Buying a PRS with finish clouding

[okstrat]

On the hunt for a PRS Santana, found a West 1980 model I'm considering (has a great top!) but it has minor finish clouding on the end of the body horns. So that brings up a couple of questions for me, would appreciate your thoughts.

1) should it affect value? Price of guitar is in line with ones that aren't cloudy, is this just a stubborn seller or does minor cloud-ness not affect pricing? Or does it depend on the rarity of the instrument?

2) Will it get worse, and have we figured out how to mitigate/stop it in it's tracks, or once it starts is it just going to spread out? I have a Custom 24 with it all across the bottom edge, and it hasn't seemed to get any worse but I haven't been watching it closely. If I bought this West model and it spread onto the top I'd be gutted.

 

[ScottR]

Yeah even though it’s a super special guitar, the seller should be realistic. I’ve found in all of my years you just can’t do business with some people. I would check with PTC and see how much they would charge for a refin and make the guy an offer minus that cost. If you REALLY,REALLY want it. Split the difference in the PTC costs and stay firm. That’s just my .02 you do what you’re comfortable with and jump on it or walk away and grr re an a different one. But again that’s just me

 

[SinSir]

1- yes influences price unless they want it to sit forever and ever. PRS buyers are very particular on any issues. Common sense says of course it does. The finish is cloudy. Stubborn or stupid is the verdict

2- Only fix is a refin. It's moisture that was trapped under the clear. Nothing I've tried has helped. None of mine have gotten worse but they had to at some point. I've seen some worse than others. It's a guitar to guitar thing.

Westie is a win for sure but a refin through PRS is not cheap. That's the only place I'd send a Westie to not further devalue. Although, I'd never sell it.

 

[Moondog Wily]

A Westie is a true treasure, but any guitar, especially a PRS collectors piece, is going to be more affected by finish issues. If seller no budge, seller keep guitar ;~)) Best wishes on your search for a piece of history! May the finish be clear and the neck be straight and true!!!

 

[bodia]

As a proud Westie owner, I would be super bummed with clouding. If I were thinking about buying one that has some clouding, I would, but at a discount. If it was really bad, I'd move on unless it was cheap, relatively speaking.

 

[RC Mike]

It’s a used guitar. Why you’re buying it makes a big difference in what condition you need it to be in.

I usually know whether or not I’ll intend to keep a guitar long-term before I buy it. If my intent is to keep it, I don’t care too much about cosmetics. That’s not to say I’ll pay a great condition price for guitar with cosmetic flaws, but it wouldn’t slow me down to buy it at a price that reflects the condition.

What’s that price? Probably what you reasonably think another buyer would pay for it at some point down the line. I don’t think it’s reasonable to subtract the cost of a refinish, but it shouldn’t be the same price as a guitar without the clouding.

 

[okstrat]

It’s a used guitar. Why you’re buying it makes a big difference in what condition you need it to be in.

I usually know whether or not I’ll intend to keep a guitar long-term before I buy it. If my intent is to keep it, I don’t care too much about cosmetics. That’s not to say I’ll pay a great condition price for guitar with cosmetic flaws, but it wouldn’t slow me down to buy it at a price that reflects the condition.

What’s that price? Probably what you reasonably think another buyer would pay for it at some point down the line. I don’t think it’s reasonable to subtract the cost of a refinish, but it shouldn’t be the same price as a guitar without the clouding.

Price is a little higher than others I'm seeing in similar condition without the clouding. ($4800 vs $4500) However, I like the color and top better on the 'cloud' guitar than the others. The cloudiness isn't on the top, but if it spread or got worse/into the top I'd be a very unhappy camper. Thought I'd do a reality check here before I contacted them and made an offer.

 

[Gtrbldr]

I think there was some very solid advice. Clouding is a serious defect, one that devaluates the guitar significantly. Unless you want to do an expensive refin: I'd let it sit.

 

[László]

If having the clouding spread would bother you, don't buy it. It's likely to do just that.

If it was $1000 less, it'd be a good buy to have refinished.

 

[JeffsRealm]

Just adding here, this happened to me on the neck where it got cloudy and you cloud see like bubbles. Because of the heavy use of the area the finish broke off and it was not pleasant. It had to go get a refin from PRS tech center. This take some time to do as well as cost. They did an excellent job though.

 

[Teddy4]

I have a Westie with pretty much the same clouding as the one you are talking about. For me at least, it hasn't spread. But I also paid significantly less than the one I believe you are referencing. If they're not willing to move then that's probably your answer, unless the quilt just absolutely calls to you. It can be refinished but you can't change the grain on the one you pick.

 

[Aether]

Just adding here, this happened to me on the neck where it got cloudy and you cloud see like bubbles. Because of the heavy use of the area the finish broke off and it was not pleasant. It had to go get a refin from PRS tech center. This take some time to do as well as cost. They did an excellent job though.

Out of curiosity, what was the cost?

 

[SinSir]

Out of curiosity, what was the cost?

PTC isn't cheap. Prices have gone up since covid too. Best thing is to email PRS.