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Post subject: How to spruce up a neglected Strat?
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2013 5:59 am
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Location: Melbourne, AUS
Hi there, after buying my first Strat about a month ago, a new MIJ Vintage White and falling in love with this guitar, I have bought 2 used MIMs, one of which needs some refreshing and I wondered what the best approach was to replacing or restoring the various parts. I can see myself buying Strats, doing them up and then reselling them. Not for money, doubt there'll be any return, just for the enjoyment of bringing them back to what they should be.

Things that need attention:
Input socket - it has tarnish spots on it and the nut that holds the round connector is oxidised
Bridge - lots of tarnish spots and looks a bit gummed up
Frets - Dirty and rough to the touch, lots of built up muck along the frets (maple fretboard)
Machine heads - some are stiff to turn
Various screws - many are rusty or tarnished (scratchplate, pickups etc.)

One of the things I'd like to know is whether there is any consideration given to replacing worn or rusty parts with non-genuine replacements. For example, the various screws on the front of the guitar body, I would imagine that as long as the pitch of the thread and profile of the head was a good match, they wouldn't have to be 'Fender' screws. I know we're only talking about a standard MIM here, I feel more comfortable cutting my teeth dolling-up a $300 guitar rather than a $2000 one. I can get to that later.

I think the tarnish will polish off the input and the bridge no problem. What's a good polish to use for those shiny bits?

For the neck, I don't want to use anything to clean it that is going to adversely affect the wood and finish. What's best?

Machine heads - what do you guys recommend there in terms of lube and applying it?

There are I imagine, going to be certain Strats that you would not want to clean, update or otherwise mess with due to their vintage or rarity. What factors/identifiers would prompt you to decide to leave a Strat exactly as it was?

Cheers

Paul


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Post subject: Re: How to spruce up a neglected Strat?
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2013 6:01 am
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Post subject: Re: How to spruce up a neglected Strat?
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2013 12:49 pm
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Old strats should look old, every thing else should like it's on the way to getting old :D

I'd just free up the tuners and ungunk the board a bit. I like all hardware to look nice and used.


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Post subject: Re: How to spruce up a neglected Strat?
Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2013 7:01 am
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Hi plefevre, I have over 40 guitars, almost all bought used and brought to pristine condition using WD40, 3 in 1, and Never Dull on all the hardware... remove first. Naphtha is great for cleaning anything on the guitar. Use it to clean the fretboard followed by mineral oil, if it's rosewood. You also need some contact cleaner. Scratch X and then Garlitz guitar wax will do wonders for the finish. Sometimes I replace all or just some of the screws, trying to keep everything looking consistent with everything else on the guitar. Have fun!


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Post subject: Re: How to spruce up a neglected Strat?
Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2013 12:57 pm
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Joined: Sat Sep 21, 2013 2:43 am
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Location: Melbourne, AUS
Thanks guys for your tips. I'll need to see if I can find those products here in AUS and if not, their equivalents. My journey begins!

Cheers

Paul


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Post subject: Re: How to spruce up a neglected Strat?
Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2013 10:57 am
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I love to fix up older guitars, cars, almost anything. But I do like the aged looks that actually comes with age. Maybe polish it, ungunk the board and clean up the tuners and call it a day.

Post some pics up if you can, I would be interested in the before and after.


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