Removing the 'Les Paul' logo?

LemonBurst

New member
is there a way I can do this with minmal work on the guitar? I just love the old worn out look on les pauls and old ones have that logo worn out!
 
Re: Removing the 'Les Paul' logo?

Original Les Pauls have an ink silkscreen on the surface of the headstock. Over time and polishing this is removed.

Newer ones have a sticker or similar covered in the clear lacquer on the headstock.

So in short.....no, there is no way to easily emulate a 50's guitar with yours.
 
Re: Removing the 'Les Paul' logo?

To remove it, you need to sand down through the finish and the decal, and then refinish the top surface of the head. Removing the nut before sanding, and replacing it prior to refinishing, will provide the best looking results.

With a modern Les Paul, it's easy, because the head overlay is black plastic all the way through. On an old one, it's light colored wood that is dyed black, so you can easily go too far with the sanding.
 
Re: Removing the 'Les Paul' logo?

I wouldn't do this if I had a real Les Paul. I would make a black decal with worn marks on it. That way I could reverse the effect if I had to sell the guitar. If someone looked at the guitar closely then they would see it isn't real but you would fool everyone looking at it further. To do this you would only need a printer and a decal sheet from miniature model shop.
 
Re: Removing the 'Les Paul' logo?

is there a way I can do this with minmal work on the guitar? I just love the old worn out look on les pauls and old ones have that logo worn out!

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Re: Removing the 'Les Paul' logo?

That whole "minimal work" is the problem line.

Although - the "worn decal" over top is an interesting approach.
 
Re: Removing the 'Les Paul' logo?

I'd say removing the logo will seriously hurt your chances if you're ever decide to sell it. A seriously worn guitar, even fake aged, is still worth money on the second hand market. But ne without the original logo is a big red flag, even if you can verify through serials.
 
Re: Removing the 'Les Paul' logo?

That whole "minimal work" is the problem line.

Although - the "worn decal" over top is an interesting approach.

Well one could do fancy Graphics as well with a decal. One would only need some Basic Computer skills.
 
Re: Removing the 'Les Paul' logo?

I don't think it is possible without more serious work, which I am guessing you are against (as would most of the people here). Just play the thing, it will eventually wear off.
 
Re: Removing the 'Les Paul' logo?

" Removing the 'Les Paul' logo?

is there a way I can do this with minmal work on the guitar? "


Tune the guitar up higher than standard (maybe A, D, G, C, E, A ) and wait for the headstock to pop off ?
 
Re: Removing the 'Les Paul' logo?

What I'd do is follow my advice above (strip and reshoot the peghead face), and then silkscreen the logo on. Over time, it'll wear as the old ones did, or if you were really impatient, you could have a professional "relic" it for you. Any screen printing shop should be able to do this no problem, if you have no idea how to do it yourself.
 
Re: Removing the 'Les Paul' logo?

Options that are reversible later:

1. Find some thin black filmy material with a comparable glossiness and tape it over the logo with clear tape.
2. Cover the entire headstock plate in clear tape and just paint over the Les Paul part with some glossy black paint.
3. Find a replica headstock overlay decal from one of those inlay sticker shops on Ebay that is already done up, or that can be easily modified.
 
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