u/IceAshamed2593

If anyone has ever thought a guitar that smelled like smoke was never going to go away (like me), it can. It just takes a extraordinary amount of effort. You can see here what it looked like before. I got this 1984 Gibson Les Paul Studio Standard and it was played a lot in smokey bars in the New Orleans area. When I first got it, it made me sick just being in the same room.

For the case, I did the baking soda. I did the baking in the sun. But what did the trick was a half dozen times of wiping it down with a little soapy water, then clean water, then air drying in the sun. If it got too wet, the lining would bunch up, so I had to comb it out.

For the guitar, I thoroughly polished it several times with Music Nomad polish then Music Nomad One. I first would wipe down with naphtha (Zippo lighter fluid). It could have been done in one attempt but each time took a while and hoped that would be the last time. It was frustrating b/c I felt like I was just smearing the gunk on the surface around and not getting it off the guitar, but eventually I was able to get most off. By gunk, I mean the cloudiness/haze. I thought I was removing the finish and making it look worse. I had no idea how thick and sticky the grime was. I would work in small sections, then again in bigger sections. What I found weird and didn't know during the first few times, is after I polished, the guitar had a strong polish smell. What I now know is the gunk was trapping the polish too. 

Anyway, it was frustrating as heck and thought the smell would never completely go away. My only hope is it would smell a little better and I'd take a loss and sell it b/c it literally was making me sick. But I bought it b/c I wanted it and was tenacious and eventually successful. Most of you have probably never come across a guitar that smelled this bad, but if you do, there is hope. Thanks!

Sometimes we get posts on what what is safe to clean a nitro finish guitar. As title says, I bought a 42 year old guitar that was heavily gigged. The first pic is after I orginally did a pretty thorough job cleaning it, but I was careful because I didn't want to polish out the checking or the headstock silkscreen. When I first got it, it smelled HORRIBLE of smoke. I took off all the parts and gave it a thorough cleaning with Zippo lighter fluid Music Nomad Polish and Music Nomad One. I was able to remove about 90% of the smell. Then I took it to a shop to get refretted and when I got it back, it smelled okay and something I could live with but I could smell it. At least it didn't make the room reek. Originally, I was worried that cleaning and polishing would remove the patina. Most of you probably don't have a guitar this filthy, but I'm not worried about it anymore as you can see from the pics I took just today. When I have time, I'll take all the parts off again and do a thorough job, but just sharing how safe it is to clean a old Les Paul. I've learned that for this type of cleaning (tar and smoke), use Zippo lighter fluid (naphtha) until you can't remove any more yellow tar off, then Music Nomad Polish until you can't remove any more tar off, and do a final buff with Music Nomad One.

Cpt. Kirk has just recorded a heavy metal cover album with dozens of rock legends. The guitar in the pic is an '80s Studio Standard that I believe was gifted to him by Zack Wylde.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gq8vNlYLH7A

https://ca.billboard.com/music/rock/william-shatner-heavy-metal-album-sabbath-maiden-covers

https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/william-shatner-announces-all-star-metal-album

3^(rd) post on this guitar (sorry), and the last. I was looking for another LP for alternate tunings. I found a 1984 Studio Standard for a great deal on Reverb. But when it arrived it smelled AWFUL from smoke and the frets were down to the fretboard.

I took it to a luthier to see what I should do about the smell, sticky finish and crud so I could clean it before a fret job. He said it would air out by the time he could get to it so I ended up leaving it with him. So what originally was a good deal, ended up being a fair price. That’s life.

But when I got it back, it still smelled bad. I honestly regretted not returning it to the seller immediately b/c he didn’t disclose the stank, but too late now. I thought I could try to knock down the smell enough and try selling it with a fair warning. At least it has new frets. I took it apart completely, cleaned it thoroughly and let it sit in the sun a handful of times. I didn’t have high hopes, but I made progress. But I was persistent and now the smell is nearly non existent. It doesn't stink up the room anymore. There's just a hint if you put your nose to it. Now I kinda like it. lolI was afraid I’d polish away the patina, but there are enough dings, scratches, irregular finish, and checking that it still looks like a 40 year old guitar that’s been around the block. It’s just clean.

