quote:

They finally figured out it was the owner's Old Spice that, mixed with his sweat, reacted with the lacquer and caused the problem. Crazy, but true.

I guess that Old Spice is hazardous to more than one's sense of smell.

Trust the folks in Austin, they'll give it to you straight to be sure. I hope it all works out well for you, keep us posted on what you learn and how it plays out.

Apparently, the spice was VERY old, and a little rank. You think you've heard everything, then..... a cologne that's sunk many a relationship, and now a guitar. Anchors aweigh.

My 2003 CJA exhibits the same sort of "bubbles". Rather than round, they are elongated and run with the grain of the rosewood. It is nothing you would notice without looking for it. It has never bothered me. I purchased the guitar new and it has always been kept at the proper humidity levels and has never been subjected to environmental extremes. I would suppose it has to do with the preparation of the wood before the final finish was applied. I have owned a number of Collings guitars and the CJ is the only one that has exhibited this phenomenon.

My 2003 Cedar/EIR SJ doesn't have a hint of it.

Warren

It doesn't sound like a topical problem with the finish to me. Sounds like the UV seal crystalized a little. Its happened to any numbers of guitars and probably from any number of builders, including Collings. And, short of stripping a perfectly good guitar, you deal with it. Discount the price or sell it as a second. All those little bubbles are pretty cool to look at though.

Wow, What a response! Thanks guys. I really didn't expect this much input this quickly. What a great forum. I appreciate the suggestions, theories, and humor-- all very helpful in coping with what I have believed to be just some extremely obscure anomaly. After I bring in the kid for a check-up, I'll let you all know what the report is. By the way, I tried taking a picture of the problem but my camera just couldn't pick up the 'bubbles'.
There still is the possibility that the root of the problem is my Old Spice Body Spray. I pretty much dip myself in the stuff before I play guitar... if I can't sound good, at least I could smell goood. ha.
I hope to see everyone at the November forum get-together!
matt

Just stay downwind of your audience and you'll be okay.

OK Matt, now we understand. See, with the Old Spice, if you just didn't play the git au natural, everything would have been fine, at least for the git's back and sides

Anyway, have faith in the folks at Collings. Whatever the deal is, they will tell you straight. Also, if its one of those things that you really can't see unless your looking for it, well, as the Doctor sez, don't look for it.

Tom

my 1996 SJ sitka/rosewood has no bubbles.

we serve no wine until it is time.

is this what you are talking about? this is a 2002ish D-2h that I had for a while. I think it was due to some sap coming out of the wood and bubbling up under the finish.

B

now, that's ugly. Beagle, are you a Bligh or a Christian advocate? HMS, indeed.

I live in Cambridge, MA. It's all one species here;-)

Now THAT does not look normal IMO.