Some Good News
Oh happy day! My recommendations have been accepted by the owner of this 2007 Ibanez RG370DX, and it's all systems go. Replacement electronics include two full-sized Alpha A500K pots, a generic PCB-based five-way switch, poly 0.022uf tone cap, and a Switchcraft output jack. Meanwhile, new hardware that will be installed includes various pickup screws and springs, an oval chrome-plated output jack plate, plus a tremolo claw, screws and springs. And, lest I forget, a fresh set of Dunlop DEN 09/42 strings.
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| Hardware and Electronics Replacements |
Servicing the Hardware
And what of the existing hardware? I'm glad you asked you asked that question, for each and every piece of retained hardware has been pampered with lots of TLC. First of all, three 10-minute sessions in an ultrasonic bath, followed by a good going-over with a toothbrush. Next, being allowed to dry naturally overnight. And finally, a lube job, courtesy of
Aeropak MultiLube Multi-Purpose Spray Lubricant.
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| Hardware After Ultrasonic Bath | Image 1 |
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| Hardware After Ultrasonic Bath | Image 2 |
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| MultiLube Treatment in Progress |
Hardware Reassembly and More
Let's talk about the Edge III bridge first, shall we? Now, you might recall seeing quite a lot of corrosion, especially on the low E saddle. Well, the issue's been addressed somewhat, thanks to a rotary tool and abrasive buff attachment. The Edge III has now been serviced and fully reassembled, with the high and low E saddles switched. No worries, for both these saddles are identical, as are the A and B; and the D and G saddles.
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| Seriously Corroded Low E Saddle |
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| Edge III Reassembled After Servicing |
Remember those loose tremolo stud bolts? Thankfully, I've come up with a workaround that's based on two-part epoxy. Coat the tremolo stud bolt threads liberally with the epoxy, wipe off the excess, and let it cure overnight. Applying epoxy in this manner results in the grooves between the threads becoming shallower, thus enabling a snug fit when the bolt is screwed into its insert.
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| Loose Tremolo Stud Bolts |
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| Bolts After Epoxy Treatment |
On to the strap buttons, then. Yes, those two screws are really rusty, and prime candidates for an early retirement. On the bright side, the strap buttons themselves have cleaned up nicely, as have the felt washers. As such, all I've had to do is put in two new strap button screws, and reach for a Phillips head screwdriver.
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| Rusty Strap Button Screws |
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| New Strap Button Screws |
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| Strap Buttons Reinstalled |
Broken Screw Extraction
While unscrewing the lower left truss rod cover screw, it snapped, leaving most of it embedded in the wood. Okie dokie, one screw to extract. Surprise, surprise! Closer examination reveals another embedded screw from a hitherto unknown mishap. Oh well, I now have to deal with two embedded screws. The most practical solution, as always, is to employ a drill press with a really small hollow punch as a drill bit, remove waste wood, and plug the holes.
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| The Screw I Broke |
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| Drilling Out Two Broken Screws |
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| Broken Screws Extracted |
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| Screw Holes Plugged |
Fretboard and Frets
It's a wonderful feeling, discovering that the frets on this guitar are nice and level with the neck straightened. Of course, they still need to be cleaned of crud and tarnish, and then polished with 0000 grade steel wool. The rosewood fretboard, meanwhile, needs to be lightly abraded to remove embedded grime, and then cleaned with naphtha. Following this would be conditioning with tried-and-true lemon oil.
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| Fretboard/Fret Cleaning |
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| Polishing the Frets |
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| Conditioning the Rosewood Fretboard |
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