>>9491850That really sucks. Haven't had the misfortune myself, but from what I've heard disassembly is a safer bet.
If you can't properly inspect it after cleaning there's a risk that the worms could return. If the wood looses structural integrity you'd have to rehouse the entire thing, which I'm guessing is out of the question if it's an old premium quality box. You just can't get the same response with anything else than the original wood.
That's actually the thing I like the most about the rare old premium boxes over high-end modern models. Back then, every good box was a piece of art. The box was a culmination of a master boxmaker's expertise, the tradition of the craft, and the regional style. The build quality was so precise that each piece of wood was specifically selected to give the highest quality end product.
Personally I'd never try to do something like that on my own on a collector piece. That guy you met could probably get you in touch with someone who does box refurbishing. It can be a bit pricey, but showing that it's been properly taken care of actually increases resale value.
>>9489264If you buy a modern fingerbox with RGB lights or whatever that's on you. There are many different mid to high range manufacturers that have models with great feel and tasteful designs. Lights, screens, and, God forbid, speakers are all just gimmicks for low tier products.
