What to do with an old guitar?

[OrangeJTM46]

My friend dropped off a '66 or '69 (all I could figure out from the SN) SG for me to check out. It needs some minor set up work, but more importantly, some electronic work. The jack either needs to be replaced or just resoldered. The pots are scratchy, but may work fine after some cleaner. Do the caps dry out? Since it is such an old guitar, should I be worried at all about resoldering or replacing parts? What can I get away with without messing with its value?

[WordMan]

The guitar - assuming it is in reasonable collectible condition - is going up in value and likely to continue doing so. Therefore, if you or your friend are ever contemplating selling it or at least insuring it at a collectible value, do NOTHING to it without consulting with a vintage expert or two to understand the current thinking on any mods you are considering and how they will effect value.

Opinions change over time about which mods are okay and which detract from value, but you need to develop your own point of view as to which you think will matter over time. Swapping in a new pot is normally not that big of a deal - unless all the solders on the electronics are currently unbroken and you can get the current pot to work well - then if you swap in a new pot you will never be able to claim "unbroken solder joints" anymore and, if the guitar is otherwise in near-mint shape, would effect its value.

I am NOT advocating putting the guitar in a glass display case - I have a couple of "officially collectible" guitars that I play the snot out of - but I make sure I am informed before I do anything to the originality of them...

[OrangeJTM46]

Well right now, the jack definately needs work because of a loose connection or grounding problem. Moving the cable around will fix it to a certain extent. Its a easy fix, but those original solder joints...

[scottlr]

Try cleaning the jack with contact cleaner. Put some on a Q-Tip and see if you get a bunch of black gunk out of there. They get oxidized over time and can cause problem. I had the jack on one of my Teles kept getting gunked up and needed frequent cleaning. I finally just replaced it, but it is not vintage. I agree with the keep it vintage, however, a potential buyer will not want a guitar that doesn't work, right? I wouldn't think cleaning the pots would be a problem. Vintage caps get sold for good money all the time, so those are probably not bad or anything. If it were mine, I might call or email someone like Gruhn or Elderly and ask about the jack situation.

[Pete Galati]

IMO, don't change any parts on a guitar with collector value.

IMO, find a good luthier, and have him work on it if you're not sure what to do with it.

When pots get dirty or scratchy, in guitars or amps, I usually use Deoxit.

Pete

[straightblues]

From your post it is apparent that you do not do a lot of guitar tech work. You have an instrument that is potentially worth a lot of money. Take it to a tech and let him set it up for you and do the minor stuff you mentioned. It won't cost more than $50 or so and will be well worth the money.

[StratTone]

From your post it is apparent that you do not do a lot of guitar tech work. You have an instrument that is potentially worth a lot of money. Take it to a tech and let him set it up for you and do the minor stuff you mentioned. It won't cost more than $50 or so and will be well worth the money.

Well I am assuming he knows what he is doing but is admitedly saying he doesn't know the vintage market well. I see no problem with him doing the work himself. He isn't saying he doesn't know what he is doing he is here to ask "what?" he can and can't do and not mess up collector value. I myslef would never take a guitar to a tech because they don't know shit half the time. Plus you never know what you will get back. I say do the cotton swab thing first and go from there. If the solder has become cold a reheat may be all the trick you need. Sounds like moslty it just needs a good cleaning is all though.

[scottlr]

If I were buying a vintage SG, as long as the pots were original, I really wouldn't care about the solder. I want it to work. Solder joints go bad. Sometimes they are bad from the factory. I know some collectors are very picky about such details. But it really wouldn't bother me. And especially if it is just the jack.

[gkoelling]

If I were buying a vintage SG, as long as the pots were original, I really wouldn't care about the solder. I want it to work. Solder joints go bad. Sometimes they are bad from the factory. I know some collectors are very picky about such details. But it really wouldn't bother me. And especially if it is just the jack.

Just don't take it out in the cold Iowa winter to create more finish checking. :D (sorry, couldn't help myself. I have a relic of my own.)

[scottlr]

Just don't take it out in the cold Iowa winter to create more finish checking. :D (sorry, couldn't help myself. I have a relic of my own.)

:jo No way! I might even keep that one in its case.