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NBD! Clean-or-Return Thread

#41
It seems like everyone wants used pricing, but wants brand new condition. The Goo Gone should take care of the pickguard, the sticking volume pot is probably because the knob is too low on the pot. loosen the hex bolt or bolts on the side on the knob, put a cardboard shim or two under the knob and re-tighten. For the action, take it some where or get a few basic tools and do the setup yourself. YouTube will help with this.
 
#42
Hopefully you've had a chance to do a setup by now and know if that's going to work for your and as others have said to check the truss rod. I've used goo gone on pickguards with no problems so that should clean up nicely. Try some DeOxit on the troublesome pot and easy enough to replace if that doesn't work, but I've cleaned up some problem pots with DeOxit. Might just be the knob scraping pickguard too so remove knob and see if the pot turns okay and then put back on carefully. Might be an easy fix. If she plays well and sounds great sounds like a keeper! Congrats and enjoy your new bass!:thumbsup:
 
#43
The suspense is killing me. If OP returns the bass, I am wondering how much guilt trip we'll pile on? What if the naughty housemates or dogs or AI Roomba replaced the goo gone with paint stripper. Or the WD40 is brake cleaner. Or if the truss rod has reached its end and not mendable with washers or if the knob set screw is rounded off.

Better put some smileys :D :D - 2 is good. I hope.
 
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#47
Buster Brown said:
I always wondered however, why the teenagers at GC don't seem to be able to clean up (as much as possible) an instrument that they have taken in trade.....
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I've always wondered why the person bringing it in, looking for maximum trade value, doesn't do at least a quick cleaning? Seeing a bass hanging on the wall at GC with 5-10 years of gunk built up on it just confused me to no end.

My local Music Go Round is really good about cleaning stuff up before it goes on display, and I take some pride in the fact they've put a few of my basses right onto the wall. And yes, I do believe I was able to negotiate a better trade value because of it.
 
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#51
Buster Brown said:
I think thou must have skipped the numeral two.............I always wondered however, why the teenagers at GC don't seem to be able to clean up (as much as possible) an instrument that they have taken in trade.....
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Because it's an added labor cost that the buyer doesn't want to pay for. If someone cares that there is dust on the pickups and passes, someone else will buy the next day.
 
#53
UPDATE!
Goo Gone was the answer for the pickguard residue. I tested it on the back side and it caused no issue, so I applied it to the front. It took a little elbow grease, but the PG is looking great.

I've started a setup, but the truss needed quite a bit of added tension, so I'm giving it a little time to settle before continuing. I've never been sure if this is really best practice or just an old wives tale, but I like to err on the side of caution.
 
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#54
DoctorZee said:
It's NBD over here, with a pre-owned Sterling Ray34CA from Guitar Center's used site. Surprise, surprise, there are a few blemishes that couldn't be seen in GC's tiny blurry photo.

I'm starting this thread to gather some advice and document my journey as I dive deeper and decide whether to ultimately clean it up, or return it. It sounds great and the price was fair, so I am leaning toward keeping it, and wouldn't mind investing a small budget into giving it some TLC.

View attachment 4384227

Issue #1 is the pickguard, which was apparently plastered in stickers at one time (see image below). From searching old threads, it seems like WD-40 or Naphtha should do the trick. I may start by trying Goo Gone, since I think I have some on hand. I'd rather not have to buy a replacement, but that's an option, too. There's a general layer of funk on the body and neck, too, but a plain rag seems to be doing the trick there so far. Any other suggestions?

View attachment 4384229

Issue #2 is the volume pot, which feels like it kind of... sticks?... about 2/3 of the way down if I'm rolling it off. Like all of a sudden it hits some resistance. There's no audible noise, it just feels off. Any suggestions from the group on this?

Issue #3 is the action, but the neck looks straight and hopefully a quick home setup will take care of this.

Those are the only issues I've been able to find so far! Will they be easily fixed? Will I find more problems? Stay tuned to find out![/QUOTE

First off, go to the GC website and look at the ad. There will be a link that describes the condition of the bass. If the actual condition of the bass does not match how it was listed, I would go back to the store and show the manager discrepancy of it’s condition and ask for a discount. A good amount to ask for is a figure around the cost you paid to have it shipped to you.

This is fair as I’m pretty sure the manager does want to pay to have it shipped back to the store of origination if you decide to return it. You may just get store credit but if you’re like most of us, it will come in handy at sometime.
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#55
BassFalcon said:
WD-40 has absolutely no place on, in, or near instrument. There is a reason any high quality instrument polish advertises a silicone free formula. Naphtha is the correct answer.
Click to expand...

No doubt. Even if it works, WD-40 smells so bad, blech. Plus, for any use, there's always something that works better than WD-40, imo.
 
#56
DoctorZee said:
It's NBD over here, with a pre-owned Sterling Ray34CA from Guitar Center's used site. Surprise, surprise, there are a few blemishes that couldn't be seen in GC's tiny blurry photo.

I'm starting this thread to gather some advice and document my journey as I dive deeper and decide whether to ultimately clean it up, or return it. It sounds great and the price was fair, so I am leaning toward keeping it, and wouldn't mind investing a small budget into giving it some TLC.
Just spend a little time and clean it up & be done! There are a lot of filthy bargain to be found out in the wild! It baffles me why some sellers dont "present" their merchandise before showing them off for a sale! I bought my favorite #1 off a kid who stuck bumper stickers all over the front, like he was trying to cover up damage. I was nervous about buying, until he assured me it was just his political views! upon further review it was just stickers mysteriously covering up a beautiful finish! half a bottle of lighter fluid & elbow grease, It was Perfect! So I say clean it up & keep it!
View attachment 4384227

Issue #1 is the pickguard, which was apparently plastered in stickers at one time (see image below). From searching old threads, it seems like WD-40 or Naphtha should do the trick. I may start by trying Goo Gone, since I think I have some on hand. I'd rather not have to buy a replacement, but that's an option, too. There's a general layer of funk on the body and neck, too, but a plain rag seems to be doing the trick there so far. Any other suggestions?

View attachment 4384229

Issue #2 is the volume pot, which feels like it kind of... sticks?... about 2/3 of the way down if I'm rolling it off. Like all of a sudden it hits some resistance. There's no audible noise, it just feels off. Any suggestions from the group on this?

Issue #3 is the action, but the neck looks straight and hopefully a quick home setup will take care of this.

Those are the only issues I've been able to find so far! Will they be easily fixed? Will I find more problems? Stay tuned to find out!
Click to expand...
I usually do a deep cleaning on all of my newly acquired basses, new or used wouldnt trust anyone especially today(Covid). I learned to setup &do drop fills, even fret work, refurbing ebay finds & diamonds in the rough! A little elbow grease goes a long way,to fully restoring or bringing back to life a lost treasure!
 
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#57
When I deal with sticker goo I first try removing the sticky stuff with tape, gaffe tape works well since it's designed to not leave any goo of itself. Just stick the tape on the pickguard and pull off quickly, this should remove most without any chemicals.

Goo-Gone works as well but it's very oily and I found even on metal, hard to fully clean off without additional chemicals.
 
#58
Be careful. Solvents can damage stuff. Start with warm soap/water and a cotton cloth or microfiber. One of my favorite cleaning solutions is vinegar. I follow those steps before reaching for Methyl Ethyl Ketone!!!!
 

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