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Post subject: Guit-Fiddle Maintenance Day
Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2015 10:11 am
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Aspiring Musician
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Location: In the Land of "Stratocaster"
Hey everyone... well... it's Sunday! That's "Guitar Maintenenace Day" around here :D

Yep, when Sunday beams in... I enjoy performing all the stuff that keeps the Guit-Fiddles healthy and happy. Cleaning... Saddle Adjustments... Truss Tweaks (if needed...)... anything that needs to be maintenanced... I like to do on Sunday.

I play my guitars all week... With the amount of play time they get... there's ususally something that needs to be tweaked after a long week of play time... And frankly... I find it super relaxing to do it 8)

Anyone else do this type of stuff?

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Post subject: Re: Guit-Fiddle Maintenance Day
Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2015 11:28 am
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I have all my gear -- guitars and amps -- on a regimented schedule of routine PMCS (preventative maintenance, checks, and servicing) with the guitar work normally performed mid-month -- just after my social-security check arrives so I can afford to buy a string or some guitar polish.

:lol:

Three of my amps are now ready for their 180-day inspection, which I'll be doing this coming week. They seldom require anything beyond a bias check and some routine cleaning.

And yes, it's both relaxing to do and comforting to know that such attention has been competently performed.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Guit-Fiddle Maintenance Day
Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2015 12:32 pm
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With the number of amps and guitars that you own, I can see why you have to have a rotating schedule. :mrgreen:

Jerry

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Post subject: Re: Guit-Fiddle Maintenance Day
Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2015 1:03 pm
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Strat-Slinger wrote:
Hey everyone... well... it's Sunday! That's "Guitar Maintenenace Day" around here :D

And frankly... I find it super relaxing to do it 8)

Anyone else do this type of stuff?


I hadn't thought of Sunday as "guitar/amp maintenance day" but now that you've brought it up, excellent idea. :D

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Post subject: Re: Guit-Fiddle Maintenance Day
Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2015 7:02 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
I have all my gear -- guitars and amps -- on a regimented schedule of routine PMCS (preventative maintenance, checks, and servicing) with the guitar work normally performed mid-month -- just after my social-security check arrives so I can afford to buy a string or some guitar polish.

:lol:

Three of my amps are now ready for their 180-day inspection, which I'll be doing this coming week. They seldom require anything beyond a bias check and some routine cleaning.

And yes, it's both relaxing to do and comforting to know that such attention has been competently performed.

Arjay


But did you remember to sign off the lockout/tagout card Sarge?
:lol: :lol: :lol:

T2

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Post subject: Re: Guit-Fiddle Maintenance Day
Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2015 7:36 pm
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T2Stratman wrote:
But did you remember to sign off the lockout/tagout card Sarge?


I've been a 9-level for longer than you've worn a uniform, troop.

:mrgreen:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Guit-Fiddle Maintenance Day
Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2015 7:39 pm
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T2Stratman wrote:
Retroverbial wrote:
I have all my gear -- guitars and amps -- on a regimented schedule of routine PMCS (preventative maintenance, checks, and servicing) with the guitar work normally performed mid-month -- just after my social-security check arrives so I can afford to buy a string or some guitar polish.

:lol:

Three of my amps are now ready for their 180-day inspection, which I'll be doing this coming week. They seldom require anything beyond a bias check and some routine cleaning.

And yes, it's both relaxing to do and comforting to know that such attention has been competently performed.

Arjay


But did you remember to sign off the lockout/tagout card Sarge?
:lol: :lol: :lol:

T2

If he didn't he will be talkin to the DCM


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Post subject: Re: Guit-Fiddle Maintenance Day
Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2015 11:07 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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T2Stratman wrote:
Retroverbial wrote:
I have all my gear -- guitars and amps -- on a regimented schedule of routine PMCS (preventative maintenance, checks, and servicing) with the guitar work normally performed mid-month -- just after my social-security check arrives so I can afford to buy a string or some guitar polish.

:lol:

Three of my amps are now ready for their 180-day inspection, which I'll be doing this coming week. They seldom require anything beyond a bias check and some routine cleaning.

And yes, it's both relaxing to do and comforting to know that such attention has been competently performed.

Arjay


But did you remember to sign off the lockout/tagout card Sarge?
:lol: :lol: :lol:

T2


You need that box of ground guides from the supply sergeant. :lol:

PMCS, now that's sometning I haven't heard In a while!

For me, guitar maintenance sao is string change day. Usually once a month.

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Post subject: Re: Guit-Fiddle Maintenance Day
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2015 1:59 am
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I don't have a schedule, rather I correct things as they come up. I do check the setup of each guitar w/ changes in season even though we humidify during the winter and the guitars are in a constant 50% humidity environment.

