Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

G'day all,

I've experienced the well-documented CV-dissolving guitar-stand issue and had it fixed up.. and now I have been faced with the dreaded guitar-stand induced amber stain. It has only occured on three guitars, each with white binding. These guitars have been on the same stand for years (literally - though they do get taken off to be played) without issue, then the 5-year-long drought broke, the humidity quadrupled as el nino became la nina and the stains appeared at the end of the guitars, particularly on the white binding. Oddly the binding on my 4001 and my LP has not been affected.

I searched the forum and found lots of interesting info on UV light yellowing CV, but I haven't been able to track down information as to whether the problem can be rectified without any drastic action such as a total refin. Frankly, I can live with a bit of stain if I have to (it actually adds yet more character to the Trini), but if there is a relatively easy fix, I'd love to give it a shot.

Your sagacious advice would be greatly appreciated!

Well, you mention a Trini...that would be a '66? If it is an old TL, we're talking old nitrocellulose, and if you haven't owned it since new, it's hard to tell what it's been through, finish-wise...

What you are seeing is leaching (again). It's the colorant in the rubber or foam (cheaper stands use cheaper cushioning material), commonly known as "lamp black", or "soot", which in tiny concentrations appears brown or brownish. The penetration was assisted by traces of sulphur remaining in the rubber (if it is rubber cushioning) or other compounds if it is not rubber, activated by the excess humidity in the air.

Unfortunately, I know of no remedy short of a finish-strip and re-shoot. It is sometimes possible (especially with nitro) to spot-refinish and blend the area once the stained nitro has been sanded back. See your luthier and YMMV.

Many thanks Paul! I suspected that this was the case but I'd rather have the opinion of an expert than rely on my own half-informed opinion!

As an aside, the Trini is a much-abused '66/67 - Gibson dating for this period is very inexact - that a previous owner refinished a lovely surf-green, which probably is in nitro. It is due for a refin sometime soon anyway - the surf green has reacted with many years of nicotine to take on a rather sickly hue.

Strangely, I use the same brand of stands for all my guitars and only three have been affected. However, these three are on the same stand, which is suggestive, as Holmes would say. It's probable that this stand has the sulphur traces you mention. I've inserted thick cotton cloth (old pillow cases doubled several times) over the padding for the time being until I can replace it.