I'm trying to remember if I have ever been 100% happy with a guitar I purchased from an online vendor. I can't think of one to be honest. I have found something I didn't like about every one that I can recall right now. That's one of the peculiarities of buying online. I think most vendors would probably say it's unreasonable to expect hi-res detail shots of every square inch of the guitar but that's exactly what you would very likely do if you bought it in person. You'd look closely at every part of it, flipping it over, holding this way and that to catch the light. Checking how it feels in your hands. That's what I'd do and it's apparently also what the OP did once it arrived. And why not? It's our nature to scrutinize our new gear. I do understand the lure of online shopping. There's a significantly improved selection to browse without driving anywhere; just a few mouse clicks. It does come with pitfalls though. I've never seen any data but I do sometimes wonder if the price of new gear is being affected by the increased number of returns that inevitably accompany online shopping.
I think you have hit the nail on the head, but unfortunately due to the pandemic that is worldwide at the moment, here in the UK the shops are shut, and might be for quite a while yet, so hands on inspection is a no no at the moment.
If it is not out in the open and easy to see than I think I would not worry too much about it. I am real anal about my stuff too and want it all perfect! My niece says my guitars look too nice for their age and thinks they should have a more relic look with scratches and worn paint. SO its all up to you at this point. Squeaky wheel gets greased!
. You'll scratch it worse than that after the first week of playing. Remember that wood guitar had to get yanked from some forest. Sometimes while facing a beast that could rip someone's arms off.
To me, if I pay for something new and flawless, it should be new and flawless. Yeah... sure... it will get dinged up and scummed up over time, but that's my responsibility. I've definitely seen guitars labelled B-stock for this sort of minor finish flaw, and discounted accordingly. People above are right... every neck is hand finished and therefore all feel fractionally different. If this guitar feels good to you, there is no guarantee the next one will as well. But if knowing that nick is there is upsetting your OCD, then it clearly doesn't feel good to you. If a few dollars back in your pocket rectifies that... which I doubt... then ask for a discount. I have a family member with OCD, and based on that limited experience, you are may only be happy returning it and getting something satisfactorily finished.
Come to think of it.. almost all of the guitars I've been truly happy with, I've played before buying.. whether in-store, or before buying used. Pretty much every guitar I've been displeased with, I've bought online without being able to play it. I think you just might have a point there.. I never really realized it. The ones I've bought from an individual online, I've been happy with. It's the new ones from GC/MF/etc that have been worse purchases. Stuff that would be inexcusable to me, like the horribly unfinished, sandpapery, scratchy frets.. I've never seen that in the stores, but I've had two guitars I've ordered with that issue.
Hard to tell how much it really shows from that close up pic. If you can see it with the naked eye every time you look, you should return it because your ocd will never let you forget it. If you really can’t see it without close inspection, it’s not there.
There's a fine line (lol, here a double yellow line) between roadkill getting in the way of a DOT paint crew and post-modern artistic genius: In other words, never let OCD-ing over a tiny mistake keep you from enjoying/creating what might otherwise be a masterpiece.
How much is that picture blown up? Take a normal perspective shot. If it is under the clear coat it it may just be a small imperfection that is insignificant. Rarely is anything perfect. I would have to see a normal shot to make a decision for me.
1) Five minutes into your playing, the frets will be showing wear. 2) Perfection is unattainable. 3) A bird in the hand is better than two in the bush. 4) Be careful what you wish for. 5) Leave well enough alone. Good luck! Hopefully you will scrutinize your playing at least as much as your instrument's finish.
I bought a rather expensive electric guitar. It was a NAMM show demo. It had one tiny ding on the top of the guitar. I saved $2200.00, so yeah, I was happy. If they are willing to give a big percentage off, I would take it and keep the guitar. I saved 33%. But if he offers you a measles 5 or 10 percent, I would return it and have him order me a replacement.
