NGD - my first USA Jackson. Au Natural PC1

[MartinBarre]

Sorry, no pics just yet, baby is still awake! I'll take some later. However, it's utterly FILTHY. I mean literally black in places on the body. The guy that owned it before me really didn't take much care of it cosmetically. The Floyd bar is pitted and stuff too.

However! I got it really cheap (£1050 in the UK) and it all works as it should, hard case included.

Only had a quick play so far, it sounds and feels fantastic. The Floyd is noticeably better than the JT580's or FR Special's I've always had until now. The Sustainer I have to say seems about the same as the one on my DK2S which is fine for me, it's not something I'd want to overdo anyway.

Please though, someone tell me how the hell I can get this thing looking CLEAN again! The maple fretboard is dirty but the body is the big issue, it really looks terrible.

[toejam]

Congrats! Lemon oil to clean the whole thing. Scrub with a toothbrush on the neck/frets, just an old rag/T-shirt for the body.

[rjohnstone]

I saw the eBay pics.... yeesh... that is gross.

Some naphtha would probably be in order to start with.
Go to lemon oil afterwards and then a cleaner/conditioner like Scott's liquid gold or something similar.

[MartinBarre]

I couldn't really see the black parts in the ebay pics to be honest, I was shocked when I opened the case. Just had a couple of minutes jamming on it and it kicks ass. The sustainer seems to differ from the Sustainiac in that you can use any pickup, whereas the Sustainiac always switches to the bridge. I never realised the PC1 was different in that respect. Cool!

I'll need to get some lighter fluid and lemon oil. You guys think I can actually get this thing fully clean? I've had a go with a baby wipe and it's slightly better but still just grubby. The guy that had this before must have been a fucking coal miner with corrosive sweat!

[MartinBarre]

Oh, the neck. Phil always talks about it being like a baseball bat. I was a little worried I might not like it, but to be honest, the neck on my SL3 is, as far as I recall, a bit thicker.
The SL3 has always been my favourite guitar, I wonder if that'll change now...

[rjohnstone]

Some of that "blackness" may have penetrated deep into the grain.
You may never get it all out short of sanding down the finish.

And Yeah... this guy must have been one filthy animal.
I've had may Au Natural PC1 since '05 and it pretty much looks as good as the day I got it.
One tiny wear spot by the volume knob, but nothing you won't immediately see.

[Dave1968]

I replied on your other thread:Cool score you've got your guitar!
Methylated spirit is okay on maple. Use a cotton bud, Scotch pad or fine toothbrush for fretwire and a couple of microfibre clothes, one to soak and rub against the grain to wash out and the other dry cloth to make any residue. The alcohol won't lift the grain like water. Vodka works too but expensive and you end up drinking it.
Look forward to some pics!!
Coal miner

[MartinBarre]

Yeah, seriously - not only is the gold hardware all pitted but the fretboard is black and there are black spots on the body. There's like a major black gouge under the bridge pickup and some round the controls, as if he had fucking coal dust all over his hands every time he played. I know he bought it new for around £3000 - how can anyone pay that for a guitar and not clean the fucker?! I clean even my cheapest guitars so they don't discolour, this is just ridiculous.
It plays great though, just had a jam on "Creeping Death", moving on to "Rock 'n' roll"...

[MartinBarre]

20150421_230921 by stormwatch1977, on Flickr

20150421_230937 by stormwatch1977, on Flickr

20150421_231012 by stormwatch1977, on Flickr

20150421_231032 by stormwatch1977, on Flickr

[MartinBarre]

20150421_231114 by stormwatch1977, on Flickr

20150421_231123 by stormwatch1977, on Flickr

20150421_231203 by stormwatch1977, on Flickr

20150421_231222 by stormwatch1977, on Flickr

[MartinBarre]

20150421_231247 by stormwatch1977, on Flickr

[rjohnstone]

Previous owner must have had acid for sweat. The pitting on the trem arm looks horrible. Fortunately they are easily replaced.
Despite all the dirt, she's still a good looking guitar.

[shreddermon]

+1. Nice guitar, shame about how grungy the prior owner let it get. Hopefully it cleans up for you to its former glory. Congrats.

[MartinBarre]

Cheers! Just off to the shop to see if I can get some lighter fluid (what we call naptha over here apparently).

[MartinBarre]

Okay, used some naptha on the body - will do the fretboard once I get the lemon oil delivered. It's made a slight difference - more grey than black at least...

Question: how can I make the body shiny? I think the main problem with how it looks is the fact it's just dull and matte-looking. The flame doesn't spring out as I expected it would. I think if I could get it shiny it would make a huge difference.

I mean, look at this one, that must be shiny right?




EDIT to also ask: the fretboard....is it finished or unfinished? I believe it's oiled (from another thread) does that mean it's perfectly alright to use lemon oil (which, apparently, you should NOT use on an unfinished maple neck)...I'm gettting a headache with all this!