Post by ux4484 on Jun 18, 2013 20:31:44 GMT -5
About the time I sold the Epi LP Jr, I was cleaning out the garage at the Mrs request. I had some car stereo equipment collecting dust. I decided to take it to a local pawn shop and sell it. Hanging on the wall was an Epiphone Dot Sunburst. It was filthy, dirt lines on the frets and pups. At first glance, I thought it was an old one. I asked to bring it down. It was coated with dust, and I couldn't wipe the lines off the pups. All the controls spun. Still, action was low, it had a straight neck, the frets were dirty and slightly oxidized, but not very worn. There was a nick on the neck, about two inches down from the headstock (looks like it hit and skidded in a sharp edge, only the finish was damaged). I tuned it up and played it. I was floored. Even with ancient filthy strings, it played fantastic with nary a buzz anywhere on the neck. A peek in the F hole and a quick google search told me the Dot was from China: Dec 2008 #119. The price tag said $349, and I told him they sell new for $399. He waved me down, and looked on the tag and said the reduced tag had fallen off. He found it on the floor behind the counter... $209!
I've played a lot of these, especially the Studios (because that's more my price range). I've also played Gibson 335's... That didn't play as nice as this dirty guitar. I took it home and immediately went to town on it. For old dirty guitars, I used to use Murphy's oil soap first, I now use Unscented baby wipes, as they are gentle and have just enough fabric to clean fretboards perfectly without soaking or scratching them. They also take up the dirt so the dirt doesn't scratch the finish. Polished the frets with 0000 steel wool. Soaked the bridge and tailpiece in Windex, cleaned and the polished the pup covers to get the lines off. Tightened the pots (after verifying they had not been spun fully around). Polished the nick on the neck with fine grit to get the "edge" off the nick. Cleaned and graphited the nut, lightly lubed the bridge saddle screws. Put .010's with a wound G on it, and returned the next day to finish the setup. I only had to raise the bridge a tad for the bigger strings (it had flat wound .009's on it) to clear the tiniest amount of buzz. About 5 hours work in all... And VIOLA!
My only regret... I didn't take a "before" pic I was in such a frenzy to clean it up. The store owner said it was on
craigslist at one point, I'll have to see if he still has it.
This may be the Pearly Gates recipient.
The Mrs didn't even complain when I showed/played it for her.
This was a great find.
1.5 weeks later, I still can't put it down (except to type this
)
I've played a lot of these, especially the Studios (because that's more my price range). I've also played Gibson 335's... That didn't play as nice as this dirty guitar. I took it home and immediately went to town on it. For old dirty guitars, I used to use Murphy's oil soap first, I now use Unscented baby wipes, as they are gentle and have just enough fabric to clean fretboards perfectly without soaking or scratching them. They also take up the dirt so the dirt doesn't scratch the finish. Polished the frets with 0000 steel wool. Soaked the bridge and tailpiece in Windex, cleaned and the polished the pup covers to get the lines off. Tightened the pots (after verifying they had not been spun fully around). Polished the nick on the neck with fine grit to get the "edge" off the nick. Cleaned and graphited the nut, lightly lubed the bridge saddle screws. Put .010's with a wound G on it, and returned the next day to finish the setup. I only had to raise the bridge a tad for the bigger strings (it had flat wound .009's on it) to clear the tiniest amount of buzz. About 5 hours work in all... And VIOLA!
My only regret... I didn't take a "before" pic I was in such a frenzy to clean it up. The store owner said it was on
craigslist at one point, I'll have to see if he still has it.
This may be the Pearly Gates recipient.
The Mrs didn't even complain when I showed/played it for her.
This was a great find.
1.5 weeks later, I still can't put it down (except to type this
)
