A guitar with a slight crack in top

[LiveMusic]

A guitar that has a visible crack running down the top. (The spruce.) Would you be worried enough about this that you wouldn't buy it even if all else was wonderful and the guitar was in almost perfect condition otherwise? For, say, 50% of what a new one would cost? In other words, a $500 street price for the new guitar and this one could be had for $250. Any thoughts?

[knockwood]

A top crack is a deal-killer for me under pretty much any circumstances. That may be just me. I own a guitar with a serious top crack (put there by my own stupidity) and although it's had zero impact on the tone of the guitar, it nags the crap out of me.

Are we talking repaired top crack or a guitar with a top crack that hasn't been fixed? They're definitely fixable, but of course this will cost you. If it has not been repaired, it will get worse/expand over time if left untreated...

[Hudman]

I would consider buying it depending on where the crack is located exactly and the guitar brand.

[daklander]

I would consider buying it depending on where the crack is located exactly and the guitar brand.

 

 

And if it's a surface/finish crack or a crack through the wood.

[guitarcapo]

thin CA glue wicks right in and problem solved sometimes

[Freeman Keller]

If it was the center seam of the book matched spruce I would say no. If it was the fretboard extension into the soundhole, I would say no. (Both those are usually a result of serious humidity issues, which tells me the git has been abused.)

However, my old D-18 has the pickguard crack that almost every old Martin has, it was fixed (properly) and the value of the guitar went up.

So, my answer would be - "depends"