N(O)GD - To Strip Or Not To Strip...

N(O)GD - To Strip Or Not To Strip...

  • Yes: Restore that guitar to its former glory!

    Votes: 6 33.3%

  • Maybe: But bring it to a professional luthier you hack!

    Votes: 1 5.6%

  • No: Don't you dare remove one ounce of mojo from that beast!

    Votes: 8 44.4%

  • Rob Option

    Votes: 3 16.7%
  • Total voters
    18
Dr. Vegetable

Dr. Vegetable

New member
...That is the question.

Got a cool deal on this pawn shop find - a 1978 Ibanez MT-200NT Musician. Pretty awesome guitar, but it's in need of a little attention.

It's in good physical shape. The neck is straight, and everything plays well. It also sounds excellent - really bluesy pickups on board this one! The previous owner replaced the bridge and tuners, and painted the (originally chrome) tailpiece with flat grey paint - apparently without removing it from the guitar first. It has a bunch of dings in the finish, front and back, and a few cracks around the output jack. The wood is staring to darken underneath some of the dings.

This is what it should look like:

17092_Musician_MC200NT_D785840_1.jpg


This is what it actually looks like:

attachment.php


I'm looking for an original bridge to put on it, but they are hard to find in chrome.

So a question for all you vintage Ibanez lovers out there - should I sand this puppy down and refinish it, or should I leave it as-is? My gut tells me to go ahead and restore it, as it is rather beautiful underneath all that crud. I don't think the original finish adds much (any?) value to this instrument, but I'd hate to **** it up just the same.

Any advice?

attachment.php
 
Re: N(O)GD - To Strip Or Not To Strip...

I would say give it a good polish, but let it keep its scars... if the scratches start getting through to the wood too much, then refinish it.
 
Re: N(O)GD - To Strip Or Not To Strip...

If it were mine, I'd just take the hardware off and clean the old paint off it with some sort of solvent (testing in an inconspicuous area first), then just clean the grime off the woodwork using nothing stronger than naptha.
 
Re: N(O)GD - To Strip Or Not To Strip...

Dr. Vegetable said:
. I'm looking for an original bridge to put on it, but they are hard to find in chrome.
Click to expand...

I would say leave as is the guitar has a lot of funk and mojo. As for the bridge yep I have one in chrome from my 81 Iceman. It is in about the same shape visually as your tail piece, a bit of corrosion. I have no idea of its value or what I would even want for it. Make and offer Doc.

Ibanez Bridge.jpg
 
Re: N(O)GD - To Strip Or Not To Strip...

I would go with Chris. Clean the grime. Naphtha works really well. Maybe after you give it a nice cleaning you may change your mind.
 
Re: N(O)GD - To Strip Or Not To Strip...

Securb said:
I would say leave as is the guitar has a lot of funk and mojo. As for the bridge yep I have one in chrome from my 81 Iceman. It is in about the same shape visually as your tail piece, a bit of corrosion. I have no idea of its value or what I would even want for it. Make and offer Doc.

View attachment 46416
Click to expand...

Now there you go. That's why this is such a great forum.

My vote is to clean it up but leave it be. Chicks dig scars.
 
Re: N(O)GD - To Strip Or Not To Strip...

It's awesome as it is.

I would'nt change anything...sweet guitar!

Any guitar that old needs to have it's mojo left undisturbed :D
 
Re: N(O)GD - To Strip Or Not To Strip...

Depends on the curves underneath :naughty:

I'm not aware of much collector value, and it would look so much better with a fresh finish. I vote strip.
 
Re: N(O)GD - To Strip Or Not To Strip...

Hmmmmmmm i come across this often at my place. Sometimes i have to buy 2 of the same guitar just so i can re finish one and keep one original :)

Maybe just give it a good cut and polish and see how it looks.
 
Re: N(O)GD - To Strip Or Not To Strip...

1. I would take it apart and inspect the underneath the hardware, but from the pic you posted the finish looks worn down and due for a new coat. Look for fading by comparing the exposed finish to the finish possibly under the bridge. It may give you an idea of how faded it is.

2. Go with the suggestions and clean it first before tearing it down for a re-finish. That might be enough, but the pitting in the wood suggests sanding. Just my thoughts and good luck!!
 
Re: N(O)GD - To Strip Or Not To Strip...

^^ +1.

Looks ok to me, I wouldn't worry about it. It seems that what can be seen is relatively negligible from a distance in any case.

The pitting is easier to clean than to fix; you could attempt to steam out the wood, which would result in a better look than filling with something.
 
Re: N(O)GD - To Strip Or Not To Strip...

I like all of my guitars to look gorgeous. My vote is for a complete strip (wow, I'm getting excited already) and refinish.
 
Re: N(O)GD - To Strip Or Not To Strip...

I am with Chris on this one
Clean and play

maybe remove the painted hardware
soak in a solvent
buff with toothpaste and toothbrush
plain ole Creast toothpaste and SOFT bristle brush

spray with a light coat of Clear lacquer

dings are where the good tone hides when not in use
then when you play they just jump out
 
Re: N(O)GD - To Strip Or Not To Strip...

I say go with your gut, it is your guitar. The 200's don't seem to hold value like the 4 and 500's do. Did you buy it to play the hell out of it or to hope it is an investment? I say refin and rock..................
 
Re: N(O)GD - To Strip Or Not To Strip...

rjudo said:
I say go with your gut, it is your guitar. The 200's don't seem to hold value like the 4 and 500's do. Did you buy it to play the hell out of it or to hope it is an investment? I say refin and rock..................
Click to expand...

I agree with rjudo--if you aren't looking at this as an investment then I would say strip it and refinish it. It looks like it is do for a facelift unless you dig the natural worn/relic look. Cool post though--I enjoy hearing about stuff like this.
 
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