Simple Ways to Restore Your Classic Guitar

When I purchased my '95 cherry sunburst Gibson Les Paul Standard in 2005 it was in great condition. The seller from whom I purchased it on eBay had taken wonderful care of it. However despite the great care taken for this instrument there were some issues that simply come with age. Most obvious is the tarnishing of the numerous small screws that hold on various parts. Also plastic parts such as the pickguard, the "Treble/Rhythm plate around the toggle switch, and the plastic output jack plate had cracked. This is a guitar I have wanted since I started playing guitar at age 14 (16 years ago) and therefore I do not intend on ever selling it. But I also play this guitar on a regular basis at home and with a part-time rock band. With these facts in mind I wanted to restore my Les Paul to pristine condition. You may also have a guitar that, despite your best efforts and tender loving care, has begun to show its age. Here are a few ways that you can get your guitar looking, playing, and feeling cherry again.

Use Genuine Parts from the Manufacturer

In the case of my Gibson Les Paul I have chosen to use only Gibson parts. It is true that these are more expensive and are probably no different than any no-name item that will do the same job. However using all original manufacturer parts will help to maintain the value of your instrument and keep the entire piece 100% original. So whenever possible use original parts.

Replace Hardware

Hardware does not only mean replacing big items like the bridge (or tail piece), tuners, or strap buttons, but also means replacing small detail items such as screws. The bridge is the part of the guitar attached to the body just behind the pickups that acts as a saddle for the strings to lay across. The bridge is an extremely important piece of equipment. A worn out or damaged bridge can cause problems with the action and tuning than can be a source of great frustration and bad sounding chords! Inspect your bridge and look for extensive tarnishing, discoloration, or extremely worn saddles. It is normal for the individual saddles to have small grooves in which the strings rest however if they seem extra wide or deep and jagged, then it probably time for a new bridge.

Likewise the condition of your guitar's tuners (located on the headstock) can greatly affect its appearance and playability. Original tuners can be purchased either new from the manufacturer or other guitar accessories dealers or in near mint condition from eBay or Craigslist.

Looking at your guitar (particularly a Les Paul) you may notice several small screws here and there. You should see some holding on the pickguard. Also you may notice some holding on the pickup covers or any decorative rings around the pickups. These may be harder to come by. I have found great difficulty locating screw sets for my particular guitar. In this case you may have to settle for non-OEM parts. The simplest means would be to take a few of the screws to your local hardware store and shop for a match. If possible purchase screws which are non-corrosive or resistant to tarnishing.

Depending on their condition you may also choose to replace the chrome covers that cover your pickups (if your guitar has them). This is usually the case with humbucker pickups. OEM pickup covers can be picked up for a song on Musician's Friend, eBay, or the manufacturer's website.

Replace Cracked Or Broken Plastic Parts

Regardless of the quality of an instrument most manufacturers incorporate at least a few plastic parts. Among these are the toggle switch and jack plates, truss rod cover (at top of the neck), pickguard, and toggle switch cap. Replacing these with OEM parts is inexpensive and easy.

The truss rod cover is held on but a couple of screws. Simply remove these with a small screwdriver and the cover will come right off. Then screw the new one on. Toggle switch caps usually pull off/on or screw off/on. Pretty straightforward. To replace a plastic plate surrounding the input jack (such as on a Les Paul), simply unscrew the outer nut and this will loosen the jack and the plate. The plate will therefore slide off and the new one can be put in its place. Afterward replace the nut.

Replacing a pickguard can be trickier depending on the style of guitar you have. Replacing a Les Paul's pickguard requires only the removal of a few screws (don't forget to replace the bracket with a nice shiny new one as well). However if you have a full body pickguard such as those on most Fenders, then replacing the pickguard will require removal of the strings and toggle switch cap. It will take about half an hour to an hour of your time but the results are amazing.

Set Up By a Guitar Store Pro

Even though the parts I have mentioned are very simple to replace there are a few things that you will want a professional to do. Adjusting the neck's truss rod and setting the bridge intonation are the main adjustments that will lend greatly to the guitar's playability, sound, and ability to hold a tune. This is a job best left to a pro who has the proper tools and experience for making these adjustments. So it is best to have the pro put on new strings, replace the bridge, tail piece, replace the pickup covers, set the intonation, and adjust the neck all in a single shot. Typically a set up job like this costs less than $40 and most places will not charge you extra for putting on a bridge or other part. This will go a long way toward making your guitar play and sound great. Also many places will clean and wax the body of your guitar when setting it up.

The great thing about this type of restoration is that unless the components discussed here are damaged in any way, these are parts that you can replace over time. So eventually after a few simple purchases and procedures you can begin to see a gradual facelift take place in your instrument. And after some time and some usage if your guitar begins showing its age again then it is easy to replace some of the parts again. I hope this helps you in your quest to maintain your prized guitar.