What do you think this is...?

[TwelfthTangent]

I was looking at the upper horn on a PRS I have and noticed this “defect” in the coloring of the wood. Is this just a wood anomaly in the mahogany or something more. I feel like I’ve seen something similar before, like a knot in the wood cut lengthwise, but I wanted to get the opinion of the forum elders. Guitar was bought used from a reputable dealer. Thanks for checking it out!

 

[Tonart]

My experience with the PRS finish issues has been this. Either of the following can occur:
- Lifting/detachment of the finish, especially at the sides of the fingerboard. When this happens you can hardly see the wood anymore. It’s almost opaque white patches. I’ve had this happen with two guitars. Only fix is a refinish.
- Cloudiness in the finish. This is not lifting as you can still see the wood, except through a ‘cloud of mist’. This has happened with two guitars (both private stocks). Only possible fix I know of is a refinish.
- ‘Case printing’ where storage inside the case leaves a milky film on the finish, due to contact with the case lining fabric. Only the surfaces touching the fabric have this issue. This is easily removed by buffing with an ultra fine/gentle buffing compound. This happens with many of my gutars but it’s not a problem.

Your case seems to be very unusual due to its long shape. I’ve never seen such a shape before. Do you store it permanently in its case? If so, try some fine buffing to see if it’s issue number 3. If the guitar is not stored in its case, then it’s probably issue number 2 since the wood and grain is still visible, although it would be the most unusual case I’ve seen. It usually occurs in blobs and patches.

 

[Tonart]

I use this exact product for ultra fine buffing. Hard to believe, but yes I discovered it by trial and error and it works perfectly.

Mix a dollop into a small receptacle of water, till you get a homegenous solution and no paste is left. Dab the top or middle sections of the solution and gently buff. Avoid the bottom sediment as it may have rough particles that can cause micro-scratches.

I’m talking guitar finish buffing here, just to reiterate, not enamel.

*by ultra-fine buffing I mean achieving a very smooth and high gloss, and removing external stains. This is not effective for removing deep scratches.

 

[Fro]

It looks like a discoloration in the wood to me. Probably the edge of a knot. I wouldn’t worry about it. If nothing else, it gives your guitar a distinguishing feature that’ll let you identify it if stolen.

 

[TwelfthTangent]

Thanks for the responses, guys. The finish seems to be intact and undisturbed, so I don’t think buffing will have an impact (I know hard to tell in the photos). Guitar has been cleaned and polished, always stored in the case, and has been this way since I received it. I’m not concerned about aesthetics if it is natural, cause I’m a big proponent of the natural beauty of wood. I noticed it and assumed it was an edge of a knot, but, since I’m not the original owner, I figured I’d ask and see if anyone thought it could represent something else, like prior damage and repair. I appreciate you guys taking a look at it!

 

[TwelfthTangent]

I’m talking guitar finish buffing here, just to reiterate, not enamel.

Lol. I might try it for both.

 

[Tonart]

Lol. I might try it for both.

Ha!

 

[Tonart]

Because the ‘welt’ stretches across both mahogany back and maple cap, it’s almost certainly the finish and not the wood. Honestly if you ask me the appearance looks like issue number 2. Do you live in a humid climate?

 

[TwelfthTangent]

Because the ‘welt’ stretches across both mahogany back and maple cap, it’s almost certainly the finish and not the wood. Honestly if you ask me the appearance looks like issue number 2. Do you live in a humid climate?

The guitar is kept in a temp/humidity controlled room, but it was there when I received the guitar, so it didn’t happen on my watch. Looking at it, I didn’t think it went into the maple cap. You might be looking at a reflection (I know it’s hard to tell in these photos what is real and what is a reflection). I circled the defect in this new photo.

 

[Tonart]

The guitar is kept in a temp/humidity controlled room, but it was there when I received the guitar, so it didn’t happen on my watch. Looking at it, I didn’t think it went into the maple cap. You might be looking at a reflection (I know it’s hard to tell in these photos what is real and what is a reflection). I circled the defect in this new photo.

LOL I totally didn’t see that! Perhaps that’s because it looks so natural. Yeah I wouldn’t worry about that.

 

[László]

Looks to me like a part of the wood that took the stain a little differently. It doesn’t appear to be a defect at all.

You’re worried about nothing. Forget about it and enjoy the guitar.

 

[TwelfthTangent]

LOL I totally didn’t see that! Perhaps that’s because it looks so natural. Yeah I wouldn’t worry about that.

Lol. So, it sounds like we all think it’s a natural wood defect. Yeah, man, trying to evaluate guitars by photo is very difficult sometimes. Thanks for all the help guys!

 

[11top]

Drool?