Yet being poor, I work with what I've got. Example : I had a "need" for a Strat shaped object and bought a Fender Starcaster in poor shape. Major large splits in the finish (maybe deeper) front & back, gouges, smears, dents, and broken off trem bar in block. Got $50 in it. Betcha I sound better than ole "Picky-Boy" does!
To quote Gary Farmer; "Stupid f'ckin whiteman.":pound-hand:
 
They all have flaws, regardless of price. I do notice the little "issues" but I don't worry about them. They make the instrument unique I guess, like birth marks.
 
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