The Guitar Gallery Forums - The Guitar Legacy of Matsumoku

I've been kinda thinking lately I'd like another S-S-S guitar.

The only one in my collection is an '81 Westone Concord II which is a very nice and comfy li'l player. But I think she's lonely in among all the humbuckers, P90s, and lipsticks! I did upgrade the pups with Warman Texas Hots and it sounds very good, but . . .you know. . .it ain't a real Strat eh?

I found this Fullerton listing on eBay and I got a tingle in my naughty parts:
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/225592978520

Not only do I have only one SSS guitar, but also only one Mats made AP Pro II, so this has a nice symmetry to it.

So what's the problem?
Everything seems OK, the price, the condition, etc. with one exception: the ghostly white remains on the body from what appears to have been magic marker writing. The guitar finish has aged beautifully otherwise.

My question to the choir is, has anyone had experience with reducing or eliminating marks like this

I had similar but much more minor condition on the white Avenger I got last year but it was ultimately inconsequential. Given Mats heavy finishes on most of the Vantages and Westones it can be pretty much futile trying to buff it out, so I don't think buffing alone would do the trick.

I'm thinking maybe exposure to bright sunlight or a UV light would help??
Whatchathink?

_________________
"A little song, a little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." -Chuckles the Clown
Guitars: https://legend.barryeames.com
Music/Pix/Videos: https://getback.barryeames.com

I'd remove the pickguard and try an automotive polishing or rubbing compound in the area under the pickguard, just to see if the finish can take it. It would be a lot of work to polish the whole body, though. Or maybe there's a clear coat that makes rubbing and buffing futile?

The crack by the neck pocket and the seam below the bridge worry me a little.

-Steve W.

Nah Steve, I'm pretty confident that's a finish stress crack, very common, no worries there.

Buffing the body is not the solution. Even if you could theoretically do it well, you'd destroy the vintage white finish, in effect doing just the opposite of what is desired. But I have a hunch that the UV discolouration penetrates the full depth of the finish.

What I'm looking for is a way to target the "scribbles" and age them to match the vintage white body if that's possible.

_________________
"A little song, a little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." -Chuckles the Clown
Guitars: https://legend.barryeames.com
Music/Pix/Videos: https://getback.barryeames.com

I do like the look of the Fullerton's especially this one in white but you know these ain't Mat right?
That crack in the neck wouldn't bother me either but that finish. . .

Maybe color the body with magic marker everywhere except where the writing was and put it in the sun. . .

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Quality service since 3:00 last Tuesday

I kinda had a hunch it might not be, but the date on the serial number shows as '85, so. . .
Do you know where these were made then?
Yeah, as much as I would like to get it, I'm not looking for another major "project".

_________________
"A little song, a little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." -Chuckles the Clown
Guitars: https://legend.barryeames.com
Music/Pix/Videos: https://getback.barryeames.com

I was thinking of rubbing it back to white, not a vintage look.

Agree they're likely post-Mat. I've seen them listed as MIK, but I'd want to see a neckplate or label that proved it. They're making new ones now: https://ariaguitarsglobal.com/product/714-mk2/

-Steve W.

The new models are nice looking. Love the roasted maple neck.

_________________
"A little song, a little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." -Chuckles the Clown
Guitars: https://legend.barryeames.com
Music/Pix/Videos: https://getback.barryeames.com

I was thinking late 80's- early 90's, website says 90's.
Looking at that color, its not a straight white. I think you could clean it up and it would still look good.
It will probably look like the JH model on the website. https://ariaguitarsglobal.com/product/714-jh-fullerton/

You know, you could always get it. . .

and send it to me. . .



*EDIT*
I have a roasted maple neck on a strat and I LOVE it.

_________________
Quality service since 3:00 last Tuesday

Thanks for the info Chris.
I'm still undecided, I'd "like" to have it but the only GAS burn I'm feeling is stomach indigestion, ya know? A product of a pancreatitis attack and gall bladder removal a year ago

_________________
"A little song, a little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." -Chuckles the Clown
Guitars: https://legend.barryeames.com
Music/Pix/Videos: https://getback.barryeames.com