The original Deluxe tuners were jiggly but I fixed. Used a vise to squeeze the box against the plate, and hammer and nail to tighten the little cinches. The original Tim Shaw pickups sound like classic PAFs. Sounds like the Arcane 57 Experience PAF clones in the 2012 Standard beside it. Replica knobs are on the way since 3 of them weren't original. The bridge is not original but can't complain b/c I can only imagine what condition the original must have been in.

I haven't decided on chip and pickguard yet. Today is the first day that I restrung it after cleaning and been able to enjoy it after getting it over month ago. I went through every emotion since I made the purchase, and now made a final decision. It’s 100% a keeper. But buyer beware when buying off Reverb. Ask if it smells like smoke b/c it wasn't fun cleaning it. I'm glad I did it but wouldn't want to do it again. :)

I recently bought a 84 LP Standard Studio. It stunk bad of smoke. I took it to a luthier to schedule a fret job and ask about getting the horrible smoke smell out. I ended up leaving it with him to do the fret job. Got it back yesterday and it still smelled.

Now that I'm taking it apart, wiping with naphtha and cleaning with Music Nomad polish and cleaner. Lots of yellow scum coming off. It's looking and smelling better. It's not totally gone but I can live with it now (we'll see). I knew the pickup covers and tailpiece are chrome b/c looked like nickel due to dried sweat or tarnish. I didn't polish them but removed it.

It says "ASB" in the neck cavity. I guess it means Antique Sun Burst which was another way of saying Tobacco Burst. Bridge cavity has a signature and smudged stamp (date?). I'm glad to see it has the original Tim Shaw pickups.

Now my question. The tuners work and are not bent but are loose and wobbly with no strings. Should I do anything with them before putting it back together?

Thanks!

Got this kinda on a whim b/c I was mainly looking for a 91 Classic on Reverb and when I saw this one I favorited it. Then I got an email saying someone bid on one of my favorites. I looked and saw the original price dropped from $3500 to $2k so snagged it. Seller recently got it in a $30k guns for 8 vintage guitars trade. Made money on the other 7, so priced it to sell and be done with it. It arrived today and I'm stoked!. Feels great (8.5 lbs and slim C neck). Sounds great (original Tim Shaw pups). Neck is straight. It is definitely a fretless wonder, as in I wonder why they would do that? I will have it refretted.

It's neat guitar and the Studio Standard was made only 3-4 years after the studio was introduced in 1983 to reach those who couldn't afford a regular standard. In 1984, the regular Studio was $700, the Studio Standard was $800, the Studio Custom was $880 and the regular Standard was $1,000. Out of curiosity, I just looked up that $800 in 1984 is equivalent to $2,546 today. It has 3 piece top, dot inlays, silkscreen logo. But it has neck and body binding (hence "Studio Standard"), Tim Shaw pups, and maple neck. The Studio Custom had 7-ply binding and gold hardware. The seller said it was originally advertised as having a 59 neck, but I can't confirm that and it feels like a slim C to me. Doesn't matter b/c it's very comfortable.

Only gripe is that it stinks of smoke. After playing it, it's on my hands too. Any tips to get rid of the smell? Should I first wipe it down with naphtha, then polish with Music Nomad polish? Any tips appreciated! Thanks!

I just bought a 1984 Gibson LP Studio Standard and sure that's when the sticker was put on. Can the sticker be removed safely? Do I gently remove as much as I can and then go at it with naphtha? Then polish with MusicNomad Polish? I'll leave it alone if there a chance that it'll look worse. I don't want get some off and then realize it was better not to start. Looking for advice. Thanks!

Chrome early 90s ABR-1. Posts are sunk too, is that a problem? Reparable? Replace saddles and/or post? Thanks!

Just curious what you would do. Swap hardware to nickel, pup covers to chrome, or let it ride?