Grungy sustain block, should I care?

[bry4321]

Current settings are fine, no adjustments needed. 

Any point in cleaning it up/lubing it? Can that be done on the body and if so how without damaging the surrounding finish?

Should I remove it and if so what should I use on it? 

Or “it it’s not broke don’t fix it” just leave as is? 
 

It’s not just grime but some finish issues. 
 

 

[Jimbilly]

at the very least, dab some appropriate oil on anything with threads and see if the little fasteners move without having to use too much force.  You could use a q-tip and 'paint' it with tri flow or gun oil, that wouldn't hurt. 

[RobB]

Wouldn’t hurt to remove it and soak the saddles/screws in naphtha or 3in1 oil. Use a stiff toothbrush to scrub away the goo. Clean/oil anything threaded. Check the Allen screws for corrosion and make sure none are stripped.

Kind of a PITA, I know, but the bridge is prolly due for an overhaul. 

[Jimbilly]

Don't forget about the trick somebody shared on another thread, about using the tip of a soldering iron to help get stuck saddle height screws to loosen up.

[bry4321]

Thanks everyone. I removed it and cleaned it up. Replaced the saddle height screws with 1/4” 4-40 stainless steel oval tip screws. Only had trouble removing a couple. Had to resort to pliers to get one screw out that wouldn’t budge even after lube and heat. Now I just need to fix some of the wiring since the previous owner moved around which pot does what. Will take it to someone who knows what they are doing for that. 

[bry4321]

[JGale]

Six tiny souls staring stage left singing “Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah por favor!

[Cboss]

Personally when I get a new old guitar I take all that stuff completely apart, oil everything, wax everything, polish everything, it is a lot of work but then you put it back together, it's done once, and every time you see that guitar glowing looking Beyond perfect it's worth every bit of effort

[stonge]

i wouldn't worry much about the finish issues if the bridge is functional; call it 'reliced' lol.  those black oxide saddle height screws can get rusted in place and are tough to remove.  If they are in the right place and action is reasonable then leave it.  I think i have some stainless steel saddle height screws and stainless steel intonation screws somewhere around here if you want them and I can find them lol. At least those shouldn't rust in place. Let me know and i'll try to dig them out.