Finish checking are those little hairline cracks that you see in the finish on many older guitars. A guitar that is 30 years or older can develop these merely from the finish drying out and aging. The environment that the guitar spends its life in is also a contributing factor. Some players find these tiny hairline cracks to add character to and instrument and also a certain “relic” look. But what about the player that purchases a new guitar and wants to keep it looking new and does not like that “checked” relic look? One easy preventative measure is to keep your guitar from going form one extreme temperature to another. For example let’s say that you just finished with your gig or jam session in the middle of winter and it is below freezing outdoors. You pack up your guitar and amp and put it in your car and head for home. On the drive your guitar can get very cold even if it is in the case and in a heated car. When you arrive home you should wait until the case and the guitar comes to room temperature before opening the case. The same applies to a guitar you just received in the mail during the cold winter months. If you open your guitar case immediately you run the risk of having your guitar literally check in front of your eyes. I have personally witnessed this on a really nice Gretsch Country Classic reissue. The guitar spent the entire day in a trunk of the owners car during the cold month of January. It was then opened immediately in a warm room and checked right on the spot! It can happen that fast. This is a method some guitar builders use to achieve that checked “relic” look on a brand new guitar. What actually happens is the wood of the guitar warms and expands faster than the finish. Due to this expansion the finish cracks. So always be patient and wait to open a cold guitar case or that boxed up ebay purchase that spent the day in a cold delivery van. It could save the finish of your guitar.

300Guitars Shop

My shop is located at 1 Executive Dr Unit L Toms River, NJ 08755 Please feel free to email me if you have any questions or are in need of some tech work.
  • Monday: 10am - 5pm
  • Tuesday: 10am - 5pm
  • Wednesday: Closed
  • Thursday: 10am - 5pm
  • Friday: 10am - 5pm
  • Saturday 10am - 2pm. (I am in every other Saturday).
I am also an Eminence, Mercury Magnetics, Mojo Musical Supply dealer. I do all the tech work myself so you deal directly with me. I am a one man shop and my hours can vary so please contact me to confirm that I will be open. Email me: billy@300guitars.com Call or text me: 848-218-0362 Shipping Info for all repair work: Please ship all repairs to: 1 Executive Dr Unit L Toms River, NJ 08755
I am currently offering all phases of guitar work which includes:
  • Set-ups
  • Fret dressing
  • Re-fretting
  • New hand cut custom bone nuts & saddles
  • Electronics work
And amplifier work which includes:
  • Basic maintenance
  • Bias adjustment
  • Repairs and restorations
  • Modifications
  • And more....
Testimonials:
David Nicholas - The 20watt amp is sounding fantastic! Delivered the goods at the gig and I'm finding cool tones all over the place with it. Love the cab w Emenince Tonkerlites too- perfect for my sounds! Makes the 12 string sound like a grand piano!
Peter Lacis - I had an audition for something recently that was all about Led Zeppelin I -- my custom Pennalizer BLEW THE MINDS of the guys I was playing with. They couldn't believe the sounds coming out of that amp. That album was never in my mind when I came up with the idea....so that's yet another testament to the amazing work that you do.
Scott Goldberg - I am very satisfied with the set-up, and the fast turn around.  With the "lower" action it feels easier to play.  I will definitely spread the word.