Quote:
Originally Posted by Black Jade Stingray
I also agree that the guitars in question need to be checked out by a professional. I play them and do minor maintenance and repairs.....nothing heavy though. It's easy to screw it up if you don't have the knowledge and training under your belt. Any guy in the back of a music shop can help you. It's his job and most times is more than qualified.
One important thing to remember is that many guitar necks are serial numbered. Any major repair requiring a complete neck replacement will alter the original guitar. If one is salvageable they will always go that route. Hate to replace a neck on an all original '57 Fender Stratocaster or '59 Gibson Les Paul......etc...
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This can be tricky.
Vintage instruments: DO NOT attempt to fix anything on a vintage guitar, including re-fretting.
DO NOT paint, sand, or varnish anything on a vintage guitar. For simplistic purposes, a vintage guitar is one made prior to 1970. These would include guitars built by Gibson, Fender, Gretsch, Guild, Moserite, and Martin. These aren't the only manufacturers of guitars considered "vintage" and not every model made by these companies are considered "vintage", but it's a start. Anything other than re-stringing, bridge/saddle adjustments, minor truss-rod adjustments should be done by a professional, which brings up another point.
With regard to vintage instruments, not just any professional will do, including the original factory. There are techs out there that can make your guitar better than it ever was, but may destroy its antiquity (and value) in the process. The only place I would ever send anything vintage is:
Gruhn Guitars
At least I'd talk to them, and get a recommendation for someone within driving distance if you're concerned with sending something all the way to Nashville.
Modern high-end instruments. Strats, Teles, and other bolt-on neck guitars, you probably would just get a correct replacement neck from the manufacturer if it is beyond repair. Les Pauls have a neck-thru the body design and you'd almost have to send it back to the factory or factory recommended shop for the proper repairs.
Low-end instruments. Your local shop would probably do. Don't outspend the value of the instrument.
Why can't I get my well-worn vintage guitar refinished? Even a vintage guitar completely stripped of its original finish, fetches more dollars than the same one refinished with the proper paint and lacquer by a factory professional. I didn't make up the rules, that's the market. A modern instrument refinished by a professional with the correct paint and lacquer (or varnish), no problem I'm aware of - it's a used instrument.
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