Paint issues on USA ProMods?

[RobRR]

Ive got a USA SoCal, standard glass black... The paint is literally cracking itself off! None of the pieces have actually fallen off yet, but there are huge cracks growing all over the body, first started around the rear cover area and has grown to around the front and coming from under the trem as well. Its crazy, Ive never seen anything like it. Its not in the wood, only the finish. Anyone have any clues what the hell is happening? Im leaning towards bad prep... Next time Im at my drummers house, Ill snap some photos.

[Chad]

Interesting you mention that. Just the other day, I noticed cracks starting to form around the trem cover on a San Dimas Style 2 body I own. It is also gloss black. Weird that it is happening several years after the body was made.

[J_A / 540s]

I love Pro Mods but the fact is they aren't "high quality" guitars... especially the finish. One of the areas they lowered cost with is the thinly applied low quality paint & prep work.

[straycat]

I have an 08 first run pro mod and it doesn't have any paint issues at all.
Being one of the very first maybe they used better paint.
Story I heard was the first 10 or 20 were made in the CS but if that is true IDK.

[toejam]

I recall a few people here saying that a bunch of them had the cavity covers put on when the paint was not fully dry yet, so there was an issue with some paint chipping/cracking in those areas when trying to remove the covers.

[Predator1]

I have three USA Pro Mods, two SD 1's and a So Cal. No issues

[RobRR]

Its completely delaminating... you can see where the paint looks strange around the trem and cavity cover area, almost like it was sprayed too heavy and "built up" near those areas. The paint flaking off feels like a thick plastic shell, not the normal automotive paint Im used to dealing with.

[mantis]

WOW!! I just got back from playing a 2013 San Damis Model 1 Hard tail in candy apple Red. It also has a rosewood fret board instead of the Maple on all other Pro Mod guitars.
I noticed on the back of the guitar there where some strange crack like lines in the finish .You could not feel them but if you moved it underneath a light, you can see them. It almost looks like someone tried to snap the guitar in half and left some wrinkles in the finish. I should have taken a picture of it.
The paint isn't coming off anywhere but I think over time it would get worse. I also was a bit shocked in how light the guitar body was. The neck had nice weight but the body felt almost hollow. The balance was off IMO.
I really like the guitar but I walked away from it and didn't buy it. My intention was to.

[Carbuff]

WOW!! I just got back from playing a 2013 San Damis Model 1 Hard tail in candy apple Red. It also has a rosewood fret board instead of the Maple on all other Pro Mod guitars.
I noticed on the back of the guitar there where some strange crack like lines in the finish .You could not feel them but if you moved it underneath a light, you can see them. It almost looks like someone tried to snap the guitar in half and left some wrinkles in the finish. I should have taken a picture of it.
The paint isn't coming off anywhere but I think over time it would get worse. I also was a bit shocked in how light the guitar body was. The neck had nice weight but the body felt almost hollow. The balance was off IMO.
I really like the guitar but I walked away from it and didn't buy it. My intention was to.

Ive seen that before on guitars. You can see the seams where the body was glued together. Usually only noticeable in certain light and angles. Btw, I think that guitar is not USA made, but made in mexico, so technically an import.

[Carbuff]

Its completely delaminating... you can see where the paint looks strange around the trem and cavity cover area, almost like it was sprayed too heavy and "built up" near those areas. The paint flaking off feels like a thick plastic shell, not the normal automotive paint Im used to dealing with.

Any chance this was a Sandy victim? I know lots of gear got dunked in that mess.

[RobRR]

Nope, bought it way before Sandy and we stayed dry around my way, thankfully!

[VoiceX3]

Any chance this was a Sandy victim? I know lots of gear got dunked in that mess.

I'm going thru a winter flood cleanup right now that had 3 USA jacksons and a Jap Performer Jackson and although they were soaked none of the USA's are cracking or losing any paint. (especially the 87 Soloist which you can see feel all the wood/glue seems thru the finish) The performer is cracking at all seems. So I'm guessing paint quality is not on par with USA.

[pjg]

Its completely delaminating... you can see where the paint looks strange around the trem and cavity cover area, almost like it was sprayed too heavy and "built up" near those areas. The paint flaking off feels like a thick plastic shell, not the normal automotive paint Im used to dealing with.

Same thing is happening to me. Also a black guitar.

[mantis]

I'd love to see some Pictures. I just recently got back into Charvel, don't want these kinds of things happening to my collection. Disturbing to say the least.

[gerryl98]

BTW, doesn't "Pro Mod" refer to MIJ on non MIA?