P150 arrived

So the p150 arrived, condition not quite as expected, removed the rusty strings and took off the bridge, tailstop and knobs for cleaning. No pics but looks like the knobs had stickers on them at some point. Unfortunately one of the knobs is cracked where it fits onto the pot shaft, anybody know where I could source a replacement? Bridge and tailpiece are in good shape with no pitting of the chrome, as are the tuners.


Didn't realise that these had a trans finish.
Lot of marks around the selector switch, in general the body is covered in light scratches, almost like someone's been at it with wire wool.



Nice case really good condition. Not sure what's going on with the binding at the cutaways, where the binding meets the body it appears to have lifted a bit. There's definitely some movement, although looking from the top down the binding seems secure. Pity the seller didn't mention this. So, I'm looking for suggestions about how to fix this if anyone can help.
Overall it looks like she's had a hard life, the amount of crud on the fretboard and under the knobs was unbelievable.

Have plugged in and strummed before removing the strings - all electrics are fine.

Am I pleased with it - it's a prestige that I can get into shape and use out of the house so in a word - Yes

Congrats on the grab!

THE PIX ARE KINDA LARGE THO!
You'll need to scale them down for display here (max 600 x 800 resolution) or link out to a hosting site.

From what I can make out, the scratching/scuffing should respond nicely to a good quality rubbing compound and polish. I use and recommend Meguiar's Ultimate Compound. Excellent results.

As for knobs, you can probably make do with standard 'speed knobs', available just about everywhere. Buy a good quality (heavy) set and not the el-cheapo ones though.

Thanks Barry, i've been looking for a good product for that. Believe it or not i have never polished a guitar before , i've done lots of other stuff but never had one i really wanted to spruce up i guess. Would you reccommend i use a polish after the compound, or does that do both? I've found the product locally, so i'm looking forward to a shiny new axe!

Good luck with the Prestige Westcoaster, those are great guitars and yours doesn't need much to look great again. Thats one DARK trans finish! I dig it. :!:

It doesnt show very well on the photos but the grain is quite obvious under the finish, particularly on the neck, almost a bluish tint to it to my eyes, hoping it polishes up well. Really not sure to do about the issue with the binding though, wouldn't want to botch it and make it worse, so might just live with it for the moment.

You will get the knobs easily on Ebay. I buy them all the time but I can't remember the seller. Just type in "knurled speed knobs " . They are made specifically for vintage Jap stuff from the seventies and eighties.

Hoax

Thanks for that, managed to find mij guitars website who do them. Fortunately it wasn't one of the peq knobs that is broken.

Have a close look at the tone knobs, you will not get those, if you know who does them give me a call.


The binding coming away like that is not that uncommom. There is a way to correct it but if you haven't done it before just live with it as heat is required, just the right amount and super glue. Plus cyanide fumes..!







Hope you dont mind westcoaster , just so's we know's what's what.

One of my 250's binding has been like that for ages. Have never bothered to fix it. In exactly the same place.

Given that there's a bit of movement in the binding I was wondering whether injecting some glue (some sort of resin - not sure what) to stabilise and then scraping down flush. I'm not going to rush into anything with this though.

What it needs is glue and heat.
It's plastic which has shrunk and needs to be heated, stretched back and glued. Obviously being very careful with the paint. A good few layers of masking tape and heat directly onto the plastic. I've used a hot air gun but you have to be extremely careful and get it just right.

Alternatively drip super glue from the end of a toothpick into the join to stabilize the binding and leave as is.

The heat treatment takes a bit of practise.

Sexy beast ya got there! Let us know what you think of the action and sound when you get the chance. Great score!!!

The scratches around that switch appear to be in a very rectangular shape, as if the switch was gone at one point and the hole taped over, the scratches resulting from trying to remove adhesive once the switch got replaced.

Got it out of the case, tuned up the rusty strings, plugged in and it sounded great, really nice action. Initially when I saw it I thought - not my best purchase but I'm coming round. It's like an unconventionally beautiful woman, flawed but very compelling, it's a keeper for sure.

westcoaster wrote: It's like an unconventionally beautiful woman, flawed but very compelling, it's a keeper for sure.

