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Fixing Up old Guitar

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(@zicker)
Active Member
Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 3
Topic starter  

I have a list of stuff that needs to be done that I'm not sure how to do.

I pulled out my dad's Kingston guitar from the 1960's and everything was pretty corroded. The thing has been barely touched and still has the original strings. I've cleaned up the body and frets, but there's still a lot to be done. I'm going to just list it for simplicity.

- Chrome plating is tarnished with green corrosion spots.

- The metal adjustable saddle has cut in grooves from the old strings.

- The input jack is corroded inside and its difficult to plug in the cable the right way to make the guitar play.

- The begs are hard to turn and discolored.

- The fretboard is dry and after cleaning the frets with a scrub and water

I know its a lot, but its worth fixing.


   
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(@greybeard)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 21 years ago
Posts: 5840
 

- Chrome plating is tarnished with green corrosion spots.
Personally, I'd just use a chrome cleaner, to get the worst off and leave it. A guitar of that age shouldn't look pristine and, if you look after it, the corrosion won't get any worse.
- The metal adjustable saddle has cut in grooves from the old strings.
I suspect that the grooves are deliberate, to keep the strings spaced properly.
- The input jack is corroded inside and its difficult to plug in the cable the right way to make the guitar play.
Unless you want to keep the guitar absolutely original, replace the jack socket.
- The begs are hard to turn and discolored.
I assume you mean the tuners, here. The discolouring is natural and, for most people, desirable - adds to the character of the guitar.
Are the tuners open (can you see the gears)? If so, you can use a little light machine oil to free the mechanism up.
It's difficult to see but I think that you have bushings, lining the holes. There may be corrosion, in there, making the tuners seem tight. You can remove the tuners and clean out the holes.
- The fretboard is dry and after cleaning the frets with a scrub and water
You need to oil the fretboard with lemon oil or another fretboard oil. Using water is not the best thing for the fretboard, so get it oiled asap.

Other than that, have fun and enjoy your new guitar.

I started with nothing - and I've still got most of it left.
Did you know that the word "gullible" is not in any dictionary?
Greybeard's Pages
My Articles & Reviews on GN


   
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(@blue-jay)
Noble Member
Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 1630
 

Good advice from greybeard - he always knows his stuff. 8)

Thanks for the picture also, that's a treat taking me back to the days. :lol:

And of course, welcome, stick around, we look forward to hearing from you ... :D

P.S. Enjoy the guitar, it will be more special, being from your Dad, and fixed with your own hands.

Like a bird on the wire,
like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free.


   
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(@greybeard)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 21 years ago
Posts: 5840
 

Good advice from greybeard - he always knows his stuff. 8)
:oops:

I started with nothing - and I've still got most of it left.
Did you know that the word "gullible" is not in any dictionary?
Greybeard's Pages
My Articles & Reviews on GN


   
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(@alangreen)
Member
Joined: 22 years ago
Posts: 5342
 

It looks a really nice axe. Make sure it's insured before you take it anywhere near a stage

A ;-)

"Be good at what you can do" - Fingerbanger"
I have always felt that it is better to do what is beautiful than what is 'right'" - Eliot Fisk
Wedding music and guitar lessons in Essex. Listen at: http://www.rollmopmusic.co.uk


   
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(@zicker)
Active Member
Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 3
Topic starter  

Unless you want to keep the guitar absolutely original, replace the jack socket.

How do you go about doing that? I don't want to break anything by just going at it.
I suspect that the grooves are deliberate, to keep the strings spaced properly.

That makes my life easier. Some guy at a guitar shop said to file it down and widen it to make the strings sit right.


   
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(@ricochet)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 21 years ago
Posts: 7833
 

Some guys at some guitar shops don't always know what they're talking about. :D

"A cheerful heart is good medicine."


   
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