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I've just come across an old (20+ years) Fernandez Strat-style neck and a no-name, pretty butchered up Tele copy body. I'm planning on sanding the body down, making some repairs and refinishing it for my dad, who owns the parts, but the neck I'd like to leave as is, per his request.

The only problem, the guitar was partially assembled and placed in a corner of a room in a house in Alabama in 1987. Then, the house caught fire. No fire damage to the guitar, but plenty of soot, smoke, and residue all over the neck, fingerboard, body, and exposed electronics. It was placed in a Hefty bag, transported to Florida where my family relocated (I was 16 at the time), and then spent time from the late, late 80's to today in a garage, where I dug it out.

Like I said, the body is getting completely sanded down again, and even if I can't salvage it, it's no big loss because the guy my dad got the body from butchered it pretty good while trying to make (not route) a big hole for a middle humbucker pickup. Thank god for pickguards, they hide many flaws.

I would, however, like to completely clean the neck and fretboard without removing any of the original finish, since it's the reason my dad got the neck in the first place. So my question would be, what in the world can I use to remove soot and gunk off of a neck without damaging the underlying finish and the rosewood fingerboard?

I would appreciate any and all suggestions you can make, and if I have to, I can re-finish the neck. Don't be afraid to tell me it's trashed, as well, since I've already told him there may not be much we can do to it.   

Thanks,

Matt Williams
Luthier Newb

My cousin owns a smoke and fire home restoration business. I noticed his workers cleaning woodwork with Murphy's Oil Soap to remove the smell and get 'er clean.

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

I'd say try Naptha.
-C

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Freeborn Guitars
and home of BeauGuard©

Try both, but he Murphy's is good stuff, I'd try it first.

Al

Yes, you'll be able to get the neck clean enough.
Then for the body, sand it out, fill the center hole with wood. Clean up the edges of the hole as best you can and make a matching piece of wood to fit in there...then after it's all sanded and the gaps filled, seal it with shellac....and then finish it a solid color. It'll look fine. Don't just leave that hole there and cover it with a pickguard- you might as well do it right!

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Mark Swanson
Swanson Guitars
http://www.MarkSwansonMusic.com

Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions.

Mark, you pretty much summed up what I was planning on doing with this body. I just haven't decided yet what color I'm going to finish it in.   

I've decided to try and keep this thread going throughout the project. First, as a matter of pride since this will be my first real undertaking as a beginning luthier. (I've done plenty with guitar electronics, being a guitarist afforded me that luxury, but any other repairs I would have someone else do). Secondly, considering there are much more experienced eyes in this forum, I felt it would be a great opportunity to get some expert feedback as the process moved along. I feel that this project could be a great introduction to true luthier work before I actually attempt a first mutilation of a body and neck.

I'll post some pics of the 'before' in the next few hours, so that you guys can see what I'm starting with, as far as the body is concerned. I'll also post pics of the neck, but I'm anticipating that it will only need a good cleaning before it's 'like new' again.

Matt Williams
Boy Luthier

I Matt, welcome to the OLF! Sounds like you have an interesting project ahead of you!

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MWill,
Naptha, naptha, naptha....... good luck and enjoy!