Any Historic Makeovers in the UK

jellybelly

Definitely leave it! Stunning guitar. I'm never one for LP bursts, often think they look tacky, but if an R8 is as accurate as many say then this is what they're supposed to look like, and I can definitely see the appeal!!

I'd see if there's a stain/oil you could apply but beyond that I can't imagine the work would be worthwhile and you might harm a perfectly beautiful instrument. 

Philly_Q

chrisv said:

Another good tip for darkening rosewood boards is bore oil. I’ve had success with this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alisyn-Conditioner-Woodwind-Protect-Condition/dp/B007PDSK84

Better than lemon oil in various respects and the appearance of the 'board is darkened and enriched for much longer. 

I've got a couple of bottles of Fret Doctor, which I think is essentially bore oil.  It was quite expensive, as far as I remember, but it's going to last me forever.

wellsyboy

I think its freaking gorgeous just how it is!

andy_k

A cheap one to try is walnut oil, available at many supermarkets, a bottle will last a lifetime, and its quite nice on salads.
I used to follow the HM threads on LP forum, and the final results always looked amazing, but I suspect it is probably cheaper in the long run to find a guitar that speaks to you, and buy it, the financials will stay the same, a full makeover is probably at least the same price as the donor guitar.
That was when you could pick up an R8 for around £2k, so I wouldn't dare to imagine the implications now.
There is a good thread somewhere on a Jaeger makeover, which showed some of the worries around fretboard / neck manufacture, a can of worms can be opened.
It's a nice guitar, I'd just oil the board and play it a lot.

RaymondLin

I would just oil it, or try stuff like Monty's Relic wax or whatever it is called.

Replacing a fretboard for the sake of shades of brown is way too big a risk of ruining a perfectly good guitar.

Loobs

Fern Evergreen? 

Loobs

But yeah that guitar is beautiful, wouldn't touch it! 

WezV

try to remember that any oils or waxes you  try will prevent you from trying other methods without going back to raw wood first... this can be difficult 

Jonathangus

I agree with the OP.  Completely sub-standard and totally worthless.  I'd be happy to arrange proper disposal.  

Seriously, though - give it a good oiling as others have suggested, and if you still don't like it, sell it and buy one you're happy with.  Don't perform expensive surgery on a perfectly lovely guitar just because it's slightly the wrong shade of brown.

scovell001

Thanks so much for the replies guys, really appreciated - I’ve put some fret doctor on it so far which has helped a little - wondering about Montypresso but worried that the fret doctor will stop it be so effective? 

RaymondLin

scovell001 said:

Thanks so much for the replies guys, really appreciated - I’ve put some fret doctor on it so far which has helped a little - wondering about Montypresso but worried that the fret doctor will stop it be so effective? 

Give it a go, the price is nothing compared to what you were budgeting for.  Plus, it's not going to get lighter by using it.

Even 5% darker is still 5% darker. 

Take before and after photos.

JerkMoans

FWIW, while other's experiences of Montypresso were, to put it mildly, variable, I got great results om my Pau Ferro Electric Xii.  Slow and steady: clean with naphtha first which seemed to make a difference, and then probably 6-8 coats, leaving each to sink in before polishing off.

A few before and after shots.  Last one being rubbed by walnuts.  Niche kinky shit.

scovell001

So, you literally got some walnuts and just rubbed them on the fb ? Lol ! - what does that do ? 

I was also considering making an ebonizing solution but was worried about long term effects of it on the fb ? 

I contacted Gibson and it seems it has an Indian RW fb 

poopot

Don’t use waxes or oils. They don’t last and don’t look right either…

if you want it darker the only way is to chemically darken it (and Iron acetate won’t work either)…

before:

After:

WezV

poopot said:

Don’t use waxes or oils. They don’t last and don’t look right either…

if you want it darker the only way is to chemically darken it (and Iron acetate won’t work either)…

before:

Fiebings leather oil/Dye works great as long as its on raw wood,  fully rubbed back, and sealed in with a coat of oil.  Skip those steps and it will leave youw ith dark fingers

Iron acetate an tea tannin worked pretty well on this

poopot

The dyes etc never last… what you need is

WezV

ah yes, i forgot about that one.  Is it the same secret stuff that causes checking and makes things glow under UV light

poopot

WezV said:

ah yes, i forgot about that one.  Is it the same secret stuff that causes checking and makes things glow under UV light

It’s a solution for everything

WezV

poopot said:

WezV said:

ah yes, i forgot about that one.  Is it the same secret stuff that causes checking and makes things glow under UV light

It’s a solution for everything

sell it to the government as a cure for Covid!!

ThePrettyDamned

poopot said:

The dyes etc never last… what you need is

It's either a secret formula or fairy liquid. 

I'm saying fairy liquid - time for us to get dish soap on our most expensive guitars!!