Cleaning up a guitar

Balog · #1 02-02-2012, 09:54 AM

I do a lot of Craig's List wheeling and dealing as a hobby, and I recently acquired an older Ibanez RG550 guitar. Seem to be in decent condition, but it has some issues I need to address before I resell it. I'm debating taking it in to a pro and not worrying about it, and just jumping in and doing it myself. I thought I'd poll the hive to see how much work I'd be getting myself in for.

The big issues, aside from general dirtyness and some paint chips and dings are light rust on a number of the metal part (exposed pole pieces on the pickups, the screws on the bridge etc) and the piece on the back that covers the springs that work on the tremolo whammy bar thingy is missing. Shouldn't be hard to fab up a new cover from sheet plastic, and I'm guessing if I pull the screws I can scrub the rust off easily enough. But will buffing the pole pieces on the pickups damage them? Any idea what it'd cost to just take it to a reputable shop here on Seattle and have them clean it up? What about having it repainted, would that add enough value to be worth while?

MakiSupaStar · #2 02-02-2012, 09:55 AM

Pics would help

stratovani · #3 02-02-2012, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Balog

I do a lot of Craig's List wheeling and dealing as a hobby, and I recently acquired an older Ibanez RG550 guitar. Seem to be in decent condition, but it has some issues I need to address before I resell it. I'm debating taking it in to a pro and not worrying about it, and just jumping in and doing it myself. I thought I'd poll the hive to see how much work I'd be getting myself in for.

The big issues, aside from general dirtyness and some paint chips and dings are light rust on a number of the metal part (exposed pole pieces on the pickups, the screws on the bridge etc) and the piece on the back that covers the springs that work on the tremolo whammy bar thingy is missing. Shouldn't be hard to fab up a new cover from sheet plastic, and I'm guessing if I pull the screws I can scrub the rust off easily enough. But will buffing the pole pieces on the pickups damage them? Any idea what it'd cost to just take it to a reputable shop here on Seattle and have them clean it up? What about having it repainted, would that add enough value to be worth while?

Depends on how much you paid for it, and how much you're expecting to get for it when you sell it. I'm thinking that it's not a rare or vintage guitar, so in all likelihood you may not recoup your investment if you go out and get it painted. If it was me I'd just try to clean it up best I could, restring it, set the action and intonation, make sure everything works like it should, and sell it.

As far as the pickup pole pieces go, try some Scotchbrite. It's made of nylon, so it shouldn't damage the polepieces.

Balog · #4 02-02-2012, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

Pics would help

Just got it last night, but I'll take some tonight.

Balog · #5 02-02-2012, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stratovani

Depends on how much you paid for it, and how much you're expecting to get for it when you sell it. I'm thinking that it's not a rare or vintage guitar, so in all likelihood you may not recoup your investment if you go out and get it painted. If it was me I'd just try to clean it up best I could, restring it, set the action and intonation, make sure everything works like it should, and sell it.

As far as the pickup pole pieces go, try some Scotchbrite. It's made of nylon, so it shouldn't damage the polepieces.

I got it in trade. Seems like decent condition ones gor for $5-600 and pristine for $1200 on ebay. How much does a repainting cost, on average?

runmikeyrun · #6 02-02-2012, 04:23 PM

I think Scotchbrite will scratch the plastic parts of the pickup. In fact, I know it will. You can get something called Naval Jelly at a hardware store. It will be expensive, but a dab on each pole piece with a Qtip will dissolve the rust no prob. Just don't get it on the plastic. Take one of the screws with you to the hardware stores and get new ones, you'll never get the old ones clean and shiny.

You could also try Chrome Cleaner for cars/motorcycles on the pole pieces if you have some.

Bloodhammer · #7 02-02-2012, 04:27 PM

Just leave it as it is and sell it for $3000 as a relic. *ducks*

nashvillebill · #8 02-02-2012, 05:03 PM

I wouldn't pay $600 for an Ibanez RG550, assuming it had a decent original finish...if it were repainted, that value would go way down IMHO unless the finish were professionally done--in which case it still would be no more than $600 again IMO.

These are good guitars but hardly masterpieces or collectors items, again IMO. Dunno how ebay folks are actually getting 1200.

i_got_a_mohawk · #9 02-03-2012, 05:22 AM

RG550? Weren't they pretty middle of the road guitars?

I'm pretty sure a friend of mine has one, I'm also pretty sure they were less than that new and don't think they have that much of a following?

Prestige series RG's, maybe, but not a regular one I don't think.

You can usually get the covers for peanuts online, but if you can fabricate one, that'd be cheaper.

My mates one is chipped in a few places too, one of the problems with it having shaper corners from front to side to back.

Ditto with the rust issues. You should be able to clean that up without damaging the pickups tho.

Balog · #10 02-03-2012, 11:47 AM

The new RG550's are not as valuable, the mid eighties early nineties models seem to be more valuable based on some internet research.

i_got_a_mohawk · #11 02-03-2012, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Balog

The new RG550's are not as valuable, the mid eighties early nineties models seem to be more valuable based on some internet research.

Ah right, that, I couldn't have told you. I was only familiar with the 00's era RGs.

Balog · #12 02-03-2012, 02:18 PM

Here's a link to a quick set of pics I snapped this morning to hopefully demonstrate what I mean. RG550 - a set on Flickr

**line6man** · #13 02-03-2012, 04:22 PM

A refinish job will run you $300-$400, and probably add no value to the guitar.

Personally, I wouldn't even worry about the trem spring cover. Half the time people take them off of their guitars and lose them, anyways. If a buyer does want a cover, he/she can get one on eBay for a few dollars.

Bloodhammer · #14 02-03-2012, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Balog

Here's a link to a quick set of pics I snapped this morning to hopefully demonstrate what I mean. RG550 - a set on Flickr

That licensed Floyd looks pretty yukky, but the rest of it ain't that bad.

I'd replace the trem and keep it. But that's just me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by line6man

Personally, I wouldn't even worry about the trem spring cover. Half the time people take them off of their guitars and lose them, anyways. If a buyer does want a cover, he/she can get one on eBay for a few dollars.

I always leave mine off because the stupid trem fluctuates from dead center and has to be adjusted about twice a year to sit level with the body. I hate old Floyd Rose systems.

**line6man** · #15 02-03-2012, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bloodhammer

That licensed Floyd looks pretty yukky, but the rest of it ain't that bad.

I'd replace the trem and keep it. But that's just me.

Yeah, I find the Licensed Floyd a bit off-putting. A real Floyd will cost a good bit of money, though. Probably more than it's worth investing in. You can get Floyd copies for $75 or so, however. I don't know how good they are, though.