It is currently Tue Mar 17, 2020 3:25 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 6 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: How to clean an old arch top
Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 5:39 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Fri Mar 21, 2008 7:06 am
Posts: 6
Just got an old Cromwell (made by Gibson) archtop, from the 1930's. It is very dirty. Whats the best way to clean this thing? A damp cloth followed by a dry one? How about lubing the tuners, just standard 3-in-1 oil?

Thanks


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 6:15 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:47 am
Posts: 15336
Location: In a galaxy far far away
Vintage guitar thats 79 years old. I'd be looking for a vintage guitar dealer to advise me on where to take it to have it cleaned mate.

_________________
No no and no


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 9:48 am
Offline
Roadie
Roadie

Joined: Wed Sep 24, 2008 8:49 am
Posts: 201
Location: chicago il.
do nothing except go to ebay & sell that puppy for a ton
sparky


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 11:26 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician

Joined: Tue Jan 01, 2008 1:51 pm
Posts: 2503
Location: Bucks County, Pennsylvania, USA
Hello Dan Wesson,

I don't think 3in1 is a great choice,
all the petro-chemical stuff it might
discolor the wood where finish is
thin or missing.

I'v seen a product for sale at guitar shows
called cotton cleanser but I don't have
any first hand experiance with it.

Of course like Nikininja suggested you
could{should} ring up a vintage deales
and ask their thoughts on the matter.

Send over a photo, many would like it.

Cheers.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 11:54 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2007 4:57 am
Posts: 13164
Location: Peckham: where the snow leopards roam
Mr Bill wrote:
I don't think 3in1 is a great choice,
all the petro-chemical stuff it might
discolor the wood where finish is
thin or missing.


I'd echo that loud and clear. I was recently reading Dan Erlewine on the subject of wood rot around tuners that had had 3-in-1 used on them. Leads to an expensive and miserable repair that would badly hurt the value of the guitar, amongst other things.

If those tuners are really filthy you may want to remove them and soak in naphtha prior to relubricating. But if that sort of thing sounds at all daunting then it is a well recommended repairman that you require. Very probably it shouldn't be too expensive to get this instrument back into top condition, unless there's something badly wrong with it.

Find a vintage guitar dealer in your area: they should be able to advise a reputable tech to take it to for this kind of work.

Also, we'd love to see good quality pictures of this interesting guitar, if you felt like posting them here...!

Cheers - C


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 12:08 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2008 8:42 am
Posts: 2546
Location: Scotland
This sounds interesting, that's quite a find Dan. I'd love to see some pix too, good luck with the restoration.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 6 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: