Gibson les Paul Traditional Goldtop upgrades.

markj

For all of the Goldtop lovers on this Forum and I know There's a few. 

Over the course of last 2 months I've upgraded nearly everything on my 2010 Goldtop, and turned it into a superb sounding and playing Les Paul. Firstly It's been given a VOS finish using Micro mesh pads. The only things that haven't been upgraded are the original tuners, these may in the future be upgraded to a set of Schallers. 

All wiring has been upgraded using a James Home of Tone 50's wiring harness and Six string supplies Switchcraft switch and wiring.

Sunbear SB59 PAF's Absolutely fantastic pickups. Neil Ivison uses them in his builds.

All plastic parts from Charles Guitars and Crazy Parts.  

Faber Bridge and Gotoh tunomatic, may change the Gotoh to a Faber at some point. Nothing wrong with the Gotoh just think the Faber would look better. 

markj

markj

markj

markj

markj

markslade07

That’s my kind of guitar! Lovely!

rze99

Well done that looks great and I’m sure it sounds great. Be your own Custom Shop. That’s what I do. 

Alex2678

Very nice 

Funkfingers

To me, Goldtops look wrong without finish checking.

markj

Funkfingers said:

To me, Goldtops look wrong without finish checking.

It’s slowly aging a treat.

tony99

I have a GT standard and I love it, would prefer it aged but I'm scared to do anything like that, it's a 2012 but looks spotless

I had a traditional but I didn't really get on with the neck, my standard is a slim taper.

Have you got 57 classics?

LordOxygen

I have a 2003 GT (bought from Peach a few months ago), the finish is mint. Not sure how old they need to ve before it starts to age.

markj

LordOxygen said:

I have a 2003 GT (bought from Peach a few months ago), the finish is mint. Not sure how old they need to ve before it starts to age.

Mine is from 2010 and it’s started checking around the knobs.

p90fool

My 2012 Trad Gold Top was wearing pretty nicely after heavy gigging for seven years, and then it started falling off in chunks. 

I started sanding it until I realised I could strip all the top coat simply by sticking gaffa tape to it and lifting it off. 

I was half expecting a multi-piece top with a load of knots, but it was a centre-joined two piece with nice plain grain and a subtle flame in the right light. 

daveyh

How did you do the VOS finish? I want to do that to my tele, it was supposed to be satin but went glossy.

markj

With a set of these working very gently.https://www.amazon.co.uk/Micro-Mesh-Soft-Touch-Variety-Pack/dp/B000H6EC4C/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1AZWBGX6YX2EY&dchild=1&keywords=micromesh+sanding+pads&qid=1611556863&sprefix=Microme%2Caps%2C169&sr=8-5   

I only used used the fine pads just to knock back the Sheene. I have a Custom shop 335 with a VOS finish and it’s very near to that.

sawyer

I so want a gold top:(

jeztone2

markj said:

LordOxygen said:

I have a 2003 GT (bought from Peach a few months ago), the finish is mint. Not sure how old they need to ve before it starts to age.

Mine is from 2010 and it’s started checking around the knobs.

That’s weird so has mine from 2017. We moved to a Victorian house. I think it’s the wider temperature fluctuations.

daveyh

markj said:

With a set of these working very gently.https://www.amazon.co.uk/Micro-Mesh-Soft-Touch-Variety-Pack/dp/B000H6EC4C/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1AZWBGX6YX2EY&dchild=1&keywords=micromesh+sanding+pads&qid=1611556863&sprefix=Microme%2Caps%2C169&sr=8-5   

I only used used the fine pads just to knock back the Sheene. I have a Custom shop 335 with a VOS finish and it’s very near to that.

Which colours did you use? That goldtop looks awesome

markj

They’re colour coded and come with a card showing the different grades and instructions. I used the three finest with a little bit of water.