Vintage Fender refinish recommendations

MikeS

I have decided to have my 1973 Fender Strat refinished. It has been taken back to natural by a previous owner anyway, so no real loss in originality value having it refinished now I don't think. I knew I wanted Sunburst, but it wasn't until yesterday when I saw a similar period Fender Bass on one of the online stores for sale. (the post has disappeared so I assume they've sold it). But this is exactly how I want the refinish to be as it's utterly gorgeous, and ticks all the boxes for me. I also want to keep the little tooling dowel holes at the bottom of the front and back visible. So a relic'd target sunburst it is.

Who do you recommend. And please, If there are any of the forum paint guys out there that want the job, give me a shout, either publicly or by PM.

Or... what would you do?, leave it be, different finish option?

   

Iamnobody

@GoldenEraGuitars ;

BeardyAndy

Another vote for @GoldenEraGuitars ;

I love a relic’d guitar but that bass is a bit too far for me, I’ve a sunburst Tele at the other end of the scale. It’s so lightly relic’d that it just looks untidy as opposed to used!

KDS

I’d leave it......

Lebarque

@lamf68 @rexter ;

the_jaffa

Absolutely @GoldenEraGuitars No finer man for the job

RichardT

Is that one of those late 60s faux burst - ie painted-on grain - finishes?  [edit] no, you can see the joins on the back. They can look pretty cool though, eg:  https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/416032515785750/

Sassafras

Whatever turns you on, I suppose.

RichardT

Well, by definition a real relic is cooler than a faked-up one. A faked-up relic 60s faked-up ash grain sunburst wouldn't be top of my wishlist either though, right enough.

munckee

@iamf68. ;

MikeS

Sassafras said:

Whatever turns you on, I suppose.

As a finish on my Guitar?... no, that's not a good idea.

Gassage

Mike
Retro 169
SC Relics
Joe DObson

You also need to make a call on poly or nitro.

MikeS

^

Yes, so far think I'm staying period correct and going Poly with this, but I'd like some thoughts.

Gassage

MikeS said:

^

Yes, so far think I'm staying period correct and going Poly with this, but I'd like some thoughts.

Well, you need also to factor in curing time- Nitro realistically is gonna be 8 weeks on that guitar, but you'll get better relicing

Poly is less easy to relic and far more durable, quicker to cure, but it'll be hard to get it like the one you've linked above

I'd personally go Nitro on it

Gassage

Mike, also, Fabien at Relic-Arte in France is a genius, but he gets booked ages in advance. His work is magnificent though.

MikeS

@Gassage ;; There you go, I'm so glad I asked as hadn't heard of him, and having a quick look his stuff is exactly what I'm after. 5 month turnaround though in France. Phew! Great option though and very decently priced by the looks of it too..

bbill335

If you want a less common colour, i don't think anyone in UK is better than Rexter. His charcoal frost is nicer than my MJT

p90fool

KDS said:

I’d leave it......

Me too. It's already an old guitar with a story to tell, why add a fake ending? 

victorludorum

What are the joins like on it? Personally I hate it when the joins are very evident, but some people like that. With a sunburst they stick out like a sore thumb.

munckee

p90fool said:

KDS said:

I’d leave it......

Me too. It's already an old guitar with a story to tell, why add a fake ending? 

If it hadn't been refinished I would agree but if its already been changed I would consider painting.  Personally I'd go nitro over poly.

GuyR

I can understand your dilemma. Relic poly finishes don't look anywhere near as good as nitro, but are authentic to the age of the guitar. If you ever sell, the refinish won't have added to the value. I'd be very tempted to leave it exactly as-is and buy an original sunburst when you can afford it. If your taste is for really heavily-worn finishes (as is mine-the bass in your OP looks magnificent, if a little too clean), you can still get decent value. It's a perfect excuse for getting another strat. Bravewood will do a great refinish. Nitro only.