Care Tips for the vintage acoustics

Log Out | Topics | Search Moderators | Edit Profile

Author Message Russellw Username: Russellw Registered: 11-2001 Posted on Monday, December 26, 2005 - 5:47 am:    30 years on and still going strong I've been busy of late pulling apart the acoustic collection to do a little bit of maintenance so that they continue to be good reliable players well into the future. In doing so I came across a number of common issues that I've seen on several ealy model Ibanez acoustics as have others judging by the oft cited issues here. I thought it might be handy to mention a couple of these along with some general care tips that apply equally to the hollow bodied electrics as well. Bridges One of the most common faults with the early acoustics (and not just Ibanez ones) is lifting of the bridge particularly on the edge facing the soundhole. Causes are numerous but can include too heavy a string gauge, drying out of the adhesive with age and tunings other than standard pitch. As long as the actual laminate top (where applicable) hasn't started to seperate the fix is a relatively simple one which requires the use of a mild heat gun or solvent to soften the remaining adhesive, preparation of the surface underneath and the application of new adhesive to reattach the bridge. Ideally a small G clamp with rubber ends should be placed either end of the bridge during the bonding time but not overly tightened to avoid denting the timbers. In cases where the laminate has started to seperate the repair is somewhat more difficult and will depend on the degree of seperation. If it is mild a light sanding to remove the loose material and to level the bridge surface may well be sufficient but in more severe cases it may be necessary to cut and shape a strip of the correct material and bond this in place to ensure a smooth surface with which to reattach the bridge. Tuners Some of the earlier open tuners fitted to some models have become a bit tired by now and I've seen a lot that were practically useless for fine tuning due to either wear or seizure. There is no quick fix but some seized ones can be brought back to life by disassembly (where necessary) and a good long soak in WD40 or a similar penetrating lubricant. It is possible to buy replacement cogs for the Schaller style tuners but it's a fiddly job at best and they weren't all that good to start with anyway. A number of the original tuners are still available as a straight swap and this is often the best solution. Care There are a few things that can be done to keep this instruments going for many more years: 1. Rememember that humidity is the enemy of all timber - keep them in a case with a dehumidifier or in a dehumidified room. If neither are available then try to maintain a steady room temperature for as much of the time as possible to mimise the impact. 2. All strings ain't equal. The key to preservation of these instruments is LIGHT gauge strings to avoid placing strain on the bridge and neck. As part of this ensure that tunings don't place uneven strain across the bridge or neck (like a D tuning does)and avoid higher than standard tunes. It's what capos were invented for. 3. Have the neck professionally checked every now and then - without care I've seen examples where they were irreperably damaged over time. 4. Regular cleaning with a reputable product such as the Jim Dunlop and Dr Ducks not only maintain a nice finish but add protectants to the surface that will keep them looking better for longer. It's 40 minutes work to unstring, clean and restring a guitar and well worth the effort. Cheers Russ Roadartstar Username: Roadartstar Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 - 12:25 am:    Acoustic guitars should be humidified not dehumidified (Causes dryness and sinking of your acoustic top and bridge lifting among other things) Kyser sound hole cover humdifiers for use in your case are very good acoustics need a drink especially when heat is cranked up(dry air)during the winter months. happy Holidays! Russellw Username: Russellw Registered: 11-2001 Posted on Wednesday, December 28, 2005 - 3:37 am:    Thanks for the correction Roadartstar - what I was actually trying to say was to maintain control of the humidity levels - too much (as we have in the tropics here) is equally as bad as not enough! Cheers Russ Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Wednesday, December 28, 2005 - 12:32 pm:    Russell and Roadartstar: Thanks for the valuable tips! JohnS Roadartstar Username: Roadartstar Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Wednesday, December 28, 2005 - 3:51 pm:    You are welcome hi Russ im in New England so its cold and Dry here in the winter so it does depend on your climate to! I agree Humidity control is most important! Cheers and Happy New Years! Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Wednesday, December 28, 2005 - 11:20 pm:    Russellw another cause of bridge lifting is some manufacturers actually glued the bridge to the top after the finish was applied which causes lousy adhesion to start and is bound to lift just from normal A440 string pressure. As far as humidity levels go solid woods are more vulnerable then laminates are.

Add Your Message Here Post: -Color- Black Red Green Blue Yellow Purple Orange Cyan Gray White -Font- Arial Courier Symbol Times Verdana -Size- Smallest (-2) Small (-1) Normal Large (+1) Largest (+2) Enter Item number: Username: Posting Information: This is a private posting area. Only registered users and moderators may post messages here. Password: Options: Enable HTML code in message Automatically activate URLs in message Action: