Will a refinish on a classic guitar hurt
- Thread starter 75lespaul
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JimiHWannaBe
New member
Re: Will a refinish on a classic guitar hurt
what guitar exactly are we talking about?
what guitar exactly are we talking about?
Metalman_666
Well-known member
Re: Will a refinish on a classic guitar hurt
My dad has a classical guitar he bought in Spain about 20 years ago. On the top, there's a small ding that took off the finish and exposed the wood grain. It still sounds amazing. One time I asked him why he wouldn't just get it fixed but he said no because the tone would be altered and it might decrease the guitar's value. Keep that in mind.
My dad has a classical guitar he bought in Spain about 20 years ago. On the top, there's a small ding that took off the finish and exposed the wood grain. It still sounds amazing. One time I asked him why he wouldn't just get it fixed but he said no because the tone would be altered and it might decrease the guitar's value. Keep that in mind.
Re: Will a refinish on a classic guitar hurt
on that piece i doubt it would hurt the value much, on a 60's fender, DONT TOUCH IT!!
vintage guitars loose value if you mess with them. the buyer for your dads guitar would probably not care all that much as long as it is done very well
on that piece i doubt it would hurt the value much, on a 60's fender, DONT TOUCH IT!!
vintage guitars loose value if you mess with them. the buyer for your dads guitar would probably not care all that much as long as it is done very well
bryvincent
New member
Re: Will a refinish on a classic guitar hurt
according to "The Classical Guitar Book: A Complete History" http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/AS...311/sr=1-22/ref=sr_1_0_22/701-7640785-7481941
"most vintage classical and flamenco guitars have had some refinishing, which is normal and well accepted.Because they were originally finished by the delicate "french polish" method with alcohol-based shellac and gum resins, it is common and even required that their finish be restored periodically. Such guitars lose little or no value because of this - a complete contrast to the vintage steel-stringed market where refinished guitars may lose up to half their value, and originality and condition can assume great importance." -Tim Miklaucic,pp.107
according to "The Classical Guitar Book: A Complete History" http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/AS...311/sr=1-22/ref=sr_1_0_22/701-7640785-7481941
"most vintage classical and flamenco guitars have had some refinishing, which is normal and well accepted.Because they were originally finished by the delicate "french polish" method with alcohol-based shellac and gum resins, it is common and even required that their finish be restored periodically. Such guitars lose little or no value because of this - a complete contrast to the vintage steel-stringed market where refinished guitars may lose up to half their value, and originality and condition can assume great importance." -Tim Miklaucic,pp.107
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Will a refinish on a classic guitar hurt
I agree. I'd leave it alone. It's just going to get scratched again someday anyway. To me, if a guitar looks worn and played it just means someone liked it enough to play the heck out of it. Gives it that human quality. I don't think guitars should be refinished unless they've already been refinished poorly! Lew
Scott_F said:
I agree. I'd leave it alone. It's just going to get scratched again someday anyway. To me, if a guitar looks worn and played it just means someone liked it enough to play the heck out of it. Gives it that human quality. I don't think guitars should be refinished unless they've already been refinished poorly! Lew
75lespaul
New member
Re: Will a refinish on a classic guitar hurt
I'm looking at two that have already been refinished. I was going to restore them to their original colors. I had no idea that a refin alters the tone!
Yes, they're a couple of old sixties Fender Mustangs. One was originally red and was spray painted black and the other is sanded down to the bare wood. My first "name" guitar was a Mustang I got in 1980. Even only playing at the time for six or eight months, I could feel the difference between the Fender and the Kay Les Paul I had. I'm getting nostalgic and wanted to pick another one up. Mine was that classic brownish, orangish sunburst with a black pickguard.
I have no idea what the year was because I sold it just a few months after getting it to buy my first Gibson Les Paul. Yeah, you could pick up a Les Paul back then for about $275 which is what I paid for my 72 deluxe. I paid $200 for the Stang. :smack:
I guess for these two guitars, the value and tone have already been compromised so restoring them to their original colors would be okay. :smoker: :question:
I'm looking at two that have already been refinished. I was going to restore them to their original colors. I had no idea that a refin alters the tone!
Yes, they're a couple of old sixties Fender Mustangs. One was originally red and was spray painted black and the other is sanded down to the bare wood. My first "name" guitar was a Mustang I got in 1980. Even only playing at the time for six or eight months, I could feel the difference between the Fender and the Kay Les Paul I had. I'm getting nostalgic and wanted to pick another one up. Mine was that classic brownish, orangish sunburst with a black pickguard.
I have no idea what the year was because I sold it just a few months after getting it to buy my first Gibson Les Paul. Yeah, you could pick up a Les Paul back then for about $275 which is what I paid for my 72 deluxe. I paid $200 for the Stang. :smack:
I guess for these two guitars, the value and tone have already been compromised so restoring them to their original colors would be okay. :smoker: :question:
XSSIVE
OCDologist
Re: Will a refinish on a classic guitar hurt
IMO since they have been altered allready (i won't call it restored when spray paint is involved) your fine with having them refinished. in that case if it's a pro job you may increase the value from the state they are in now. they will still be worth less than if the had been left 100% origional but a perfect refinish on an old guitar is worth more than a sanded off finish or a spray can finish.
-Mike
IMO since they have been altered allready (i won't call it restored when spray paint is involved) your fine with having them refinished. in that case if it's a pro job you may increase the value from the state they are in now. they will still be worth less than if the had been left 100% origional but a perfect refinish on an old guitar is worth more than a sanded off finish or a spray can finish.
-Mike
75lespaul
New member
Re: Will a refinish on a classic guitar hurt
Cool. I didn't think a refin would make it worthless, but I didn't know if affected the value a ton or not. I want to get them for my daughters who are only one and two but can't stay away from my guitar. I can't even play if they're in the room, they're like a pack of hyenas on a carcass! Slammin and pullin--eyes light up like christmas trees. Cutest thing you ever saw! I just didn't want some smartass punk to embarrass them by claiming in front of a crowd that it's refinished and a worthless piece of garbage. I've got some active imagination, huh?
I just remember a few (very few) kids I knew when I was young who got vintage guitars from their dads and I want to do the same for them. One kid had a mint Fender precision bass from the fifties. I want to say 54 but I'm not sure. Another had an old fifties strat. :stooges: :beerchug: :jester: :jester:
Cool. I didn't think a refin would make it worthless, but I didn't know if affected the value a ton or not. I want to get them for my daughters who are only one and two but can't stay away from my guitar. I can't even play if they're in the room, they're like a pack of hyenas on a carcass! Slammin and pullin--eyes light up like christmas trees. Cutest thing you ever saw! I just didn't want some smartass punk to embarrass them by claiming in front of a crowd that it's refinished and a worthless piece of garbage. I've got some active imagination, huh?
I just remember a few (very few) kids I knew when I was young who got vintage guitars from their dads and I want to do the same for them. One kid had a mint Fender precision bass from the fifties. I want to say 54 but I'm not sure. Another had an old fifties strat. :stooges: :beerchug: :jester: :jester:
