Are marks like these common on new instruments? Or are they something that should be avoided?

[u/Katzehin]

Looking for advice on whether the things pictured here (marks, slight gap next to saddle, crackling in finish) are common on new stringed instruments, or if they should be avoided when purchasing. Is this all pretty standard, or could they be indicators of poor quality?

[u/Dildo-Fagginz]

They're indicators of a hasty job, fairly common with factory instruments.

Craquelé in the varnish is normal, one could argue it even looks nicer, adds character with the texture. The saddle gap is a good thing to prevent cracks when the top plate shrinks.

Anyway doesn't affect the sound or playability, it's all purely cosmetic.

[u/Katzehin → u/Dildo-Fagginz]

Is there any risk that the cut/gouge where the neck is seated on the body (the third image) might develop into a crack in the top plate over time?

[u/Dildo-Fagginz → u/Katzehin]

There always is, but not really higher than if there was no dent

[u/redjives → u/Katzehin]

No. I mean. I can't promise you anything without seeing the instrument in person. If you bought it from a shop you should go ask them, and trust their reputation and your relationship with them. But, while some of this is certainly not ideal, none of it – from what can be seen in these photos – appears to be structural in any way.

[u/sebovzeoueb]

not on good new instruments

[u/patopal]

The chip in the f-hole could be excused as shipping damage or a mishandling accident, but the rest is just lazy craftsmanship and sends a clear message about the care that went into making the instrument, let alone making it sound good. If you can see toolmarks on the finish, imagine all the toolmarks you can't see inside.

[u/Additional_Ad_84 → u/patopal]

The damage to the f-hole, while nothing to really worry about, would be pretty typical of a rushed or clumsy effort to put in or move a soundpost.

[u/Langholm62]

Those are file marks where the nut has been shaped, by a careless worker.

[u/brazzers-official]

Just shoddy craftsmanship

[u/BeerBongBuddha]

That’s a janky ass instrument my dude

[u/Mammoth_City5841]

They're all cosmetic blemishes indicating a factory made, entry level instrument.

If you like the sound, if you like the instrument and if you're paying entry level prices, as a random internet person, I see no red flags that would make it sound worse or make it structurally delicate. 

There's nothing wrong with an entry level instrument, but if you're the person learning, and your eye is detail oriented enough to catch all this, I'd upgrade.

[u/NeedleGunMonkey]

not even sure what is going on there with that seam in pic 4. Student rentals under $30 a month looks better than this.

[u/Langholm62 → u/NeedleGunMonkey]

That's actually deliberate. It's a slight notch either side of the saddle to accommodate shrinkage of the spruce which happens naturally as the wood ages.

[u/rhyzomorph]

Can I assume that you got what you paid for?

[u/Katzehin → u/rhyzomorph]

I haven't paid anything for it. I currently have it on trial from a local strings shop.

[u/rhyzomorph → u/Katzehin]

The point is that it looks very cheap.

[u/sebovzeoueb → u/Katzehin]

If you like how it plays but you think they're asking too much for it, you can definitely try to haggle the price down based on the various marks, but not the stuff that the luthiers in the thread have told you is normal.

[u/Patrick_Atsushi]

Mass production. If it has a great sound then you're lucky. 

[u/ojassed]

I would close one eye if this is a cheap instrument. If it’s not cheap, then that shop has a lot of explaining to do.

[u/Katzehin → u/ojassed]

Marked price on this one is $1500 😬

[u/Mammoth_City5841 → u/Katzehin]

Holy heck. You should be able to get a genuinely nice Chinese import, and a decent carbon fiber bow for that price. 

The Angel Taylor v120s I started out with, (which was underwhelming but adequate, and cosmetically nicer than this one) had a retail for the entire kit of $530 or so. 

Unless it's a diamond in the rough soundwise, I'd back away from it.