Hi all,
Been chewing over the idea of refinishing my 81 Les Paul Standard (currently brown/wine red)
I've had the guitar since I was 16 and it fits like an old pair of shoes. It's a YOB guitar with plenty of sentimental attachment so I don't think I'll ever sell it. It's also been modded before I got it - pick ups switched and plenty of real ware.
The issue is I've got a real hankering for an R7 Goldtop or a black or cherry r8.
Can't really justify having 2 Les Paul's so thought about refinishing my 81 to either a Goldtop or even a Blacktop.
Anyone done this?
Just wondering if it's worth the hassle and I should I just man up and own 2 Les Paul's?
Cheers
Comments
I remember reading about Bill Nelson having his famous 345 refinished - claiming it was never the same after the work had been done. In fact it precipitated him moving over to Yamaha SGs for a while.
Personally, I wouldn't do it.
I'm pretty sure they could replicate the current wear/condition if you wanted them to.
If you got a refin it would only be the top of the guitar so it would still feel the same guitar afterwards.
Wine red is my least favourite colour on a LP - so my advice is...
Go for it!
Last time I looked a used R7/R8 was ~ £2k. A top refinish won't cost anything like that and OP doesn't want to sell the 81 (which is already modified) so I don't think resale enters the equation.
Also the 81 fits like a pair of old shoes - the Rx might not - so there's an investment of time there to find the right one.
Why do you need to do either? You've got a great Les Paul that you love, so firstly don't potentially ruin it - it will never be the same after a refinish, as richardhomer said - and secondly why do you need another one? (Unless you're gigging and need a backup.)
Take a deep breath and keep your old Les Paul the way it is. The grass elsewhere is not really greener...
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Reckon I'm going to hold off on the refinish for now. Then try out some R7/8's out and see if I can't live without one, as thus far my obsession is based purely on how pretty they look!
I'd far rather it looks like a genuine example of what it is, than 'a not quite right' R7....
You can always do both if you hate the finish on your current guitar. imo only sell when you need to with older guitars you've had for a long time, there is a fair chance you'll wish you had kept it at some point in the future.