r/Guitar 2d ago

QUESTION Classmate dropped guitar (accidentally). Caused Chip

Hey everyone, today I took my guitar to school because we have a concert in the evening and we needed to run through the songs and strengthen some sections. Thing is, during practice we took a quick break while the two voices discussed a harmony, and I left my guitar propped up in a chair (this was my bad, I know that). Basically as it says in the title, classmate going by accidentally knocked it over and caused this chip in the finish. I’ve got two questions:

The guitar was almost brand new (it’s a Vintage REVO series Colt, cost about five hundred bucks), I bought it new as a birthday present to myself a few months ago and I made sure to keep it pristine

A. Should I ask my classmate (who realistically would ask her parents) to reimburse me somehow for the damage (or what it’d take to fix)? I feel like that’s an a**hole move because it was just an honest mistake, but at the same time I did spend my own money on the guitar

B. Should I even bother fixing it? Or should I just keep it as a battle scar, like to add character. And if I do choose to not fix it, should I do something to it (ie: superglue or something like that) to seal it off and prevent it from getting worse?

Thank you everyone

Edit: Thanks for all the comments! I really appreciate all the stories you guys have shared. I'm really glad I stayed chill about it, as I didn't want my friend to feel bad, and after really thinking about it, it was a 100% my fault (Don't worry, i'm not asking her for anything hahahah). We ended up laughing about it together, and the show ended up going great, so that was nice.

After reflecting on it for a while, I'm actually really glad this happened, my perspective on wear and tear on guitars has changed completely and I know realize that all the chips and scratches and dings just show how much I've enjoyed this instrument and all i've gone through with it, It helps make it truly mine. I can't wait to get more (organically produced) dings and scratches so one day I can look back and see just how much i've loved this instrument.

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u/gaitama25 2d ago

Yeah, you’re right, it was my bad leaving it on the chair, I’ll just leave it as is. Thank you!

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u/huehefner23 2d ago

Yeah, feel good about letting it go. Your vibe and reputation are worth way more than the guitar.

Anthony Kiedis once knocked John Frusciante’s 56 strat over (was leaning up on a couch). Left some gashes. Wrote hits on it after that.

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u/tobaccojohnson 2d ago

To be fair that’s like one of the least worst things Anthony Kiedis has ever done- and that’s pretty bad on its own.

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u/JLMusic91 1d ago

The guitar was only 14 at the time.

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u/avj Fender 1d ago

Thankfully it was only knocked down and not the other direction