Members rydia is hot Posted January 31, 2010 Members Share Posted January 31, 2010 So...I have an 86 Les Paul Standard that has way too much sentimental value to sell (it belonged to George McCorkle, a good friend). But the thing is ugly (to me). A nasty cherry sunburst finish with a not-so-well-matched three piece top (ah, 80s Gibsons). Is having a pro refinishing it a horrible idea, if I am 100% I will never sell it? I'm serious about that - this will be a family piece that I don't want sold, ever. And if one of my kids decides to go against that wish, well...I'm glad they'll get burned on the resale Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mrbrown49 Posted January 31, 2010 Members Share Posted January 31, 2010 Nothing wrong with that at all. Just have it redone with nitro to preserve the same feel. Of course that will mean it will be out of commission for a bit while the finish cures but it sounds like it will be well worth the wait. Oh, and shop carefully for someone you feel confident will do the guitar justice. What color were you thinking of having it redone in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rydia is hot Posted January 31, 2010 Author Members Share Posted January 31, 2010 blacktop or goldtop. pelham blue would be awesome, but expensive, i think... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mitchell? Posted January 31, 2010 Members Share Posted January 31, 2010 Blacktop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jtr654 Posted January 31, 2010 Members Share Posted January 31, 2010 Don't refinish it'll be worth more left as is. What so bad about a cherry sunburst? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members vcnyls Posted January 31, 2010 Members Share Posted January 31, 2010 genuine answer - if you don't ever want to sell it, do whatever you want to it so it becomes something you want to play and enjoy more! that's the real way to treat it and do justice to the gift from your friend. practical answer - it's an 80's gibson and won't ever really be worth a fortune anyway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jtr654 Posted January 31, 2010 Members Share Posted January 31, 2010 Vcnyl. I said the same thing about late 60/70's Strats and look at the price of them now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NashSG Posted January 31, 2010 Members Share Posted January 31, 2010 If you are looking for someone to do a re-finish, I'd check out these guys. I've never had a guitar refinished by RS but they have worked on some of my guitars for electronic kits. Every time I have been over to their shop (as they are local to me) I see a few things that blow me a way that they are working upon. They are pros and do quite a bit of work for pros.http://www.rsguitarworks.net/cms2/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rydia is hot Posted January 31, 2010 Author Members Share Posted January 31, 2010 Don't refinish it'll be worth more left as is. What so bad about a cherry sunburst? well, i'm not too torn up about resale, as it's not getting sold. i know that phrase gets thrown around a lot on these forums, but it's the only piece of gear that i've never considered letting go of. the cherry sunburst just looks really meh. it's not faded well and the three piece top looks pretty bad... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Elias Graves Posted January 31, 2010 Members Share Posted January 31, 2010 genuine answer - if you don't ever want to sell it, do whatever you want to it so it becomes something you want to play and enjoy more! that's the real way to treat it and do justice to the gift from your friend.practical answer - it's an 80's gibson and won't ever really be worth a fortune anyway People once said the same about a '50s Gibson. They were wrong. EG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GuitarNoobie Posted February 24, 2010 Members Share Posted February 24, 2010 let's see what it looks like... and if you are never gonna sell it, do what you want with it. however someday it will be worth more and resale will be hurt, but it sounds like you totally understand and accept that. but let's see this nasty sunburst, i am curious now... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members James Hetfield Acne Scars Posted February 24, 2010 Members Share Posted February 24, 2010 PICS NOW! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members k4df4l Posted February 24, 2010 Members Share Posted February 24, 2010 Yeah, there will be a day that 80s LPs become seriously collectible and the prices get stupid but when that day comes that demand is big and supply is too small & kicks prices way up is anyones guess right now. One thing to consider is that obviously it has high sentimental value to you because it belonged to your friend. Your friend chose that guitar for a reason and while it may not visually appeal to you, you might want to consider that before deciding to refin. The guitar is your friend's legacy to you and some would think a refin diminishes that connection....others don't see it that way. Either way, it's your guitar & future resale is not an issue to you so if you want to refin it, I say do it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Artslinger Posted February 24, 2010 Members Share Posted February 24, 2010 I don't like the idea of refinishing original older guitars, that worn "patina" finish is what makes an old guitar so nice. Then again it is your guitar so do what you want, black would be nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 59humbucker Posted February 24, 2010 Members Share Posted February 24, 2010 I say go for it. There may be a day that 80's gibsons are worth a {censored} load, but I don't see that day coming any time soon. The main reason being that there are somewhere in the region of 1500 bursts in existance built spaning the years 58-60. I can't find the exact figures, but I've read that R9's are up to about 3k units a year now so I'd imagine the standard sells {censored} loads and always has done. The main reason the bursts are so expensive is because of their rarity and historical significance, something that will not be the case for 80's standards. Although the price of Norlin era stuff has grown, they can often be found for less than a production standard today Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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