I need some guitar help!

[lieinmygrave41]

So, I have had my Takamine for about 2 years now. Its acoutc/electric, and I'm looking to get some work done. Simple stuff, straightening the neck, getting rid of the buzz, installing pags for a strap, and buffering the body, just to get rid of scratches. But I was wondering, I live in Valencia, in Southern Cali. and I was wondering If anyone knew a good place to get this done. I'm not worried about the price, just quality. I would greatly appreciate some help! I am also wondering if Guitar Center, or Sam Ash would do a good job. Thanks guys. :D

My email is in my sig. Thanks for the help!

[tripngrey]

Ash.

:thumbsup

[lieinmygrave41]

what would be the price figure, someone mentioned $40-60

[TheRealGuyute]

I forgot to mention to you. Meguire's Scratch remover works really well on guitar finishes. You can buy it at most auto parts stores, plus at Target and Wal-Mart, I believe.

[lieinmygrave41]

thanks everyone

[Rob]

I wouldn't use Meguire's on a guitar under any circumstances- any water-based gloss finish will be completely destroyed by the abrasives in it. Automotive finishes and guitar finishes are completely different animals, and the scratch remover works by essentially breaking down the edge of the scratch and pushing the pigment into it. That's not at all what's going on with your guitar's finish.

[lieinmygrave41]

ok, then what finish would you recommend? I could ask someone at the local music store, but I know there is a lot to choose from

[TheRealGuyute]

Hey Rob, the Meguire's has been recommended by several luthiers who manufacture high-end guitars.

As long as you're not rubbing overly agressively (and I'm talking belt-sander hard), the finish on a Tak should do very well with it. Remember, he's trying to remove scratches, not just polish the guitar.

If you just want a polish, you can use either Turtle Wax (recommended for the Taylor UV Polyester type finishes) or just plain old Virtuoso guitar polish that's designed for nitro finishes.

[lieinmygrave41]

thanks everybody

[Rob]

Fender makes a complete system that's virtually abrasive free and does a fairly nice job for amateurish home work. It does a number on your nice, shiny metal, however.

There are too many "ifs" with an automotive product. You need to know how much, what pressure, how long, how to remove, blah blah blah. As soon as you get a dried haze with something like Meguires (which you need for a sheen), you're in danger during the removal process. If you aren't positive of what you're doing, you'll be pretty upset when you're done.

[bartender69]

Will,

I would not take my guitar to Guitar Center...just some friendly advice. Guitar center cannot even maintain the guitars that are on their walls. I shudder to think of what they would do to my guitar in their repair shop. Plus, I have been to many Guitar Centers, and it is my experience that most of their knowlege is at a "Circuit City Associate" level. Not putting down anyone here who works at Circuit City.

My advice would be to talk to some other musicians in your area. Find out who they take their stuff to, and what type of experience they had. Or, if your guitars manufacturer has a website and a forum, go there and post a thread asking for suggestions. You would be surprised by how many people from your general area would be able to offer helpful info. To bad you were not closer. I have my own setup guy does all my guitars and has been for years. Hopefully you will find someone who you can put the same confidence and trust in. There is no better feeling then going to bed at night KNOWING that your instrument is in good hands...and there is not a worse felling then wondering if they are or are not.

[Pipsqueak]

^ best advice so far.

"mom and pop" shops are the way to go if you ask me....that's where I buy my axes and that's where they get maintained...

and I think this is the 1,001st time I've posted this link now... --> http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/pagelist.html

there is a ton of great information on this website, including how to maintain your instrument

[Carbon Copy]

your link doesnt work for me

[lieinmygrave41]

yeah, thanks Bartender69, I actually took it in today to a local shop, and they did a very nice job. I got it back same day, and because thats where I bought the guitar that I was geting work on, they agve me a discount. I'm very happy :cool