Finish cracks?

[J.Albert]

I'm a man of few words.

That mandolin ain't "pristine".

Send it back.

[spaaarky21]

I'm a man of few words.

That mandolin ain't "pristine".

Send it back.

I got it in the mail at lunch. It would have been an absolute steal if it was actually pristine. Maybe still an okay deal with the cracks but not what I was looking for. I'd like to give the seller the benefit of the doubt and assume it was temperature changes on its nearly week-long trip across the country.

[Billy Packard]

Here ya go...

david.harvey@gibson.com

He is a very good guy and easily approached.

As mentioned above, if it plays and sounds fine and you got a killer deal...there is merit! I commiserate with you and any expectations regarding being pristine also. Is there a qualified luthier you can consult with nearby to be sure it has no structural issues?

In the mean time, play it and see if you feel the Love!

Billy

[poul hansen]

Not a good idea to publish mail addresses. Robots harvests the internet and then sends spam. camouflage it.

[Charlie Bernstein]

So I take it that's your vote for "no, it's not expected"?

I don't mind online if the return policy is good and there aren't many alternatives nearby. I'm just trying to weigh my options if a new one purchased for 40% more would develop the same finish cracks at that joint in seven years. The only instruments I've had without edge binding were electric guitars, where the body was a single block.

Hey, we all know what pristine means. The question is, do you care? You got a nice price. Are you okay with the finish flaws?

If you are, you have two choices:

- Keep it and enjoy it.

- Tell the seller it's not as advertised, and see if you can get a partial fund.

If you're not, you have two choices:

- See if you can return it. If you can, then return it, get your money back, and look for another used instrument in better shape.

- See if you can return it. If you can, then return it, get your money back, and get a new mandolin.