RC Stromm S-Style Needs Some Help | Part 2

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

Preamble

In Part 1, we examined the external features of this guitar as received, and also ran a few checks related to setup and electronics. Now, in this post, the RC Stromm has been taken apart for a deep dive of sorts with the aim of zoning in on what actually needs to be done.

Neck and Fretboard

The neck appears to be rift sawn maple, and the fretboard; a darkish open-grained wood. As I believe the fretboard has been dyed to look that way, I'll have to be extra careful when cleaning it. The 22 frets, meanwhile, are all badly tarnished and in need of a good scrub and polish.

Headstock Face Sans Hardware

Truss Rod Access Channel

Grimy Fretboard and Tarnished Frets

Back of Headstock Sans Tuners

Maple Neck

Neck Heel

Neck is Definitely Rift Sawn

Body and Pickguard

The dark blue gloss finish is intact, albeit marred by an ubiquitous grimy film, water stains and innumerable dust particles. Much the same may be said about the three-ply white/black/white pickguard and white pickup covers. The only remedy here is a thorough cleaning, most probably with solvents, followed by a good polishing.

Top - Grime and Dust

Cruddy Pickguard and Pickup Covers

Back - Grime and Water Stains

Area Underneath the Neck Plate

Tremolo Bridge

The vintage style six-screw tremolo bridge is chrome plated, and would normally be shiny. However, the base plate, mounting screws, saddles, intonation screws, intonation springs, and height adjustment screws have all taken on a dull appearance. We may attribute this to widespread oxidation, grime and dust. The tremolo claw, screws, springs and block fare no better, despite being shielded by the back cover.

Grimy Tremolo Bridge

Tremolo Claw, Block and Springs

Tremolo Bridge Disassembled

Empty Tremolo Cavity

Assorted Hardware

As it is with the bridge, most of the metal hardware on this guitar is in dire need of servicing. Thus said, I've taken the liberty of dismantling all hardware down to the nuts and bolts. Doing so enables me to deal with each component separately, and ensure comprehensive cleaning and polishing.

Tuners, Bushings and Washers

Neck Plate, Gasket and Screws

Tremolo Claw, Strap Buttons, and Screws

Electronics

As confirmed in Part 1, the electronics are all working as they should. Although the selector switch sometimes makes an audible click or thud, this should clear up after a spritz or two of contact cleaner. In any case, I've gone ahead and disconnected the tremolo claw ground and output jack leads, and also detached the pickguard from the body. This will allow me to service the pickguard and pickups easily, as well as clean and polish the grimy body. 

Badly Tarnished Output Jack Plate

Output Jack and Jack Cavity

Neck Pickup - Grime and Corrosion

Close-Up of Corroded Pole Pieces

Pickguard-Mounted Electronics

Three Ceramic Single-Coils

Close-Up of Mini Pots and Switch

  

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4