Bringing a Guild S300D back to life

mkt3000 · Post by **mkt3000** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 1:41 am

I just got offered a 1978 Guild S300D for $200... because a previous owner sprayed it with a rattle can. Matte black.

Anyway, I'm gonna go check out the guitar at some point this week. The seller claims that the original satin walnut finish is intact underneath, and that it should be pretty easy to refurb.

I know that the method to remove it varies on the type of paint applied and the finish underneath. Does anyone have any basic pointers, etc, so that I know what I'm getting into should I decide to buy (ie- I don't want another money pit like my 67 Deluxe Reverb)

HNB · Post by **HNB** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 1:56 am

If you use 1000 sandpaper, you should be able to carefully sand off the paint. I wouldn't use chemicals or heat because it could/would mess up the paint under the stuff you want off.

Joey · Post by **Joey** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 3:31 am

Any idea what the original finish is?

You can try sanding, wet sanding, buffing and scrubbing (fine steel wool) with chemicals. Light/Heavy.... naphtha, xylene, mineral spirits, lacquer thinner and acetone. If it's a lacquer finish, obviously stay away from it with lacquer thinner and acetone. You might get away with just regular ol' Goof Off.

cobascis · Post by **cobascis** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 3:42 am

Fucking DIBS if you sell it.

I played at 78 Guild S60d today at the local music store. Nearly the same guitar as what you're looking at... They want around 600$ for it. Body shape was sweet and it played awesome.

DasBeef · Post by **DasBeef** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 4:23 am

At that price BUY IT!!!!!!!
As long as there's nothing else seriously wrong with it of course.
I have an S-70 and it's a brilliant guitar. I also have an S-100, and S-90 which are all ace!
Actually, here's a photae....

mkt3000 · Post by **mkt3000** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 3:15 pm

So it turns out that the seller had already offered the guitar to a mutual friend of ours for an even lower price ($175), but my friend said no. I told him to check it out for me... and he's gonna do it. He's gonna call him back to bring it by his work tonight, and he's gonna put it through its paces. He's someone I trust, so if he says it's good, it's good. I gave him the $175 cash to buy it for me.

And then I called a local tech... if the damage is only limited to the body, and not the neck, he'll take off the rattle can finish and the polish original one for $50. If it includes the neck, $80. So then it's just a matter of resoldering it after that

HNB · Post by **HNB** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 3:20 pm

Sounds like a possible great deal and a killer price for that kind of work. (In my opinion.)

Joey · Post by **Joey** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 6:21 pm

Great deal on both sides

mkt3000 · Post by **mkt3000** » Wed Sep 05, 2012 7:32 pm

Some pics... this guitar will be mine. Tomorrow evening maybe

DGNR8 · Post by **DGNR8** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 12:58 am

That's not even a bad job at that, from what I can see. I had a super easy time using a binding scraper to get rattle can off of few times, but it depends on what kind and how thick. My Wildwood had a thin coat of white on it. Easiest paint removal ever.

Guilds were well made. Super score.

SCRAPER

mkt3000 · Post by **mkt3000** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 4:54 pm

AAAAAAAAND.... the final (awesome) update.

She is mine. Well, "mine". My friend convinced the seller to fix it and sell it for $200

It should be in my hands this weekend, so no project- just an awesome vintage guitar that's ready to play (and then time for me decide which of my guitars has to go)

And then, the NGD thread shall commence.

cur · Post by **cur** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 5:45 pm

Make it PANK.

Awstin · Post by **Awstin** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 5:50 pm

Leave it. It looks good as it is and it will be a giant bitch to get that original finish back even if it is possible.

DasBeef · Post by **DasBeef** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 6:05 pm

Jelly. That is awesome. I was eyeing an S-300AD for Â£600 which was a good enough deal.
Great pickups in these as well. Welcome to the vintage Guild club! You'll get info at LetsTalkGuild

mkt3000 · Post by **mkt3000** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 4:31 pm

Small update... the seller contacted me last night, and told me the paint is off, and the guitar and hardware have all been polished. He says it looks like a new guitar. I should get it tonight or tomorrow.

He's going to put the hardware back on, and will leave it to me to resolder the electronics.

If he didn't lie to me, it should hopefully look something like this:

speedfish · Post by **speedfish** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 5:02 pm

mkt3000 wrote:Small update... the seller contacted me last night, and told me the paint is off, and the guitar and hardware have all been polished. He says it looks like a new guitar. I should get it tonight or tomorrow.

He's going to put the hardware back on, and will leave it to me to resolder the electronics.

If he didn't lie to me, it should hopefully look something like this:

I am dying to know how he removed the paint without destroying the finish underneath. I would be grateful if you could find out how he did it and let us know.

Thanks,

mkt3000 · Post by **mkt3000** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 5:04 pm

speedfish wrote:
mkt3000 wrote:Small update... the seller contacted me last night, and told me the paint is off, and the guitar and hardware have all been polished. He says it looks like a new guitar. I should get it tonight or tomorrow.

He's going to put the hardware back on, and will leave it to me to resolder the electronics.

If he didn't lie to me, it should hopefully look something like this:

► Show Spoiler

I am dying to know how he removed the paint without destroying the finish underneath. I would be grateful if you could find out how he did it and let us know.

Thanks,

I am curious as well. When he drops off the guitar, I'll ask him.

mkt3000 · Post by **mkt3000** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 7:07 pm

An update... still haven't gotten the guitar back since I had to head to San Juan yesterday to deal with some family issues, but he did tell me what he did.

Because it was a shitty rattle can finish, he was able to get it off fairly easily. He completely took off all the hardware/electronics, and went to town with high grit sandpaper and water to take off the rattle can finish, and then he went over it with automotive rubbing compound and polish. That was all he needed.

I really cannot wait to get back to the west half of PR to get that damn guitar wired and playing

theshadowofseattle · Post by **theshadowofseattle** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 8:20 pm

That guitar is gorgeous! Awesome

mkt3000 · Post by **mkt3000** » Fri Nov 16, 2012 12:55 am

More than two months later... the Guild is in my possession. The seller was a slow lying asshole, but he got the guitar to me. In pieces. I told him to just give it to me as is, and he did. Two weeks after I told him to do that, and 2 days after I told him to give me back my money.

Anyway, the serial number dates her to 1979. Now it's a matter of wet-sanding the body and neck, and putting her back together.

As of now, the only replacement piece I'm going to need is a single humbucker mounting ring.

Pics: