jazzmaster body cracks...

[Down Underground]

This seems kinda rare? The body and or finish (original finish) has started to crack on my 63 Jazz at the glue joints(where the peices of wood are glued together). It runs just in the finish and doesn't seem to be going anywhere, but its slowly starting to move around the entire body. I'm not sure what to do about it. Seems more cosmetic than anything. Maybe the glue is rotting?

[Stereordinary]

Any two pieces of wood are going to expand and contract at different rates and intervals, from simple temperature, humidity, and age.  There's really nothing that can be done, it's just an inherent flaw, but nothing to get upset about.  You glue joint is fine, and your glue would look rotten if it was.  It's over 40 years old, so you know, cut it some slack. 

[Haddock]

If you look at prospect's '64 JM in the "For Sale" section, you'll see it is not a rare problem. Not really an issue for prospect's (as he says, easy to fix when doing the needed refin), but that's a shame if this is cracking your original finish ... 

[painted wood]

yeah, my '63 has a slight hairline too.  At the tail end toward the backside.  The wood/glue shrinks/dries especially at the end of the wood piece.

  It's nothing to be concerned with.  The wood/joint is solid.  It is a vintage thing.

[crazypaws]

leave it, it look sweet, i know.


worst, refinish it or somthing but leave it, keep that classic old vibe