I did just complete restoring my '99 Nashville Deluxe Telecaster which encompassed everything discussed here and more.

Image

Check it out: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=97873

cheers!

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Post subject: Re: Guit-Fiddle Maintenance Day
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2015 8:15 am
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Location: In the Land of "Stratocaster"
Like that Tele 8)
Great job on the restore :D
I see you used the "Flitz" polish on the hardware... I scoped the stuff out... looks like it may also be a decent polish for Poly Finishes?

I like the fact it's non-toxic.. non abrasive... non flammable... looks like a fantastic polish...
Anyone know if it's a good guitar polish on a polyurethane finish?

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Post subject: Re: Guit-Fiddle Maintenance Day
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2015 6:42 pm
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Three days ago I went over my Strat and did the trem block springs tension, truss rod, saddle heights, and intonation. Still not sure about the pickup heights yet. I need to play with them some more.

Oh, I figured out a gimmick for when it comes to measuring string heights. The problem was that whatever I used for a thickness gauge (automotive feeler gauge set, two guitar picks taped together, whatever) It was difficult to determine if the gauge was actually touching the string. I found that holding a small flashlight on the far side and pointing it towards me helped somewhat, but with round-wound strings there was always a bit of light coming through between the gauge and the string.

Then I got the idea of using a shiny flat guitar pick. If you're checking, say, the A string, balance the pick across the A, D, and G strings. Sit back and/or up with your eye at least a foot from the shiny pick and find an angle where you can see your overhead work light reflected in the pick. Now slide the gauge between the A string and the fret (or pickup pole piece).
If the string height is still too high, nothing will happen. If the string is just barely touching the gauge, then the pick will tilt a bit, and the reflection of the work light will move, or possibly go dark. The greater the distances between the pick and your eye and the light, the more sensitive it is to movement.

Another trick I figured out specifically for the truss rod adjustment, where you are supposed to put a capo at the first fret and press the string down at the last (closest to bridge) fret. Insert a spoon handle between the pickups, underneath all strings except the low E, and that will hold it down while you get to use bond hands for other things, like holding the flashlight and thickness gauge. I recommend a spoon that has a slight bend to the handle, so that the string is also pulled slightly in towards the other strings.

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Post subject: Re: Guit-Fiddle Maintenance Day
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2015 7:19 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
T2Stratman wrote:
But did you remember to sign off the lockout/tagout card Sarge?


I've been a 9-level for longer than you've worn a uniform, troop.

:mrgreen:

Arjay


I was a Squadron Superintendent too long to not run that mental checklist on ya, 9 Level or no! Besides, looks like we woulda had to go rescue Tbazz from the DCM anyway, he seem to know too much about that to not have made that trip at least once!
:wink:
T2

And to get back on topic...I do my maintenance on a monthly rotational basis and just stocked up on my EB 10-46's!

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Post subject: Re: Guit-Fiddle Maintenance Day
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2015 7:30 pm
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Strat-Slinger wrote:
Like that Tele 8)
Great job on the restore :D
I see you used the "Flitz" polish on the hardware... I scoped the stuff out... looks like it may also be a decent polish for Poly Finishes?

I like the fact it's non-toxic.. non abrasive... non flammable... looks like a fantastic polish...
Anyone know if it's a good guitar polish on a polyurethane finish?


Flitz has long been used by car guys to revitalize brightwork on a car.

But, it's not truly non-abrasive. It is an uber-fine abrasive, almost like Jewelers Rouge suspended in a paste.

As good as Flitz is on metal, I wouldn't be inclined to use it on Poly or Nitro despite their claims, and I certainly wouldn't recommend it to others. If you want to try it, test it first under the pickguard to be sure it's safe.

I'd go with a dedicated guitar polish. My personal favorite is StewMac's Preservation Polish.

Image

It contains mild abrasives like sodium bicarbonate (aka Baking Soda) which break down into ever smaller particles as it works eliminating swirl marks. Also, it is suspended in a liquid containing mineral spirits which will help dissolve old wax, dirt, stains. Best of all, it contains no silicones which can wreck a guitar's finish.

The only downside is you have to shake it almost until your arm falls off before use to maximize it's effectiveness. But it works very well and is especially kind to Nitro finishes. It has an extremely loyal following amongst professional Luthiers too.

cheers!

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'11 FSR Am. Vtg. Ltd. Ed. CAR '57 Stratocaster (SN# LE02639)
'14 American Deluxe Ash Stratocaster
'12 Telebration Empress Telecaster
'99 Deluxe Nashville Telecaster
'12 FSR Telecaster HH
'10 Heritage H-535
'99 Martin DC-1E
'13 Lanikai Tenor Ukulele


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