Sort of like Patricia Arquette right?

Sweet guitar (from the close-ups )!!

Forgot to mention, each binding issue is it's own problem, some easy some hard.

hobster wrote:...Would you reccommend i use a polish after the compound...

Yep. Any good quality stuff will do, however, I'd recommend a liquid/paste rather than a spray. I'd also apply the rubbing compound with a sponge for best results, and keep it "wet", not straight compound. Be prepared for several applications in bad areas.

Note that if you are trying to restore a seriously damaged finish you'll need more than polishing compound, and you'll have to wet sand or possibly drop fill first. But for surface scuffing the Meguiars is magic.

Cheers beavis, Patricia she is.

Yep, Pats a good name.
It looks like a pint of Guinness bejesus.

For polishing out the scuffs Ive used Farecla polishing compound, comes in a range of grades.
Will try the Maguiar stuff as well.

Been using for years, good stuff grogg.
If using with a polisher use water at the same time.

grogg wrote:For polishing out the scuffs Ive used Farecla polishing compound, comes in a range of grades.
Will try the Maguiar stuff as well.

Obviously, use whatever is available in your area, as long as it is of good quality, i.e, won't cause more scratches than you're trying to remove! (And note, it's Meguiar's, not Maguiar)

SNAP Damian

G3 for a slightly coarser cut mind

It isn't cheap though eh Mike.

Meguiars is now available over here Barry.

I've used Solvol Autosol to polish out scratches (chrome polish from when I made my beer money from cleaning cars); good stuff but fairly abrasive so go easy and try out on somewhere that doesn't show, such as the side of the body.

Also following the car-cleaning theme, I'm trying out one of the bodywork clay products on an old guitar, to see if it can polish out pick-scratches. The stuff I've got was bought for my car (a 20-odd year old VW should anyone be remotely interested) and is made by Bilt-Hamber. It's basically a lump of plasticine which (according to the blurb which came with it) has Harry Potter polishing qualities and will restore a gleaming shine to any surface... hmmm, I'm reserving judgment on that.

After having owned about 6 or 7 Mk1 and Mk2 golf Gti's, I am always interested in hearing about 20 odd year old Volkswagens.

My wife and I still run VW's

Meguiars still do a clay by the way. I will maybe try some on a guitar.

You have been a bit quiet bro (Too much cheap brandy?)

Hoax

Hi Hoax

Yeah, I made a bit of a pact with myself... more fretboard, less keyboard. Trouble is, every time I pitch up on here it seems to lead to a GAS attack and I have to smuggle another one into the house. But it's Tuesday night, wife went out to her arc-welding class or something so what the hell!

I've discovered that Lidl actually sell stuff you can drink that is worth buying! I decided to try out their more expensive brandies over Xmas/ new year. Not exactly a "Which" report (so difficult to compose whilst falling over) but give the other tipples a go. You may be pleasantly surprised.

The motor is a '89 Mark 2 Golf, bought on impulse (bit like some of the guitars). I sold a 1963 Rover P4 a while back to fund the guitar bug. Then I got the car bug again..

Aaahhhh Tuesday ... always the most entertaining evening for posting.

Metaxa 7 star Greek brandy.

Back on topic for the P150. Have bought and tried the Meguiars polish Barry and agree this is a great finishing product but its nowhere near the mark for cleaning up the level of scratches on this guitar.
Would go for Farecla G3 then G6 and then G10 or the Meg stuff. None of this is cheap so if youre not going to do this often either borrow some or G3 to G10/Meg and a bit more elbow grease.

I prefer the Metaxa mind..

Wow that's a beautiful P150. Congrats!

Congrats for getting that deal! beautiful guitar

Like the others, my 150's cutaway bindings have been pulled away for years with no issues. Love the trans finish too. The Prestiges were/are definitely LP killers!!!

Neil, I love the translucent colour on yours! But is it brown or reddish? Hard to tell from your avatar. Maybe you posted pics before and I've missed them...

I'm too jealous to be happy for you.

Just kidding (sorta), that's a gorgeous geetar brother!!!