Superficial cracks?

[PunkKitty]

I have an opportunity to pick up a used 2000 535 at a very good price. The reason I am hesitating is because of some cracks that the seller described as "superficial" on either side of the neck. Do these look superficial to you? I'm kind of torn.

[Genericmusic]

Those don't look very superficial but definitely fixable. When you grab the neck do they flex? Is there movement in the neck? I would say it depends on how good of a deals your getting.

[StephenK]

Looks like someone sat on it. Save your money for the LW 150 on your want list. Don't let the GAS get to you.

[Vanschoyck]

I wouldn't say "superficial." I've seen cracks like that before on a cutaway rim, and it prompted warranty action and resulted in a replaced guitar.

[big bob]

No, run away!

[pegleg32]

That almost has to be into the block doesn't it? Also, what is the tape for, is that holding it together?

[PunkKitty]

Thanks for the input. I'm passing on this one.

[Polo]

Probably the smart move...how much did they want for it?

[PunkKitty]

Probably the smart move...how much did they want for it?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Heritage-H-535-Semi-Hollow-Electric-Guitar-Transparent-Cherry-w-OHSC-USA-H535-/361682212755?hash=item5435f09793:g:mR4AAOSwV0RXq1j2

[Polo]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Heritage-H-535-Semi-Hollow-Electric-Guitar-Transparent-Cherry-w-OHSC-USA-H535-/361682212755?hash=item5435f09793:g:mR4AAOSwV0RXq1j2

 

I see. Definitely a pass.

[brentrocks]

STEP AWAY FROM THE MOUSE

[TalismanRich]

If Heritage used a laminate rim like Gibson, it would probably be ok, but since they use a single piece rim, the crack could go all the way through. You did good by walking away, especially at that price. It doesn't look like a bargain to me.

[t0aj15]

$1300.00 is not a very good price even if it was perfect, and this one is far from perfect. I bought my 2002' 535 in 2004' for $1300 brand new (it hung on the wall at Joe's Music for two years) and it was/is in perfect condition. That means he probably paid a similar price back then and is trying to sell it for what he paid 16 years ago, including the cracks which I doubt were there when he bought it. I wouldn't even take a second look at this one.

[111518]

I have an opportunity to pick up a used 2000 535 at a very good price. The reason I am hesitating is because of some cracks that the seller described as "superficial" on either side of the neck. Do these look superficial to you? I'm kind of torn.

 

These "superficial" cracks look all too much like a well-know guitar affliction, ironically one that Heritage has done its best to quarantine.

 

Which gives me a scary thought ... after all, we all know that bad-engineering can nonetheless go viral...

 

(--imagine an appropriately ominous background fanfare--)

 

What if SG-ITIS found a way to jump guitar species?!! Would any set-neck be safe?!! Would only the screwed, not be screwed?!!

 

I don't know about you, but I'm closing cases and latching latches.

[Polo]

 

These "superficial" cracks look all too much like a well-know guitar affliction, ironically one that Heritage has done its best to quarantine.

 

Which gives me a scary thought ... after all, we all know that bad-engineering can nonetheless go viral...

 

(--imagine an appropriately ominous background fanfare--)

 

What if SG-ITIS found a way to jump guitar species?!! Would any set-neck be safe?!! Would only the screwed, not be screwed?!!

 

I don't know about you, but I'm closing cases and latching latches.

Care to provide some specifics to this ramble???

[111518]

Care to provide some specifics to this ramble???

 

Just an attempt at humor ... maybe because of the recent Zappa thread, and my thinking about what still holds interest for me in Zappa. And, of course, Zappa was known for playing SGs, and SG's are known for cracks, and this thread is about cracks.

 

So, what if SG-itis --a reference to the tendency of SGs to display stress cracks, or worse, around the neck joint-- really was a contagious disease that threatened to spread to all set-neck guitars?

 

Only the bolted would not need to bolt.

 

PS: I've always considered it a testament to the basic integrity of the instrument builders at Heritage that they would not make a SG-style guitar, even though I'm sure it would sell. So, seeing the SGish cracks on that 535 seemed particularly ironic.

PPS: I own an SG, and I like that SGs are light and have great access up the neck. Mine is set up for slide. It is an early 70's one with a thicker body that extends out to place the neck joint well away from the front pickup route. This model is significantly less appealing to collectors than the ones that more easily break. It nonetheless has stress cracks running out of the front pickup route.

PPPS: Who needs absurdist humor when the reality is that the same people (who, me?) who will obsess about the metallurgical composition of a truss rod cover screw will happily buy a design with a very high propensity to break in two.

 

Sorry if this is hijacking... the original point of thread seemed to have been addressed.

[schundog]

So, Larry, you are wise-cracking about guitar cracks, if I'm hearing you correctly.... Oh, and if your guitar's TRC isn't properly fastened with titanium screws, well, you simply don't know tone.....

[Genericmusic]

You guys crack me up.

[pressure]

Brian... Titanium screws are so last millennium. I replaced all the screws in my Heritage guitars with Inconel alloy. My Guitars are now very open an resonant. And just to get everything in one post I have solved the neck joint problem for SGs but Mr. Lamb still won't make one for me.

[buzzy]

can't have fish cracks without a whale joke

 

 

 

[ElNumero]

$1300.00 is not a very good price even if it was perfect, and this one is far from perfect. I bought my 2002' 535 in 2004' for $1300 brand new (it hung on the wall at Joe's Music for two years) and it was/is in perfect condition. That means he probably paid a similar price back then and is trying to sell it for what he paid 16 years ago, including the cracks which I doubt were there when he bought it. I wouldn't even take a second look at this one.

I bought my red 535 from a guy on Gbase for $1200. It had one small paint chip, so I got a screaming deal. Wish I had that one back too. Good thing you didn't let your emotions take over on that one Monica.

[tbonesullivan]

Yeah, if it was just along the joint lines, I wouldn't worry, because that's common. But with that kind of crack, it definitely makes me think it was dropped hard in the case.

 

 

SG itis? Yep, I would definitely say so. I STILL wonder why Gibson produces SG's with the original neck joint when they designed a much better one in the late 60s, which they only seem to put on the SG standard and special.