When do you retire an old guitar?

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Author Message Strat78 Username: Strat78 Registered: 05-2005 Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 8:55 am:    Another question I have is whether it is wise to keep playing an old guitar on a regular basis. My destroyer was built in October 1976. The neck joint at the heal is solid but the guitar suffered major trauma to the headstock leaving a small crack bellow the nut under the E string. This crack seems to not adversely effect the strength of the neck which remains straight and solid. My question is (aside from the crack), how long do these old guitars stay glued together? Will playing them all the time end up shaking them apart or is it good to keep them in service. I can't put my Destroyer down I adore it so much. It has a dynamic tone that you just don't hear allot these days. Will this be a case of loving something to death literally? Funkle Username: Funkle Registered: 12-2001 Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 3:56 pm:    I would think with proper mainatence and occasional refrets, you could keep a guitar going for a long time. I think wiping the guitar down after used and storing it safely would be helpful. Aside from any structural failures caused by trauma, it should last as long as you. If you really like the guitar that much, I'd consider getting that crack fixed before it turns into something worse. Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Thursday, June 09, 2005 - 10:46 am:    I'd add that temperature and humidity changes can deteriorate a guitar prematurely. Keep guitars out of hot and dry (car trunks and attics) or cold and damp places (basements). If you live in an environment that is either very dry or very humid, figure out how to minimize the guitar's exposure to these elements. In short, treat your guitar like fine furniture and it will last a very long time. BTW, a pro musician who has to travel with his instruments just doesn't have the luxury to follow this advice. Their gigging instruments will need much more maintenance. Even so, they will not last as long without substantial repair work. Funkle Username: Funkle Registered: 12-2001 Posted on Thursday, June 09, 2005 - 11:33 am:    "In short, treat your guitar like fine furniture and it will last a very long time." Just be careful when you sit on it Yes, touring and gigging kills a guitar. When did Eric Clapton retire Blackie? was it 10 years ago? It had reached the point where it couldn't be repaired any more. But that was his main axe for 20 years or so. I'm not sure of the vintage, but it probably had some miles before EC got it. Strat78 Username: Strat78 Registered: 05-2005 Posted on Thursday, June 09, 2005 - 11:54 am:    "In short, treat your guitar like fine furniture and it will last a very long time." -"Just be careful when you sit on it" Wait you guys, I always tell the kids: NO JUMPING ON THE GUITARS!! But kids will be kids. -Don't worry, I always use coasters. Thanks for the tips. I think humidity will be a big factor where I live. Are there luthiers that can stabilize hair line cracks? How do they do that without messing up the original finish? Funkle Username: Funkle Registered: 12-2001 Posted on Thursday, June 09, 2005 - 12:09 pm:    Here is a very nice tutorial: http://www.ibanezrules.com/tech/setup/crack_neck.htm It depends on if you want the crack to completely disapear. The finish could probably be left alone if you just cleanly glue the crack. Or you could come in and refinish the repaired section of the neck. This is where an experienced luthier will come in handy. -Sven Strat78 Username: Strat78 Registered: 05-2005 Posted on Thursday, June 09, 2005 - 1:36 pm:    Thanks Sven! This is very helpful. Jim_donahue Username: Jim_donahue Registered: 04-2004 Posted on Thursday, June 30, 2005 - 12:07 am:    Never, If you like it and it plays keep it if you need a major repair go for it. Or when it becomes beyond repair. Jim Flatbag Username: Flatbag Registered: 09-2004 Posted on Monday, July 18, 2005 - 10:21 am:    I think you should retire the Destroyer immediately. And since humidity is a problem for you, you can ship it to me where there's no humidity, so it won't deteriorate any further. I won't let the kids jump on it, and I'll use coasters too. It will be happy here. I will be happy too.

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