The Electra Forums

I do miss that guitar. Hope you're enjoying it.

To RCSBlues: Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! That's exactly what I mean.

To Jead: Yep, I'm totally enjoying it. A million more thanks!!!

Don't shoot me for digging up an old thread please

I am the proud owner of a closet classic 2281 EB model and
have been doing some research on it and thus internet led me
to this forum in the past but now recently to the youtube vid
and back to this thread from the original poster.

My guitar is a 78 model ( serial #) and I'll post some pics when I
can... but my initial question is how to clean/properly restore the
white material outlining the body/neck and F holes as it's yellowed
from decades of sitting in a hard shell but fuzzy lined case.
I am comfortable doing fret polish, neck cleaning/fret board
and detailing rest of the guitar but I want to be very careful
on these areas if need be as the guitar is a very pristine example
of this tree of life model...

I really want to get this guitar in fine form/playing condition as I
have owned it for 17 years and never done so much as re string
it or but wipe it with a rag, plugged it in a few times to an amp and
well... NOW IS THE TIME!

I'll respond with pics and carry on unless I am told to start a new thread
on this one.

Thanks in advance for anyone who responds...

Welcome.

They yellowing of the binding is considered desirable by many. It is an indication of the age of the instrument. If you search the internet you will find a lot of information on how to fake the yellowing but none on how to remove it. I am pretty sure that it is a non reversible chemical reaction and the only way to change it would be to re-bind the guitar (a big job). Then in several years, it too would yellow.

and yes pics please.

You really can't reverse the color. Leave it alone! Whatever you do, don't come anywhere near it with acetone or paint thinner type stuff because you can actually melt it. You could possibly try some 0000 steel wool and see if that does anything - I wouldn't count on it though. Again, you're better off enjoying the yellow/ivory it has aged to.

Thank you both for the answers!

I thought it was something that might could be brought
back to a nice white with the right technique but I will certainly
leave it be... I figured it might be only corrected by total restoration
of a guitar and finish and this one does not need that so leave it
be and love it more is fine with me!

I need to finish the fret polish/dress the neck and detail the
rest of her before I take some pics. I may have a pic or two
of the grungy strings and frets as it sat in the case how I
first got the thing.

Besides some pitting / corrosion on some chrome or metal parts
and green on the frets the body/finish is AMAZING ( besides the yellow
of course)

My acquisition is only 31 away from the serial number on the one
featured on this site!

http://www.rivercityamps.com/electrapag ... 002-051350

Thanks again for the advice not to tinker with desirable age
condition on this ( or any vintage guitar)

very nice!

_________________
Thorny