Yesterday I while fiddling around with posts on my RG550 (which I have had numerous trem problems with), I've noticed a small black line on the neck joint, which is quite small, and it branches out into a couple of other black lines. I can feel them when I run my nail over them. Are these stress cracks, or just finish cracks? I don't wanna remove the finish to find out, since this guitar means quite a bit to me, wouldn't wanna butcher up the finish. Is there any way to tell if it's a stress crack without removing the finish?

I have one in my 7620 and a small very light one in my S 7420. The one in my UV is short but a darker line. It absolutely bugs me that they are there but I think they just happen or it seems. I dont know if they are harmful or if they'll get worse. Anyway, I try not to get too worried about it.

I was thinking of using some wax (buff cars with) to remove the light crack in the clear on my S 7420. Anybody recommend anything else?

heh, i have onw in my 15th anniverisary 77FP

I was thinking of using some wax (buff cars with) to remove the light crack in the clear on my S 7420. Anybody recommend anything else?[/QUOTE]

NO, NO, No wax! - most waxes contain oily, silicony type thingys, and once you get them on, or into a guitar finish, touching up or repairing the finish becomes pretty much impossible. - These are stress fractures, they're only in the finish, and you can't buff 'em out - just consider them your guitar's smile lines as she ages gracefully!

Are you sure of this? I have heard Rich (Mr. Ibanez himself) say that they actually ARE in the wood (body) as well. Just look at EVO, lol. But they also dont hurt playability in anyway. Unless they look like EVO's cracks

my opinion....pretty much if you see a crack there in the finish....the wood is most likley cracked too

Ibanez is notorious for the stress cracks on the older heel joint models. I rarely hear that anyone gets them in the newer style AANJ neck joint though - I know I dont have any on any of my axes with the AANJ.

Actually, I dont have any on my older Jems (BFP & FP's) with the heel joint either (just lucky I guess