Advice on this crack please

skullfunkerry

I miss my Contemporary Active Strat... just been window shopping online and found this:

https://www.promenademusic.co.uk/Squier-Contemporary-Active-Stratocaster-HH-Olympic-White

I’m sorely tempted... what do we think about that crack though? Just the paint, or something more sinister?

WezV

Nothing to worry about, almost certainly paint

RandallFlagg

Looks like typical poly finish cracking.

thread title stirs the imagination

Pabcrane

All my Fenders have had similar cracks after gigging, though somewhat smaller. I guess I'm not too gentle!

Redlester

You’re ok. Those are really common. 

Henrytwang

Almost certainly not a problem. These finish cracks can be found on lots of poly finished Fender guitars.

ICBM

Paint.

GoldenEraGuitars

Mmmm... I can’t offer guitar advice. But if you need any class A information I’m sure I can help. 

thegummy

The best crack advice is never smoke it.

JerkMoans

"I would never do crack. I would never do a drug named after a part of my own ass."

- Denis Leary

prlgmnr

massively managing to fuck up posting a youtube video here, one last try

https://youtu.be/nONCCSdA9Ds?t=2647

well that hasn't worked but the bonus is my text has gone blue

gazrichards

Paint. Wood will crack with the grain (unless something BAD has happened)

Ain’t no wood grain going in that direction

Adey

The cracking is caused by stresses (probably caused by long term paint shrinkage) being exaggerated at corners.

As @gazrichards said above, the wood grain doesn't go in that direction.

However, when buying a guitar with said stress cracks in the paint, a lot of knowledgeable people will say "Oh dear. The body is cracked. I'll give you 30% of what you asked for as it will need repairing"