Introduction - New Guy Here - "Scottdog"

[Scottdog]

Hi, I'm the new guy on the block.

Currently live in Connecticut, soon to be moving to Texas.

I like to play guitars and ride motorcycles.
Not necessarily in that order.

Been out of touch with the fiddles for close to two decades now, due
to 100 some odd stitches in my left hand. I met this young lady
last spring that plays a bit and picked up one of her guitars for the
first time since the incident. Low and behold, to my surprise,
everything still works. Spending some time with her gave
me the itch to start playin' again. Sad part is, I sold
all my equipment some time ago. "Crap!"

So, as of late, I have acquired a couple of Guilds.
A 1996 D4 and 1975 D25.

I like them both and consistently trade back and forth between the two.

Now how about an opening question for the new guy:

When I play my D25 for a short time, the finish on the neck gets kind of sticky or chalky or grungy.
The finish was filthy on the whole guitar when I got it and I had to wipe it all down with a
damp cloth to clean it. For some reason the grunge keeps coming back on the neck.
When I wiped it down with the damp cloth, the finish would take on a flat,
cloudy look that buffed out, for the most part, with a dry polishing
cloth with a little effort. The finish did not respond well to
some Martin guitar polish. I'm thinking maybe the
previous owner used something on the
guitar that he shouldn't have.

So actually I have two questions:

Any thoughts on this condition I am experiencing?

And......

Any thoughts on polishing the finish like maybe wet sanding
and buffing it out or some other kind of treatment?

I certainly don't want to refinish it but I am curious about some way
to take out some of the scuffs a bit and freshen up the shine.

Thanks, SD

 

[killdeer43]

Re: Introduction - New Guy Here

Welcome Scottdog.

Excellent Guilds you have there right off the bat!
Just wait right there and all your questions will be answered.
Play one of those beauties while you wait.

I have to run to dinner! :wink:

You'll like it here,
Joe

 

[Jeff]

Re: Introduction - New Guy Here

Welcome,

While you're waiting for responses check out the search function in the upper right hand quadrant. There are likely many references, fool around with the search generally looking for polish/finish/cleaning & what not.

We have a member in New Zealand, bought a vintage Guild & had the devil's own time removing some unknown layer of goo. As I recall his symptoms were similar to yours.

Coastie is his handle, if he doesn't show up here soon look him up in the directory & shoot him a query.

Jeff

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

Re: Introduction - New Guy Here

Try Naphta [lighter fluid] to clean the grunge.
It worked great on my guitars.

 

[Scottdog]

Re: Introduction - New Guy Here

OK, so now I own a 1985 D-16 too. :shock:

Thanks GardMan, You had to run that thread.

I'm not right in the head!

 

[jgmaute]

Re: Introduction - New Guy Here

Welcome Scottdog. Excellent first post (and way to go to the young lady who got you back playing). You get extra credit for posting pictures. Fine looking Guilds. A lot of folks here have gotten good results with lighter fluid to clean unidentified grunge. You've landed on one of the best forums on the net, the main concern you'll have is how to fight off Guild Acquisition Syndrome, a common affliction around here. Otherwise, kick your shoes off and relax your mind. Joan

 

[Qvart]

Re: Introduction - New Guy Here

Try Naphta [lighter fluid] to clean the grunge.
It worked great on my guitars.

Yep, try that. But.......I've talked to a few people who have had the same problem with the finish on the neck of their Guilds from the late '70's. I had the same problem with my S300-A. Naptha seemed to work at first but after a few minutes of playing the grime was back. The problem was the finish coming off and that one went to the shop for a scraping and a fresh layer of nitro. If naptha doesn't do it I'd suggest taking it to a good luthier for diagnosis. Hope you have better luck with yours!

Looks like you're off to a great start. Welcome to the asylum!

 

[southernGuild]

Re: Introduction - New Guy Here

Welcome aboard here, SD.......You are in the right place. Great guitars and Photos too! Enjoy

 

[bluesypicky]

Re: Introduction - New Guy Here

Hi Scott, and welcome to LTG! You sure are on your way to nice "restart" with those guitars.
The D-25 is, in my view, one of (if not THE) most iconic Guild, and I know more than a few (including myself) who got drawn to the brand, eventually leading to an acute case of "GAS", by means of a D-25...
As far as your gooey issue, have you considered "goo gone"? I have used it with success and no damage on finish, on a top that had residue from what I think was an old price tag some genius had stuck there.
Good luck, take good care of them Guilds and keep us posted!

 

[Bikerdoc]

Re: Introduction - New Guy Here

Alright!!!!!!!!! Another motorcycle ridin' guitar picker. Welcome aboard SD. Great pics of your guitars on a very cool background. I never experienced the finish problem so I can't help there. But there is plenty of info about cleaning n' polishing around here.

Peace

 

[Scratch]

Re: Introduction - New Guy Here

Welcome to LTG Scottdog. Whereabouts in Texas?

 

[dapmdave]

Re: Introduction - New Guy Here

Welcome to LTG, scottdog. This is a great place for all things Guild, and all things about guitar playing in general. Nice pair of Guilds you have there!

Dave

 

[JerryR]

Re: Introduction - New Guy Here

Hi, I'm the new guy on the block.

I like to play guitars and ride motorcycles.
Not necessarily in that order.

Or at the same time....... :mrgreen:

Hi and welcome Scottdog - great taste in guitars :!:

 

[Brad Little]

Re: Introduction - New Guy Here

If you're willing to do a little work and do a semi-refinish yourself, you might try this. It is intended for turning a satin finish into a gloss, but I don't see any reason it wouldn't work on your problem. Maybe someone with more knowledge/experience can comment, I have a little knowledge about this, and, as they say, a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing!

