Bought a 2019 goldtop classic with weird checking

[ray7007]

Most of the time checking occurs is when a sudden temperature change happens. When the guitar is cold in a case and opened to a warm room it checks by wood Expanding. This happens on Gold Tops especially because it's so noticeable. Wood Expanding happens first where the holes are do to the warm air hits these area's first and penetrates.
Gold tops have that layer of color compared to any other that has mostly clear or stain.
Hope this helps.

 

[gibson-r8]

Welcome to the forum new guy

 

[ray7007]

Thanks I've been reading this forum for years. Just know about checking on lacquer.

 

[El Camino]

My R7, looks like related to flat top maple and I think follow wood growth rings.

 

[Subliminal lanimilbuS]

Guitars like Gold tops and Pelham blue with powder pigments added are well known for that happening. Especially when subjected to a little cold. I have seen 10 year old ones of each with 50 times that amount of checking going on. Some years of 50's Gold tops are also prone to checking in that direction. To a degree it is dependent on the direction the paint was applied. Whether it is good or bad is in the eyes of the owner.