Used Guitars and Cracks

[Taylor Martin Guild]

As I watch the Ebay adds, many of the guitars seam to have repaired cracks, or small cracks that can easily be fixed.
I have 3 guitars that are over 20 years old and no cracks on any of them. Not even finish checking.
Why are so many of these older guitars cracking?
Is it poor care of the guitar, or am I just lucky that my guitars are in such good shape?
I do take good care of my guitars and keep them humidified in their cases and in a cool closet when not being played.
I don't know if I would ever dare buy a used guitar off of Ebay, unless it came with an unconditional return policy, in case I didn't like it.
How many people besides reputable dealers can offer that?
What has been your experience with Ebay, or other internet auction guitars?

 

[GardMan]

I have bought 5 Guilds off eBay, with the following results...

A '72 all mahog D-25 was returned for full refund (incl shipping), because of split tailblock, headstock, and shaved bridge not mentioned in ad (ad said no splits or cracks)... it also smelled so strong of cigarette smoke my wife wouldn't let me have it upstairs. This was my first eBAY guitar, and was a total disappointment. Came out OK in the end, but I learned to ask LOTs of questions....

My '92 D-55 came with substantial finish checking not mentioned in the ad... seller said it wasn't there when he shipped it. I couldn't rule out that it happened in shipping (shipped NY>UT in February). We negotiated a small refund, and I am enjoying it immensely... sounds heavenly, I just try to forget about the checking.

'74 D-25M, '74 G-37Bld, and '81 D-46NT all came as described, and I was quite satisfied with their condition (dings and nicks in the first two, plus some finish checking on the D-46) and sound. I've posted several comments on how different they all are... and will again when I give a full review of the D-46 (my newest) in the next couple weeks.

So, overall, I have four great eBay Guilds... I would say my scorecard to date reads 3 hits (D-25M/G-37Bld/D-46), a walk (D-55), and a dropped third strike (returned D-25) in five at bats (and I have learned a lot along the way).

 

[capnjuan]

Bought 2 Guilds off eBay:

'66 F212: shortcomings apparent in pics and imperfections were reflected in the cost to buy. Fixed/upgraded, great guitar.

'73 F30SB: shortcomings not apparent in pics. Despite weak Due Diligence on my part, seller refunded.

Most recent acquisition was off GBase; a good experience.

In summary, one-for-one. The Buy/Refund probably scored like a Walk; doesn't count as a time at bat. There is more risk on eBay than buying over-the-counter but that risk is somewhat offset because, in general, eBay prices are lower than OTC. cj

 

[Frosty]

Old guitars with cracked soundboards are fairly common up here in the Northeast U.S. 90% humidity and 90 degrees F in July down to 10% humidity and below zero (outside) in January. An active musician is hauling that box made of thin wood through some big changes over the course of a year! So, it's the stress and drying out that causes cracks. Hammer blows by disgruntled others notwithstanding.

Some of that dryness stress can be abated with diligent humidification - keeping that Dampit damp, for example.

Personally, I like finding great old guitars will well repaired grain-wise or seam cracks. Keeps the price down and, IMO, zero impact on the tone.

I will also say, that while I have purchased guitars with cracks, a guitar in my care has never developed a crack.

 

[Dr Izza Plumber]

I've bought several new guitars from ebay, and they arrived in perfect condition, (and excellent buys as well). I have bid on several used Guilds on ebay, (usually cherry condition) but once I make an offer, I stand by it. My offers are generally below what the axe eventually sells at. Pappy taught me to buy low, sell high! :wink:

 

[gilligan]

I'm one for two on my ebay experiences.

I jumped on a '76 D25 with a BIN price that was very slightly more than what most here at LTG would consider an average price for that guitar. Showed up with less than the cosmetic issues you would expect for a guitar of that age. Sunk a little money into it when I got it set-up for a bone nut/saddle/pins and it sounds/plays incredible.

I just got back my G37 today from my luthier. I asked many specific questions, got lies for answers, and decided to take a partial refund as opposed to sending it back, which the seller also offered. I was afraid that if the seller wasn't quite honest with the sale, he might claim that I hadn't packed it right, etc, on a return, and just give me more headaches. But I have to admit that I was looking for excuses to keep it because despite the issues, it sounded and played incredibly. In the end, I payed way more than I should have for a G37 of its vintage, but I'm very happy to have a Guild maple dread of its era that sounds as nice as it does.

Any time I read a listing that mentions a crack, I move on before I finish reading the sentence, mainly because I want to claim that there are only cosmetic flaws when the time comes (hopefully far from now) for me to sell. There are too many out there that don't have those issues and one will come along soon enough. I know many people, including my luthier, who just shrug their shoulders and say that unless it is a major major crack, and provided its not in a structurally problematic spot, like under/behind a brace, just cleat and stabilize it and it won't affect the sound at all.

Learning all of this stuff becomes part of the hobby (/obsession).

gilligan