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Brand new R7, headstock scratches normal?

sunking101

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Jan 13, 2020
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102
I received a brand new VOS gold top today and was wondering if some smudges and light surface scratches were typical on the shiny black surface of the headstock? I'm thinking it's perhaps where someone at the store has attached one of those clip-on tuners or maybe changed the strings before shipping.

Is there any way to remove light scratches from the headstock without making more of a mess? Thanks.
 

axeman565758

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Jan 23, 2007
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I would guess that you're correct in your assumption. Handled, demo'd or string change at the store is probably what caused the scratches. If they are bad, send the guitar back. Getting scratches out of the black will either be a disaster or a huge expense. My suggestion is just forget them and play. I'm always so careful with my guitars, but day one with my 60th Annie R0 M2M.......scratch....oh well...
 

DutchRay

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It's likely the VOS finish, which isn't buffed to shine like the USA line. Can you post a pic?
 

sunking101

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Jan 13, 2020
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It's likely the VOS finish, which isn't buffed to shine like the USA line. Can you post a pic?
I've tried to take some photos but I just can't get anything other than specks of dust to show.
Is the VOS finish on the shiny black part of the headstock too?
 

DutchRay

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Yep, the whole guitar isn't buffed out like the gloss version.
 

renderit

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Jan 19, 2009
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This is one of my favorite guitars which is an HS. An HS is basically a M2M'd True Historic.

Are your scratches like these? If they are I'd call "normal"!

35512144593_22920fe94b_4k.jpg


35925251440_c626838cab_4k.jpg
 

sunking101

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Jan 13, 2020
Messages
102
This is one of my favorite guitars which is an HS. An HS is basically a M2M'd True Historic.

Are your scratches like these? If they are I'd call "normal"!

35512144593_22920fe94b_4k.jpg


35925251440_c626838cab_4k.jpg
They're a little like your headstock scratches, but only in one place. I would have thought that if they were meant to be there they would be all over the headstock?
 

renderit

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Probably, but I wouldn't worry over it.

You could polish it out, but I'd say play it like you stole it and you'll have plenty more!
 

Big Al

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Apr 24, 2002
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14,537
You can't even get them photographed but you can see the dust flecks? How is this even an issue?? Take a deep breath, look at the whole thing in all its splender, toss back a shot or two, put away the magnifying glass, play and enjoy your beautiful flippin' guitar. With or without the white cotton gloves.
 

sunking101

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Jan 13, 2020
Messages
102
You can't even get them photographed but you can see the dust flecks? How is this even an issue?? Take a deep breath, look at the whole thing in all its splender, toss back a shot or two, put away the magnifying glass, play and enjoy your beautiful flippin' guitar. With or without the white cotton gloves.
It's hard to get surface scratcnes to show up without good light and a decent camera. Smartphone snaps don't cut it.

Yeah, I haven't sent it back but it's kinda annoying when your most expensive guitar arrives with scratches, no? I have three and sevem year old Gibsons that don't have any scratches on the headstock...
 

Wizard1183

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Jan 20, 2018
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Use auto car polish, DO NOT polish in a single area too long. Itll come out in no time. scratch free
 

ourmaninthenorth

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Mar 28, 2009
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It's quite clearly bothering you; enough to reject it and return it to the store?

If not, work on getting it right in you mind that it's not that important in the round.

I've seen great guitars spoilt in the minds of owners for much less nit pickerage...

I work on talking myself in, not out of, guitars.

;)
 

ourmaninthenorth

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Any chance of a picture or two of the whole guitar Pal?

I'll wager your audience here will find much to admire.
 

El Gringo

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Apr 8, 2015
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I received a brand new VOS gold top today and was wondering if some smudges and light surface scratches were typical on the shiny black surface of the headstock? I'm thinking it's perhaps where someone at the store has attached one of those clip-on tuners or maybe changed the strings before shipping.

Is there any way to remove light scratches from the headstock without making more of a mess? Thanks.
That sucks and would piss me off to no end and make me blow my top at the mishandling of your "property" You should contact them and complain and get them to make it right and even send that guitar back !
 

El Gringo

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Apr 8, 2015
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I would guess that you're correct in your assumption. Handled, demo'd or string change at the store is probably what caused the scratches. If they are bad, send the guitar back. Getting scratches out of the black will either be a disaster or a huge expense. My suggestion is just forget them and play. I'm always so careful with my guitars, but day one with my 60th Annie R0 M2M.......scratch....oh well...
Yup because the holly face plate is paper thin and good luck trying to safely remove the scratches and smudges
 

gakees

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May 11, 2004
Messages
141
OK, I'll add my two cents, FWIW.........had you known about the scratches prior to buying the guitar, would you have bought it? If not, send it back.
 

Big Al

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Apr 24, 2002
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14,537
It is a VOS finish. VOS. Ever see a VOS with a mirror gloss finish? No! Am I wrong in my understanding that these are not scratches but rather fine surface swirl and typical micro marks common to VOS finish and not deep afterwards scratches? The kind you have to light just right and really put effort into seeing?? So insignificant you can't picture??

It is a non gloss V FLIPPIN' OS finish.

Save me the outrage for a non issue. FWIW I easily polished up a 2013 VOS to a high gloss and as mentioned special care on the headstock to keep from burning thru the silkscreen. VOS finish omits the final finish buffing that is done for gloss.
 

sunking101

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Jan 13, 2020
Messages
102
It is a VOS finish. VOS. Ever see a VOS with a mirror gloss finish? No! Am I wrong in my understanding that these are not scratches but rather fine surface swirl and typical micro marks common to VOS finish and not deep afterwards scratches? The kind you have to light just right and really put effort into seeing?? So insignificant you can't picture??

It is a non gloss V FLIPPIN' OS finish.

Save me the outrage for a non issue. FWIW I easily polished up a 2013 VOS to a high gloss and as mentioned special care on the headstock to keep from burning thru the silkscreen. VOS finish omits the final finish buffing that is done for gloss.
That's why I made the thread. If everyone with a VOS LP had chipped in and said that their headstocks were intentionally scratched as well then I would breathe a sigh of relief.

The thing is, my headstock does look shiny and scratch-free apart from one small area at the top left and I think it's where one of those damned clip-on tuners has been clamped on. Why is the whole headstock not covered in these micro scratches if it's 'part of the look'?

I have decided to keep the guitar regardless because it plays very well and is lightweight. Those scratches do kind of annoy me though. I understood that VOS wasn't a relic finish.
 
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