Finish repair

[neilium]

Hi, out of lurk mode for one question:

A friend of mine brought over his '61 ES-125 that's been stashed away for the past 20 or so years. He wanted me to fix the electronics. Well, nothing wrong at all with the electronics at all, in fact, the guitar is in great shape. All it needs is some cleaning and fresh strings. Except for this on the back of the neck:

...and on the headstock:

That black gunk is the flocking from the chipboard case this guitar has been sitting in for 2 decades. It's not caked on; the finish is actually dissolved, and that stuff is embedded.

I don't have the eggs to try and repair the finish on this guitar. I'm taking it to a pro. I'd like to know what to expect: how would you approach this repair?

 

[AutoBat]

According to the serial number on a search I ran, (and if it's US made) it was made in the Kalamazoo or Nashville Plant , USA, approximately in: 1974 or 1975.

I like older instruments getting fixed up. The life/battle wounds have better mojo than a fresh axe.

 

[dmraco]

either leave it...does not seem to be an option on the back of the neck...or...

Lightly sand trying not to remove the color...naptha...and hit with some nitro...

 

[big bob]

there was no nashville plant in 1974..  as for the gunk easy fix with naptha and wet sand paper I would start with 600 grit and go from there.. hold on... I would try buffing out with a buffing wheel and rubbing compound first...

 

[-CB-]

there was no nashville plant in 1974..  as for the gunk easy fix with naptha and wet sand paper I would start with 600 grit and go from there.. hold on... I would try buffing out with a buffing wheel and rubbing compound first...

Actually... the Nashville line was up and running in  74.  Not 100 percent, but running. 

I'd go for Naphtha first, before any sanding or scraping or whatever.  Get the gunk off.

If the lacquer has melted from contact with gassing out plastics (or glues in the case), then you're pretty much screwed, unless you do a total refin.  However, you can clean it up with Naphtha, then... you might want to try some amalgamator on it.  You "may" be able to save it via amalgamation and then doing some brush work with dyed lacquer and some clear coat lacquer.  Maybe. 

www.frets.com has whole boatload of information for exactly what you've got

 

[neilium]

Thank you for the info. I've tried naptha, which got the gunk off of the tuners but hasn't done a thing to the gunk that has eaten the finish. I'll try buffing it out next. In your opinions, would the ugly stains be forgivable if the neck felt smooth?

The shame is the rest of the guitar looks so good.

As far as dating the instrument: Error of omission on my part; it is an ES-125TC, which were made 1960-1970. The nut width is 1 5/8", which (according to http://home.provide.net/~cfh/gibson.html#specs) puts it at 1965-67. My friend is the original owner and is the one who called it a '61. He can be forgiven for shifting dates around a few years because he has great taste in beer. I didn't think to question the date because he kept giving me beer.

 

[-CB-]

You might want to try.... water.

Flocking should come off fairly easily.  I can see in the picture that the neck has some finsh craters (look on the right side of the main damage). 

Try digging your fingernail into the finish.  If you nail goes into the finish like its going into old chewing gum or putty... there's no real saving it.  The nice thing is - you can refin the neck, and it will just about be a perfect match for the rest.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

As far as dating the instrument: Error of omission on my part; it is an ES-125TC, which were made 1960-1970. The nut width is 1 5/8", which (according to http://home.provide.net/~cfh/gibson.html#specs) puts it at 1965-67. My friend is the original owner and is the one who called it a '61. He can be forgiven for shifting dates around a few years because he has great taste in beer. I didn't think to question the date because he kept giving me beer.

I even more confused.  He's the original owner of a 1965-67 that he says is '61?  When did he get it?  

 

[neilium]

I even more confused.  He's the original owner of a 1965-67 that he says is '61?  When did he get it?  

In order for the math to work you need to drink beer with this guy. I think we can all cut him some slack if his recollections from the 60's are a little disorganized.

I will try some water on the headstock tomorrow. The finish around the blobs is hard. I hope that's good news.

Thanks again.