Seeking advice on Tacoma D-40 with slight damage

[droach274]

Hi,

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... TQ:GB:1123

The descrption says :

*I have noticed that there is an indentation on the side of the guitar (see pic) which follows the grain in the wood it seems to be where the lacquer finish has sunk into the wood. There is no actual damage to the wood or the finish at all, no cracks, scuffs, scratches, dings etc.. just the indentation. This is purely a cosmetic issue and does not affect the sound of the guitar. However due to this lowered the starting price considerablely.*

I'm thinking of bidding on this but I wanted to ask your advice about whether I should be worried about this indentation? I'm not very experienced at buying acoustics so I don't know if there is anything to read between the lines here. Could this have any negative long term side-effects? Cosmetic I could care less about but I don't want to inherit any issues that will cause long term headaches.

Thanks.

 

[jckgrms]

I'm no expert, in fact I'm a new guy, but I find it interesting that the only blurry picture is the one of the damage.

Jim

 

[GardMan]

The photo is a more than a little blurry... don't know if he forgot to turn on the macro setting in his camera, or the autofocus just didn't have enough contrast to work with. That said, it doesn't look like a crack in the wood to me. My '72 D-35 has a little inward pucker in the side like that right at its waist, where the wood bends inward. Every once in a while, the light catches it, and my heart stops for a minute... I look, oh... it's OK.. Other than that, it hasn't been a problem in 36 years.

If you can get an approval period, and bid/win... look inside the soundhole with a flashlight (and mirror, if need be) when it arrives, and see if you can see any evidence of it on the inside... or take it to your local luthier for an inspection, to set your mind at ease.
Dave

 

[coastie99]

BIN seems very friendly, considering the MSRP.

I don't have personal experience with Tacoma-built acoustics, but they get great press here. Some claim Tacoma quality to be the best ever.

Seller has a lot of transaction history, and a 100% reputation to uphold. I'd say he's representing the case pretty well.

I believe that I'd do it. At that price, someone is sure going to !

 

[jckgrms]

I have a Tacoma built D-40 and I love it. And (this is heresy around here) it sounds better than my Westerly built D-50. Of course I may just like the mahogany sound better than rosewood.

 

[FNG]

Most of the pics of D40 Bluegrass Jubs seem to be a really high gloss. The back on that one almost looks like satin. Notice the difference between the neck and the body?

 

[droach274]

Most of the pics of D40 Bluegrass Jubs seem to be a really high gloss. The back on that one almost looks like satin. Notice the difference between the neck and the body?

Good call. Now you mention it, almost all the other BGJ pics have had shiny/glossy looking backs. I'm not sure what it means, could just be a trick of the light in the photo.

Can any BGJ owners out there confirm if the guitar has a back which looks glossy or satiny?

Cheers.

 

[coastie99]

I'd assumed from the photographs, that the top back and sides are a matte / satin finish.

Guild site indicates nitro-cellulose, high-gloss finish. No optional satin finish mentioned.

 

[jckgrms]

Can any BGJ owners out there confirm if the guitar has a back which looks glossy or satiny?

Glossy. All around.

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

You should request more and better pictures.
Ask about the finish to.
You need to get all the information that you can before buying it.

 

[redhawks2]

My D40 BGJ from Tacoma is full gloss, top, back and sides.

 

[Scratch]

Been playing my Tacoma D40 Richie quite a bit lately. Absolutely love it; IMO, Tacoma's are keepers...

 

[Scratch]

Bidding ended early with BIN. Score roach?

 

[droach274]

Bidding ended early with BIN. Score roach?

Yup, I decided to pull the trigger 8) The seller sent me some very detailed photos of the problem which does look cosmetic, fingers crossed. I will make sure and closely examine when it arrives just to make sure. Also he sent me some photos showing the gloss on the back which look like you would expect (very shiny) and explained that the lack of gloss on the oroginal back photo was a deliberate shot he had taken to illustrate the grain of the wood and that he had discared a lot of other photos because they were so glossy that all you could see was a glossy blur showing a reflection of him taking the photo

Anyway - now it is just a waiting game until it arrives and double crossing my fingers that the couriers don't trash it ... I'll let you guys know how I get on.

Thanks for all the great feedback, as always.

 

[Graham]

Congrats Dr Oach.

 

[FNG]

Bidding ended early with BIN. Score roach?

Yup, I decided to pull the trigger 8) The seller sent me some very detailed photos of the problem which does look cosmetic, fingers crossed. I will make sure and closely examine when it arrives just to make sure. Also he sent me some photos showing the gloss on the back which look like you would expect (very shiny) and explained that the lack of gloss on the oroginal back photo was a deliberate shot he had taken to illustrate the grain of the wood and that he had discared a lot of other photos because they were so glossy that all you could see was a glossy blur showing a reflection of him taking the photo

Anyway - now it is just a waiting game until it arrives and double crossing my fingers that the couriers don't trash it ... I'll let you guys know how I get on.

Thanks for all the great feedback, as always.

Sweet! Hope it is a good one.

 

[coastie99]

Well done that man !