Step 1...Start with steel wool (0000 grade). Use some pressure. Not too hard but at least enough to make it work. Use long strokes in an X so you're getting good coverage. The X action will cross the grain at a diagonal. End with long strokes going with the grain. The steel wool leaves small scratches.

Step 2...Next use *Meguiar's Scratch X*. This comes is a black squeeze tube. Go in a small circular motion with a damp cloth (cotton only). Take a 6" by 6" piece and fold the corners inward until its like a ball and you're holding a group of cloth ends. An old tee-shirt works great. Put the Meguiars on the applicator or cloth ball. The Scratch X will still leave little scratches but by now you can begin to see the finish starting to shine. Follow the directions as to how much surface to work on and when to wipe it off. Use a clean old tee-shirt as a wipe-off rag always moving to a clean section. You'll see right away what it does. After the little circles have been applied and the compound removed, reapply with the grain and rub off in-line with the grain. Sometimes you can stop there. Depends on how hard you pressed with step one and your technique.

Step 3...Next use Meguiar's * Step Two Deep Crystal System Polish* This comes in a maroon colored bottle . This is a finer rubbing compound. It'll get out the marks from all the previous work. Move in large X's. When it looks really good, then apply again with straight lines and remove with the grain. Again, follow the instruction about when to wipe off the excess as it is different than the * Scratch X *. Do the application and removal with the grain as many times as you feel necessary.

Step 4...Finally, if any marks don't come out with the *Meguiar's Step Two Deep Crystal System Polish*, use *Turtle Wax White Rubbing Compound* to get the final stubborn scratches out.

Brad

 

[Scottdog]

Re: Introduction - New Guy Here

Thanks all, for the warm salute during these blistering months we're having.

At about 2:00 o'clock this morning I did my taxes to see if buying that D16 hog top that GardMan posted a link to last night was in the cards.
One thing I have to say is, at least fiddles have a resale value if kept in decent condition. Not that selling them is ever a plan.

One guitar I really miss is my 1968 "patent applied for" Ovation Balladeer. Built like a real guitar before the advent
of the composites they used for their backs and the bolt on necks. It was very special.
The only Ovation I ever saw that the wood die-hards actually liked.
Only thing that helps me sleep at night is knowing
that $100 guitar brought back $1,500.

The early fiberglass back was sooo purdy.

Yep, try that. But.......I've talked to a few people who have had the same problem with the finish on the neck of their Guilds from the late '70's. I had the same problem with my S300-A. Naptha seemed to work at first but after a few minutes of playing the grime was back. The problem was the finish coming off and that one went to the shop for a scraping and a fresh layer of nitro. If naptha doesn't do it I'd suggest taking it to a good luthier for diagnosis. Hope you have better luck with yours!

Yes, it almost seems like the finish is coming off. Another question I'll soon be asking is for a luthier
recommendation in the northern Connecticut and/or Springfield, Massachusetts area.

Alright!!!!!!!!! Another motorcycle ridin' guitar picker. Welcome aboard SD. Great pics of your guitars on a very cool background. I never experienced the finish problem so I can't help there. But there is plenty of info about cleaning n' polishing around here.

My Indian is a far more fatal disease than the guitars..... Let me tell you.
It's become a very big part of my life.

Welcome to LTG Scottdog. Whereabouts in Texas?

The Dallas/Fort Worth area. The job would be in Bedford and I am looking at maybe Arlington to live.

 

[krysh]

Re: Introduction - New Guy Here

welcome.
great guitars, great bike and good luck with the finish.

 

[evenkeel]

Re: Introduction - New Guy Here

Welcome to LTG land.

Lots of good suggestions already. One additional comment re: steel wool. Be extra careful to get all the little steel wool shavings off the guitar before proceeding to step two. If any of those little devils get stuck in the wood, eventually they will rust and make a mess. I've not seen this happen on guitars but I have seen it in woodworking on boats, granted a more hostile environment. I like to use the "0000" scotch brite pad equivalent.

 

[Scottdog]

Re: Introduction - New Guy Here

....... I've not seen this happen on guitars but I have seen it in woodworking on boats, granted a more hostile environment..

Wooden boats?????????

 

[Brad Little]

Re: Introduction - New Guy Here

Wooden boats?????????

Yeah, you know, pre-Ovation boats
Brad

 

[GardMan]

Re: Introduction - New Guy Here

Hey SD,
Welcome to the asylum. Hope the D-16 works out for you... you have the start of a nice little collection. BTW... did anyone tell you that GAS was terminal? I started looking for my second Guild (actually, third... my wife had one also) in 2006, and look where I am now!

A couple of my '70s Guilds (including my D-25, which was where I first noticed it) have similar neck finish issues as yours... they start to feel a little "sticky" after playing them for awhile. I have cleaned them pretty well... and it still happens. My luthier/tech thinks it is just a characteristic of the finish. WHat I find a little odd is that my '74 D-25 has this issue, but its sister, a '74 G-37 has one of the slickest nicest necks in my little herd of Guilds. My own way of dealing with it is "less is more"... I just to keep an old (clean) diaper or cotton undershirt close by, and wipe the neck down when it starts to feel a little sticky. I think it is moisture from my hand reacting with the finish... and it has improved, but not gone away since I have had the guitar here in UT (even tho' I keep all my Guilds @ ~40% RH).

Anyway... welcome to LTG! Enjoy those Guilds! I look forward to an A/B comparison of the D-25 and D-16!
Dave