Bought a 2019 goldtop classic with weird checking

Hi all, I’m new here! I just wanted to check with some people who might know more about this subject… I recently bought a gold top classic from 2019, used but from a retail store. Judging from the pics in the ad it looked perfect but when I got it (they sent it to me bcause it was far away) I realized it had some pretty heavy checking. I know a lot of people love that but to me… I mean it’s a 2019 guitar and it doesn’t look like natural aging anyway, more like someone tightened some screws too hard. I’m no expert on this but what would you guys say? They didn’t mention this in the ad and I’m not one of those guys who think checking is always a good thing.

Here’s a pic, but there are more around every screw

I have a 2015 Less Plus Goldtop with similar type checking around the knobs and bridge/tail piece. It was listed at a discount for that reason. I was all too happy to scoop it up.

I do not think it is anything that anyone did. I think there was a run of gold finish that was prone to this type of lacquer checking.




What was the question?

If you don't like it and they take returns, send it back.

It happens around the holes due to buffing.
I think you were owed a heads-up that it's there.
Be prepared to hear, "A lotta folks pay extra for that, ya know, har har."