How should I finish my 1968?

[moonweasel]

Looks like a center seam. Burst it.

68-mid 69 is guaranteed center seam, FYI.

 

[stock_hippie]

oh, ..this is a question Ill never have to ask myself...

 

[JBLPplayer]

I honestly would just leave it. It looks great and probably sounds aweome!
My two cents.
Joe B

 

[JJ Blair]

It looks great as is. Leave it.

I think I see a BCR Greg-ish spline repair on the headstock.

 

[moonweasel]

It looks great as is. Leave it.

I think I see a BCR Greg-ish spline repair on the headstock.

I noticed that too.

 

[Brad737]

Yes, Greg is the one who did the headstock repair. I appreciate the input, gents. I think I'll follow Moonweasel's advice. If the back is the original finish, I'll get a Goldtop. If the back is refinished, I'll get a Burst. (I don't know if Greg shot just the neck, or everything when he fixed the neck.).

I knew as soon as I saw the ad online that she was too beat to ever be worth much. But she shipped from Gibson exactly 7 days after I was born. I've wanted a 68 Les Paul since high school, so as silly as this may sound, I already feel a connection to this particular guitar, even though I haven't played it yet. Yeah, I know that sounds ridiculous.

As far as the back finish, does that seem like the correct color to you? It looks a little light to me. Since the collectibility of this 68 is so greatly diminished, I didn't really want to tackle the expense of a full re-fin. I figured getting the top re-shot would be enough of "throwing good money after bad". Well, not all bad.

Have I mentioned how badly I wanna play this?

 

[Ad_02Std]

That guitar looks perfect to me as is. Just play it.

 

[moonweasel]

haha, hard to wait to play it eh?

Tough to go by pics, so I would wait and see about the back finish.

If Greg did the headstock, you can count that it is really good work.

Also, wait til you get it in your hands before you plot TOO much. I hope you love it, but there is a chance you won't bond etc.

Wish you the best! I would love to find one like that.

 

[Brad737]

Holy crap, that looks amazing!

 

[Tomcat]

It once was a Goldtop and it should be a Goldtop again. If not, leave it, as it is.

 

[dwagar]

Finding a guitar that was born almost exactly the same day as you is amazing.

If Greg fixed it, it's probably better than new.

 

[Brad737]

Yeah, I think so too. And I know I'm biased, but I think she looks amazing. IMHO, guitars with that honest wear almost always sound and feel awesome.

Finding a guitar that was born almost exactly the same day as you is amazing.

If Greg fixed it, it's probably better than new.

 

[LesPauloholic]

That looks like Tom Scholz's guitar except his still has a P90 in the neck position... I'd leave it. It looks great the way it is.

 

[PLarson]

I'd leave it as it is. Looks great, and probably plays great!

 

[Tom Wittrock]

If you are keeping it, do it however you want.

 

[garywright]

I'd leave it as it is. Looks great, and probably plays great!

+1 ...I'd try to darken up the wheat colored board some ...but other than that I think it looks fine :salude

 

[JJ Blair]

RS did a killer top refin on my '69

Nice! Who is RS?

Greg's the only guy I see doing those splines. I'm not sure I get it. I've had headstock breaks repaired without splines that have held almost 20 years, no problem. I know he's great at fixing guitars, but I wonder if he does straight breaks glues without splines, or that's just his M.O.

 

[J.D.]

I'd have Kim (Historic Makeovers) do a correct goldtop / darkback on that one :jim

 

[moonweasel]

Nice! Who is RS?

Greg's the only guy I see doing those splines. I'm not sure I get it. I've had headstock breaks repaired without splines that have held almost 20 years, no problem. I know he's great at fixing guitars, but I wonder if he does straight breaks glues without splines, or that's just his M.O.

He only does it on severe breaks.

 

[moonweasel]

I'd have Kim (Historic Makeovers) do a correct goldtop / darkback on that one :jim

:2zone , but my inner nerd feels obligated to point out that I am not entirely sure they did factory dark backs in 68. Sorry, can't help it.