Restoration and Care '65 M-20?

[jgmaute]

Well I sent the check Express Mail out to MA today and hope to have the '65 M-20 by early next week. I know the fretboard is very dry and am equally sure the entire guitar will need a cleaning, new strings, etc. Are these things I can start before I take it to Randy Wood to have the neck adjusted and general set up? The M-20 has a satin finish. What should I use on it? Any suggestions for the fretboard or should I just wait and have Randy work with it?

Stuff I use on my other guitars and have here: Dr. Duck's Ax Wax, Planet Waves Shine, Dunlop 65 Body Gloss Cream of Carnauba.

Thanks for your suggestions,
Joan

 

[john_kidder]

I clean my M20 body with Murphy's Oil Soap and give it just a tiny touch of a beeswax polish; fretboard just a scrub with stiff little brush, then of drops of lemon oil on a rag. When a fingerboard is really dirty, I first use straight Murphy's soap and a fingernail file along both sides of each fret, but that doesn't sound like your problem

But if you have a good luthier, I'd leave it to him for the first go. Don't put anything on before he sees it. He'll have cleaners and polishes and rags and brushes and all that. More importantly, he'll want to inspect the guitar anyway, and making something truly clean is the surest way to see every detail. And he'll be able to recommend a cleaning kit for you.

 

[Dr. Spivey]

Good to hear the M-20 deal is happening for you. Hope it all works out well.

I've never owned a satin finish guitar. Wouldn't know what to do finish wise on one. I use pure carnauba wax, get a quart bottle at a body shop supply place. I don't even know what brand I'm using, as I put it in a different container. For fretboards, I clean with naptha (lighter fluid) if they're really dirty, then apply a tiny amount of bore oil. Bore oil is a lubricant/dressing for woodwind instruments.

 

[jgmaute]

Thanks for the suggestions, I especially like not doing anything until Randy gets to check it out! The check arrived in MA yesterday and the guitar is supposed to be shipped today...I'm thinking maybe the middle of next week...of course I can't wait to get it in my hands. And, I've been around here long enough to know we're all into visuals...pictures will be posted once I get the guitar. Joan

 

[Pike]

of course I can't wait to get it in my hands

Yep, the wait... best care you could give her Joan, play her every day! Happy for you...

 

[TonyT]

I learned the hard way. Don't put new strings on before you take it in for neck work. Duh!

 

[capnjuan]

Congratulations Joan; hope it works out for the best. John