Talk me out of/into doing this to my lp

[jake_xms3_punk]

I got a 60's tribute in honey burst for quite a good price. To be honest I was a little underwhelmed by it.
I have a lp special dc that does the p90 thing better along with other guitars with phat cats and whatnot so I've ordered some custom mini buckers from zhangbucker. so that's the sound sorted. Then I got thinking about the looks, Which led me to this ...

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/gibson-les-pauls/153573-shining-gibson-les-paul-60s-tribute-part-2-lots-pics.html

And this

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/gibson-les-pauls/118758-polishing-honeyburst-50s-tribute.html


Am insane? I'm trying to make this guitar something it's not, but I'm not getting along with it. The finish looks cheap and unfinished and the faux binding could be so much nicer. I don't want to sell it as it plays great, has a great natural tone and the 60's neck fits my hand like a glove. I think Id show her more love with new pickups and a make over.

These aren't exactly collector pieces or going to be worth big bucks in the future are they, so resale value doesn't really bother me unless I still don't get on with it after the mods.

I can't afford a "proper lp" right now otherwise I would probably leave it alone.

 

[elscorcho]

Re: Talk me out of/into doing this to my lp

I say go for it! The glossy top & "binding" changes really dress it up. That and adding those MiniHums will look awesome.

Good Luck!

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Talk me out of/into doing this to my lp

That honeyburst in your second link is amazing. The shine really makes the grain pop. If I had one with a top like that, I'd be buying polishing supplies right now.

 

[jake_xms3_punk]

Re: Talk me out of/into doing this to my lp

Cheers guys! I thought everyone would say it was a stupid idea. still early days i suppose. Lol

I'm just worried Incase I rub through the thin finish, I think ill be fine with a lighter touch.


Edit: I want to finish the faux binding in nitro. Is there some kind of wipe on nitro availiable? I've seen wipe on poly but not nitro. I have a rattle can of clear nitro, what would be the best way to use it other than masking off the entire body? Could I spray some into a container or onto a cloth? Lol

 

[TheLivingDead]

Re: Talk me out of/into doing this to my lp

Why not! It seems like a super simple thing to do to make a guitar go from blah to dayum.

Do eet.

 

[ginormous]

Re: Talk me out of/into doing this to my lp

I'm just worried Incase I rub through the thin finish, I think ill be fine with a lighter touch.

A light touch, get the finest polishing compound you can find, and slow down the drill (if vari speed). Better to make a few passes and take off a little at a time.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Talk me out of/into doing this to my lp

Masking tape is your friend, Grasshopper. Use it wisely.

Whatcha gonna do with the "surplus" P90s? :naughty:

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Talk me out of/into doing this to my lp

Do eet!

Spraying a gloss can of Reranch clear lacquer first will likely give you even "better" results.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Talk me out of/into doing this to my lp

Whats the plan? To cut the finish back with compound? then polish it back up?

If so i suggest when using the cutting compound you do it by hand and only in small sections at a time. With the compound use a damp rag and only use it in small amounts. Another tip i have is when cutting it back don't go in a circular motion sort of burnish it along the grain so to speak. And i think its pretty unlikely u will bust through the finish.

 

[jake_xms3_punk]

Re: Talk me out of/into doing this to my lp

Thanks guys. I have some car polish that I've used to buff guitars before so was thinking of using that. I normally use a buffing wheel but I think ill do this by hand. what grit sandpaper do you think I should use for the binding?

 

[AlexR]

Re: Talk me out of/into doing this to my lp

What type of wind did you choose from Zhang?? I've got a set from him and they're fantastic.

I've also polished up my 60's trib....not all over but just the top. I'd say that you could probably do with giving the guitar a pass or two all over with your rattlecan nitro. Strip all the hardware and tape off the fretboard. At the minimum it will give you more protection from rub-through, but it will also enhance your chances of a flatter glossier result.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Talk me out of/into doing this to my lp

I'd love to stop you, except that I THINK IT'S A FREAKING AWESOME IDEA!!!!!!

 

[jake_xms3_punk]

Re: Talk me out of/into doing this to my lp

I thought about spraying a few coats over the top but I wouldn't wanna mess it up and knowing my luck I probably would lol

I ordered hotter ones 11k ish in the bridge and 9k ish in the neck with A5 mags.

I'm going to keep the p90's funk fingers, they are great pickups just fancied something different as i have plenty of p90 guitars and no mini humbuckers. I'm sure i will find something for them to go in lol

 

[AlexR]

Re: Talk me out of/into doing this to my lp

You'll love them....mine are weaker as I still want the proper mini vibe but without the anemic tone. It also helps that mine are in a 10lb Norlin Deluxe rather than a 7lb chambered studio. I've also got A5 mags, and there is no mud in the neck, in fact it does a really great job of vintage blues.

re: spray. I put the can in warm water for a few minutes when I did my guitars, and it came out without splatter and had smooth even coverage. As you're doing clear, and with the same type of paint catalyst I would say to do a coat. You'll only have to do more sanding if all fails.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Talk me out of/into doing this to my lp

Definitely spray a couple coats or more of clear gloss first. You don't want to sand/polish through or even into the color coat. Then you will have BIG problems trying to fix it. An extra step to start with will save you lots of steps (work, time, and $$$) in the future.

 

[richard parker]

Re: Talk me out of/into doing this to my lp

Do it - you'll have a better guitar and it will be unique. When someone says 'Wow, where can I get one of those?' you can say 'You can't'.

 

[Push to Shuv]

Re: Talk me out of/into doing this to my lp

Go for it, I have polished both of my Tributes using Virtuoso with good results. Tributes are excellent guitars, make it your own. I have a lot of money and time invested in mine

 

[BEACHBUM]

Re: Talk me out of/into doing this to my lp

You're doing a good thing. The bottom line is that other than cosmetics there isn't a whole lot of difference between a lower end Les Paul and a Custom. Apples to apples basically the same stuff and definitely the same playability and sound quality. I own two Gibsons. An ES 137 Custom and a Studio. The $1300 Studio plays and sounds every bit as good as the $3000 ES. When it comes down to the bones a Gibson is a Gibson. I love my Gibsons but my big time complaint right now is their crappy finishes. Gibson just isn't spending the time and money to do the lacquer jobs properly. I wish they would either do them the way they should be done or just give it up and go to poly like everyone else. Gibsons so called gloss finish on my Studio wasn't anything to brag about either. I finally took it to my tech and had him buff it out properly.