Cleaning Up an Old Gibson
Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 5:22 am
An acquaintance has lent me a 1967 Gibson ES-335 for a while and I thought I would clean it up for him. He actually found it on his rounds when he used to be a trash collector, abandoned on the curb in its hardshell case. He always thought it was a 50's model, but the serial number told me a different story. There is extensive water damage on the lower third, as if it had been standing up in a basement flood. The wood by the bridge was compromised and has sagged inward somewhat. Even so, despite the warping and the ugly water staining, the bridge adjusts high enough to keep the strings perfectly straight along the fretboard. Intonation is spot on and it plays and sounds just killer. A beat up old warhorse with excellent action and tone.
Since he was generous enough to lend it to me I wanted to bring it back looking better. I figured I could clean up his fretboard with Dr. Stringfellow and was hoping Zymol would brighten up the body somewhat. Is that appropriate for this guitar? Any different or further suggestions?
Thanks.
Since he was generous enough to lend it to me I wanted to bring it back looking better. I figured I could clean up his fretboard with Dr. Stringfellow and was hoping Zymol would brighten up the body somewhat. Is that appropriate for this guitar? Any different or further suggestions?
Thanks.
