Jay
Joined:
02 Aug 2007
Posts: 77
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 Posted: 08/08/2007 at 11:47 AM Post subject: Questions: Smelling case and Scratches to Guitar |
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Hello fellow Bean-heads, I would like some advice.
I just received my first Bean, and now I have some questions that I'd like to ask. The first is about the case.
- The case has seen better days. The stitching is missing in some places - I think that the structural integrity of the case is intact - so I am wondering if I should have this fixed and if so, does this change the value of the case? Also, it looks like the was a leak of some sort. This discoloration to the inside is concentrated only to one side of the case, and has become smelly! I would say that overall, this discolored area is about 1/8 of the entire inside case - I am more concerned with the smell then I am with the discoloration.
- There is some minor wear to the backside or the guitar (not to the electronics cover but to the metal where the neck attaches to the body), I am wondering if I should try to buff this out or just leave it? I don't want to do anything to devalue the guitar, this is why I ask advice. In all honesty, I am torn between leaving these imperfections (they give the guitar it's personality) or spending time trying to make her look, cosmetically, gleaming and beautiful. Any advice/opinions?
Cheers, and thanks in advance for any help/suggestions...
Jay
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guitarcharlie
Joined:
06 Jan 2008
Posts: 250
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| Posted: 08/08/2007 at 2:36 PM Post subject: RE:Questions: Smelling case and Scratches to Guit |
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Typically with vintage guitars it is best to leave them alone, unless payability is affected (ie frets, tuners, bridge, etc) Character always wins in my book...nothing worse than a refin. Polishing aluminum is a special situation I suppose...not sure without seeing it but I would probably leave it alone.
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admin
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| Posted: 08/08/2007 at 2:46 PM Post subject: RE:Questions: Smelling case and Scratches to Guit |
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Is the interior of the case that green foam? Is it a anvil case or a Fender style case? If it's the foam/anvil, those are notorious for breaking down and actually bonding to the guitar..bad.. very bad. A friend of mine has a TB4000 wedge that had that, luckily the bass wasn't damaged, but the foam completely disintegrated. If you're talking about the Fender style case (probably red lining), that should hold up fine.. and is a non-issue with the bonding.
My Bean came with the original Fender style case, one of the latches was broken, the handle was 'suspect' and the overall structure was somewhat loose. Instead of ditching the case, I made sure I held on to it.. no modifications, etc. But what I did was had a new case built for my Bean. Now the case is bomb proof and protects that guitar very nicely. If for some unbelievable reason (I'd have to be on my death bed or something), I decided to sell that Bean, I could offer that case as part of the deal keeping the 'original' factor tied with the guitar.
I totally agree with guitarcharlie on the refinish and polish. These are old guitars. Guitars which were meant to be played.. and played hard and often in my opinion. They're going to get dings and scratches, and that's just the nature of the game.. so I would take care of it, but not worry too much the condition. The case is important, since if your case fails.. you cause serious damage to the guitar.
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Jay
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02 Aug 2007
Posts: 77
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| Posted: 08/08/2007 at 3:26 PM Post subject: RE:Questions: Smelling case and Scratches to Guit |
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Hello,
Thanks for the replies! In response to the case, it is a Fender style case with the red lining. Just to reiterate, I shouldn't do anything to the case (not even to the mildew smell)? And now for the body/neck. What are your guys' opinions about the repair section of the site - use of Turtlewax and Nevr-Dull? Should I use these products just to "maintain" the guitar's current condition, i.e., do not buff the imperfections rather clean the aluminum and wax the body?
Thanks again,
Jay
PS Admin: Where did you get your case made? May I have the contact info?
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admin
Joined:
01 Jun 2001
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| Posted: 08/08/2007 at 4:11 PM Post subject: RE:Questions: Smelling case and Scratches to Guit |
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You know.. I wish I kept that info.. I can't remember. It was a case outfit out of New York. I had to draw them a template of the guitar, etc. I picked the wood and hardware, etc. It was like a ton, but it's quality. Another option is to contact EGC (Kevin B) and see what cases work. I believe certain Washburn cases will work, etc. That route will definitely be cheaper. My case cost a bit.
Sorry I don't have more info (bought the case before I started the site).
Thanks!
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guitarcharlie
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| Posted: 08/08/2007 at 7:47 PM Post subject: RE:Questions: Smelling case and Scratches to Guit |
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Yikes!...don't wax anything! Just clean it carefully if you must with a damp soft cloth and some careful rubbing. Any polishing, buffing or waxing of the laquer finish will devalue it. The process of polishing etc actually removes a bit of the finish and evens out imperfections such as weather checking etc and waxing adds a residue....this is definately NOT a good idea... Again: the aluminum may be a special situation, but unless it is really bad I would leave it alone also.
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Jay
Joined:
02 Aug 2007
Posts: 77
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| Posted: 08/08/2007 at 8:26 PM Post subject: RE:Questions: Smelling case and Scratches to Guit |
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Awesome! I was confused because on the "repair" section of the site, there is an article about Turtle Wax and Nevr-Dull. I think that it is better to do nothing, leave well enough alone, then to mess with activities I know nothing about and possibly damage the guitar.
What about the mildew smell that is coming from the case? Admin suggested contacting EGC, which I did, about making a good case for lugging this beast around from gig to gig. I am going to store the case but I rather not smell that smell - I'll leave it alone if it means devaluing the overall value of the guitar.
Thanks GuitarCharlie again for all your help,
Jay
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Kevin
Joined:
16 Mar 2007
Posts: 147
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| Posted: 08/08/2007 at 9:57 PM Post subject: RE:Questions: Smelling case and Scratches to Guit |
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Use Mothers Billet aluminum polish on the neck. Its the best stuff and far better than Never Dull. Also theres are many wonderful polishes that dont have harsh abrasives that will work just fine. 3M makes alot of really good finish polishes(Swirl mark remover) as well a Meguires.
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