Finish Damage from Grommets

[Dave12]

I am the proud new owner of a Rickenbacker 360/12V64, Fireglo, vintage 1987. Just received it last week. It is virtually flawless, especially for a 23-year-old guitar. I have noticed that the finish seems discolored, or marred near the Toaster pickup grommets, which appear to be collapsed and deteriorating with age. I have ordered new grommets (and more for my 2002 381/12V69, in a pre-emptive strike), but I am wondering if the discoloration, or “loss of gloss,” can be buffed out or if something can be applied to hide the damage, if that’s what it is. Has anybody experienced this problem before? Has anyone seen it on restorations? Thanks for any advice you can provide.

[jdogric12]

There was a period of a few years where that happened. I didn't think it was as early as 87, I think its more 96ish, but maybe someone replaced the grommets at that time, or used non-RIC ones. I think the 02 should be ok, but you might as well get em since they're so cheap.

[grazioso]

i would say that it is part of ric ownership...some 1980's rubber gaskets under high-gains leave discoloration & dull/soft finish as well...it remains to be seen if 20 years from now those new grommets will not do the same...if you really really want to be safe replace them with felt buttons from your local crafts supply...it is my experience that the discoloration & finish changes on 20 year old instrument is something that some small touchup will not cure easily...so i would just leave it alone...if you ever had ric with marks from **** poor guitar stand you'd see - that's exactly same situation - if you catch it early on it can be buffed out, if it softens the finish deep enough it is just going and going and eating away so the easiest cure is perhaps to refinish the whole back of the neck ...i have not yet found chemical that would stabilize it back to its former hardeness...