1992 LP Studio water damage -help!

[BigBourgeois]

Alright, I'm new to the forum so I'm sorry if this is not the correct thread to post this. I have a guitar that was rescued from a flood. It was under water for about three days then tossed to the side of the road during the cleanup. I'm looking to see if it's worth repairing. I don't mind replacing the electronics in it. I'm more concerned if the wood is salvagable. The neck joint looks sturdy, but the maple cap looks like it swelled a bit and is separating in the middle of the guitar under the pickups. Does this go away if the wood dries up? Or is it permanent. Also the neck looks surprisingly straight (needs a fret job). It's worth noting that there is no sentimental value to this particular guitar although I am a fan of all guitars. I was hoping to rebuild this with a budget of about 2 to $300 dollars (refinish and parts). My question is: should I try to fix it or just toss it. It's a 1992 studio. Thanks for any input. Pictures should be attached. Cheers

http://rs346.pbsrc.com/albums/p408/...1_190312_zpstyahxbmt.jpg?w=480&h=480&fit=clip

http://rs346.pbsrc.com/albums/p408/...1_190324_zpsclu661ho.jpg?w=480&h=480&fit=clip

http://rs346.pbsrc.com/albums/p408/...1_190415_zpsiaeyoypx.jpg?w=480&h=480&fit=clip

http://rs346.pbsrc.com/albums/p408/...1_190334_zpsogzcjgho.jpg?w=480&h=480&fit=clip

http://rs346.pbsrc.com/albums/p408/...1_190624_zpswyfkwzqx.jpg?w=480&h=480&fit=clip

 

[Mr Chevy]

In all honesty, I would put it back together as is, make a frame out of old wood privacy fencing or barn board and hang it as wall art. I frequent a Bar-B-Q place here locally that has an old Winchester lever action rifle on the wall that is rusted and rotted as hell, but it looks cool as hell. It's an old Studio LP worth $400-600 in mint condition (Guestimating) they were about $800 new, I had a 91 bought new. $200-300 would get you half way to a nice something else, ready to play. You'll spend about $200+ just for a good fret job. To me that thing is man cave art at it's finest:salude

 

[Zentar]

Stick it on Ebay as belonging to muddy waters.

 

[BigBourgeois]

In all honesty, I would put it back together as is, make a frame out of old wood privacy fencing or barn board and hang it as wall art. I frequent a Bar-B-Q place here locally that has an old Winchester lever action rifle on the wall that is rusted and rotted as hell, but it looks cool as hell. It's an old Studio LP worth $400-600 in mint condition (Guestimating) they were about $800 new, I had a 91 bought new. $200-300 would get you half way to a nice something else, ready to play. You'll spend about $200+ just for a good fret job. To me that thing is man cave art at it's finest:salude

Yeah, I was really digging the look too. I might just hang it in the cave as you suggested. I should have at least tried to play it as is, but I was so anxious to tear it apart and see its insides that it slipped my mind. The only thing missing is the bridge and tail piece (which I could easily take off my other guitars to test it out).

Just curious, does anyone else think it's worth the effort? There's something about Peter Framptons story that makes me want to try it. (Except that I'm not nearly as good as him, or famous, or have an abundance of money.)

 

[BigBourgeois]

Stick it on Ebay as belonging to muddy waters.

Lol. The river that caused this 1 in a 1000 year flood here in Louisiana was definitely muddy!

 

[Mr Chevy]

I was thinking the whole Peter Frampton thing too, but then in his case it was a real sentimental/mojo/long lost friend kinda thing AND, it was, after all, a 54'. Ad his name and the story and history to that guitar.......well, lets just say if it ever goes up for auction, it will go for REAL stupid money, possibly the stupidest ever paid or close to it. As for yours, put it back together and see if it works. You never know, it could be the most awesome sounding guitar you've ever heard after soaking up all that MOJO:dude:

 

[Monroe]

Maybe run an ad on some of the local classified and see if you can locate the original owner.
He might love to have it back, regardless of condition.

 

[BigBourgeois]

Maybe run an ad on some of the local classified and see if you can locate the original owner.
He might love to have it back, regardless of condition.

The original owner is a friend of mine. I was helping him gut out his house and when I pulled up I saw it sitting in the trash next to his wife's baby grand piano. Of course, out of respect, I asked him if I could have it. I told him that I could try to fix it for him but he told me to just take it. I'm going to see what I can do with it and when I'm done I'll offer it back to him (if it's playable). I'll work on it this weekend and update the forum if yall are interested.

 

[Mr Chevy]

I'm sure you'll find a use for it and give it a good home with a purpose regardless of what can be done with it. But more important, wishing you all the best in recovering from the flood. I'm sure the losses are devastating and heart breaking.

 

[ChevChelios]

I don't know ... this could be a cool project. Hit it with some paint remover, sand it, take off and reglue the fretboard (see if the neck is still straight), paint it new and it could be good to go. Electronics will most likely be shot, but that's an easy fix: the pickups can be rewound (probably not worth the effort), pots and caps don't cost much. Same with good stop tailpiece & bridge replacement parts from Faber, TonePros, etc.

Could be fun :hmm

 

[El Gringo]

Try to save it :jim

 

[BigBourgeois]

Try to save it :jim

I decide to try and save it. It's completely dry. I took all the hardware off and cleaned everything up, reassembled. Everything looks straight, a few nicks and moderate dings. I'm going to order a bridge and tail piece for it and string it up and see how it plays. Any recommendations for a bridge/tail piece? I was looking at a few roller bridges and some cheap cheap stuff on ebay, etc. I dont want anything expensive but want an upgrade to stock. Any personal experiences with a good quality set? I'll try to post some updated pics. Cheers

 

[AA00475Bassman]

Clean it up get back playing and let the guitar be , cool story !