Punkavenger Posted October 5, 2009 Posted October 5, 2009 With my new bass Gibson puts out a pamphlet, which is basically useless, but they do bring up the point that the lacquer on the bass can react with the rubber on the guitar stand thus causing problems ... Since the bass is white and brand new ... is this actually a potential problem? I've never had any problems with any of my HamersAnd since this seems to be a popular topic recently ... What wax or polish to use on the Gibson? It does seem to be a thinner more stereotypical lacquer finish whereas my Hamers appear to be a more industrial strength automotive finish sort of thing. Perhaps the Meguiars is too toxic for the Gibson? Maybe not?Thanks!
RobB Posted October 5, 2009 Posted October 5, 2009 Never had a problem with these and my Gibsons:Ultimate SupportAs far as polish goes, I like Dunlop 65. Use a clean, old tshirt or a microfiber cloth available at autoparts stores.
atquinn Posted October 5, 2009 Posted October 5, 2009 Since the bass is white and brand new ... is this actually a potential problem? I've never had any problems with any of my HamersDefinitely a potential problem. When in doubt; definitely use stands that are advertised as being nitro safe!-Austin
JohnnyB Posted October 5, 2009 Posted October 5, 2009 I have a 1987 G&L Lynx bass I rescued from a pawn shop in July 1998. I first saw it in Dec. 1997 but didn't buy it because I was unemployed at the time. I did check it over and it was cosmetically near perfect, including the area on the headstock where it was hanging on the wall. When I went back the following July and bought it, the clear finish on the headstock had worn/eaten away where it had been in contact with the rubber sleeves of the guitar hanger. Also, Gibson has their own line of guitar care products, so those should be safe. Their guitar polish seems to be pretty popular. Notice they also have stuff for fretboards and for cleaning metal hardware.
Steve Haynie Posted October 5, 2009 Posted October 5, 2009 Find the stands with the thick black foam rubber and you will be OK.
cmatthes Posted October 5, 2009 Posted October 5, 2009 There was a thread recently on another board where a guy with a recent Les Paul and another one with a new PRS where pretty dramatic finish damage resulted from surgical tubing on a stand and a leather (PRS!) strap, respectively.They were both kinda ugly.
Jeff R Posted October 5, 2009 Posted October 5, 2009 For cleaning your Gibson, use GHS polish, the stuff in the black bottle, it's a white cream that you use like a common car wax. Follow the instructions on the bottle. It will clean that sticky crud that builds on top of the current Gibson nitro concoction from your skin oils (aka the cloudy shit) with no damage to the finish and it makes it feel great under your hands too. I hit my Flying V's neck and where my arm goes over the body with the GHS and it works like a charm.I use a Hercules hanging stand for my V. Black foam rubber. No surgical tubing.
tbonesullivan Posted October 5, 2009 Posted October 5, 2009 Yep... again try to stick to the black foam rubber, and not the latex surgical tubing. Nitrocellulose lacquer is a solvent based finish, so it never really "cures" it just dries. If exposed to certain solvents/plasticizers, it will get eaten into. For My nitro guitars I use the Gibson pump polish, which did wonders on my heritage's finish. like the Gibson finish it's a relatively thin finish that can quickly get eaten through.What suprises me to most is that with Gibson being such a popular brand that so many companies put out stands that are not nitro-safe. The only "good" part of the whole thing is that nitro is relativey easily touched up, compared to polyurethane and polyester.Then again polyester looks at most solvents and laughs. They are also far more resistant to light degradation.And one other thing: Vinyl also eats through lacquer, so do NOT leave your guitar sitting on top of your case, which may be covered with vinyl. Don't rest it up against an amp that is covered with Vinyl. etc etc etc.
Frank Posted October 6, 2009 Posted October 6, 2009 My bass player got a new Gibson. He played one gig with it (outside and hot) and the finish where his right arm touched it turned white. Gibson charged him big bucks to refinish it. No more Gibsons for him!
tbonesullivan Posted October 6, 2009 Posted October 6, 2009 My bass player got a new Gibson. He played one gig with it (outside and hot) and the finish where his right arm touched it turned white. Gibson charged him big bucks to refinish it. No more Gibsons for him! wow! Did he have insect repellant on? or sunscreen? Unfortunately those can ALSO do a number on gibson finishes.
Punkavenger Posted October 6, 2009 Author Posted October 6, 2009 Now that I'm moderately petrified I threw an old tee shirt over the guitar stand ... and swear not to use my car wax on the Gibby Fortunately shes got a great personality ... low action, no buzz, light weight, perfect neck, great tone, great shape ... I'll try to avoid the weird discolorations and what not but if it happens its not gonna kill me. Thanks everyone!
cmatthes Posted October 6, 2009 Posted October 6, 2009 Now that I'm moderately petrified I threw an old tee shirt over the guitar stand ... and swear not to use my car wax on the Gibby Fortunately shes got a great personality ... low action, no buzz, light weight, perfect neck, great tone, great shape ... I'll try to avoid the weird discolorations and what not but if it happens its not gonna kill me. Thanks everyone! One more for ya, Mark - use white or light colored rags/polish cloths. Leaving a red T-shirt draped over a stand where a white guitar rests will eventually get you a nice pink spot. Didn't happen to me, but I've seen the direct results of that and it didn't take long at all.
Punkavenger Posted October 6, 2009 Author Posted October 6, 2009 Thanks! I'm not that stupid but ... almost! White t-shirt in place ... Gentlemen ... start your engines!
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