Thanks for the understandings
I don't mind the ukulele getting worn with time with my own influences. But it really sucks when someone else has done it... and on the first day of having it too lol.
He was sort of shredding a bit madly on the high frets on the E and A string, so under those strings are some pick marks. They're actually not that noticeable, and you can only see if it you sort of look at it closely knowing its there. Its more psychological damage to me than on the actual uke, because I'm a rather fussy guy lol.
I guess an important lesson has been learned. I'll definitely inform any future samplers of my uke not to use picks, and explain that the uke is mainly played by hand and that I'd rather if my uke could avoid pick marks.
Because to be frank, under normal hand-playing circumstances, those scratches would never appear.
Actually, sensible picking with a pick wouldn't cause scratches either (the annoyance returns argh).
I did tell him about it, in passing. He did apologise and feels some guilt (though I politely insisted that it wasn't a problem).
I guess life would just have to go on. It's not that big of a deal afterall. An annoyance that was beyond my control at the time.
I find myself compulsively checking that spot each time I pick up the uke, to try and convince myself that it's not too bad. But its not a good feeling.. it'll take a bit more time to get over because I'm such a sook over any damage or unnecessary blemish to my babies.