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Best Les Paul to buy for Historic Makeovers Deluxe Makeover

TheSalmon

New member
Joined
Sep 1, 2020
Messages
5
Hello,

I’m trying to figure out which R9 I should be looking for with the Historic Makeovers deluxe refinishing treatment in mind. I am typically searching Custom Shop and filtering the price low to high. Should I be trying to get a True Historic? Best Custom Shop R9 year? Any suggestions? Thanks!
 

Morgan24

Active member
Joined
Nov 1, 2020
Messages
138
Do you want hide glued top? This is not vintage correct, but might sound better? Then you need 2013 or later< True Historic or 2017 or later< Custom Shop.
 

corpse

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Joined
Jun 9, 2007
Messages
4,876
What are your defining parameters- ending up with a monster top or price?
 

akstrat61

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Joined
Feb 16, 2004
Messages
1,845
Get a nice top, 2014 or later. I think Kim can shave the neck a bit if wanted, so either a R8 or R9.
 

Tim Plains

Active member
Joined
Aug 1, 2013
Messages
795
The only way I would do an HM is on a guitar I owned, loved, and wanted to improve or make my own. To buy a guitar, not play it, and spend another four figures on it seems nuts, but if that's what you're doing, buy the top and weight you like.
 

TheSalmon

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Joined
Sep 1, 2020
Messages
5
What are your defining parameters- ending up with a monster top or price?
I don’t really care about a “monster” top. Just looking for one that speaks to me. I really want the playability and feel. I love the work HM does and I figure I can get a guitar that is better than Murphy Lab for less money.

Thanks
 

corpse

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Jun 9, 2007
Messages
4,876
It's going to be close-ish. I have owned one and loved it, but life isn't forever and I parted with it. HM neck work is, to me, perfect. A "real" 59 neck is slightly smaller than how the CS profiles them- just a touch.
Their finish tends to bring the wood's natural features out- what the CS does mutes that- a plaintop from HM is still wonderful. The details they pull out are really something.
On post 2013 guitars they don't reset the neck as they have hide glue

2014 HM.jpg

Mine was plainish- but still some cool stuff going on- nice carve.
And it had a stinger. Get a stinger- they are cool.
 

TheSalmon

New member
Joined
Sep 1, 2020
Messages
5
It's going to be close-ish. I have owned one and loved it, but life isn't forever and I parted with it. HM neck work is, to me, perfect. A "real" 59 neck is slightly smaller than how the CS profiles them- just a touch.
Their finish tends to bring the wood's natural features out- what the CS does mutes that- a plaintop from HM is still wonderful. The details they pull out are really something.
On post 2013 guitars they don't reset the neck as they have hide glue

View attachment 16451

Mine was plainish- but still some cool stuff going on- nice carve.
And it had a stinger. Get a stinger- they are cool.
Corpse,

Thank you. I was considering the stinger already too! My father has one of the Skinner Burst R9s and I think I know exactly what you mean about the neck carve and the paint. I will keep you posted.
 

AA00475Bassman

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Joined
Apr 26, 2016
Messages
3,769
It's going to be close-ish. I have owned one and loved it, but life isn't forever and I parted with it. HM neck work is, to me, perfect. A "real" 59 neck is slightly smaller than how the CS profiles them- just a touch.
Their finish tends to bring the wood's natural features out- what the CS does mutes that- a plaintop from HM is still wonderful. The details they pull out are really something.
On post 2013 guitars they don't reset the neck as they have hide glue

View attachment 16451

Mine was plainish- but still some cool stuff going on- nice carve.
And it had a stinger. Get a stinger- they are cool.
If you feel the features of the grain - figure - characteristics of the wood top - back - sides are some ways , enhanced - pronounced , Tannic acid application.

Although this would be far more conservative then what we all know as Trace coat , Tannic acid . Im puzzled ?

One could burnish the wood for enhancements still puzzled?

Could it be my car is faster after I washed it syndrome?
 

El Gringo

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Apr 8, 2015
Messages
5,657
If you feel the features of the grain - figure - characteristics of the wood top - back - sides are some ways , enhanced - pronounced , Tannic acid application.

Although this would be far more conservative then what we all know as Trace coat , Tannic acid . Im puzzled ?

One could burnish the wood for enhancements still puzzled?

Could it be my car is faster after I washed it syndrome?
I have heard that some have used Naptha to make the figure in the wood "pop" more . I have also heard that substance is very nasty.
 

AA00475Bassman

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Apr 26, 2016
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Yes you will find several methods & I like the term pronounced enhancement , Tannic acid , with out effect of color of wood .

Although the Joe Perry bone run have a full on TRACE dye - Tannic acid type effect one would also suspect the grain was raised at some point of application.

Key : Pronounced Enhancement has nothing to do with the application of Viagra .
 

corpse

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Jun 9, 2007
Messages
4,876
No- his finishes let the wood come through. There is no treatment. I believe there is some opacity in the original factory finish. Take a look at some of his before and after pics. I am regurgitating what I have seen at his factory and from the photos.
 

AA00475Bassman

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Apr 26, 2016
Messages
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No- his finishes let the wood come through. There is no treatment. I believe there is some opacity in the original factory finish. Take a look at some of his before and after pics. I am regurgitating what I have seen at his factory and from the photos.
I have yet to see any of Kims work in hand 🖐 I regard you as knowledgeable , I never say never I sincerely agree with your explanation!
 

El Gringo

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Apr 8, 2015
Messages
5,657
Yes you will find several methods & I like the term pronounced enhancement , Tannic acid , with out effect of color of wood .

Although the Joe Perry bone run have a full on TRACE dye - Tannic acid type effect one would also suspect the grain was raised at some point of application.

Key : Pronounced Enhancement has nothing to do with the application of Viagra .
I always wondered about the Joe Perry Boneyard run and wondered about how the finish was done and now I know how (trickery of the wood , which is all good as it's about the finished product ) Love your sense of humor as this reminds me of an old Curb Your Enthusiasm episode where Larry was juicing and got caught and it was hilarious . Back on point I always wanted the Joe Perry Boneyard Les Paul , except I didn't care for the headstock inlay and the engraved truss rod cover which is easy enough to get rid of. The finish was an eye catcher and a head turner for me for sure !
 

corpse

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Jun 9, 2007
Messages
4,876
I have been shocked after HM gets done what lurked under the factory finish- and they do something to the lacquer to make it yellow.
 

DANELECTRO

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Feb 24, 2003
Messages
6,318
As far as which guitar to chose, first and foremost it should be one that already sounds good,. Secondly I would go for figuring that looks like something typical of the original bursts. Avoid quilts, BBQ tops, etc. You're going to have a couple of bucks in the project, so it might as well be a looker.
 

corpse

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Jun 9, 2007
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I looked at prices today and yes- a couple of shekels.
 

DvnLesPaul

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Sep 17, 2002
Messages
816
It's certainly all personal preference for what you're after. If it was me, I would look for a used non-aged model with some play wear that I loved the look of and could be had at a discount, knowing I'm paying to refinish it anyway. I've been appalled to read about guys sending a '15 TH in for the treatment. They have a huge upcharge (mostly) specific to the finish you're going to be throwing away. But, there are those where price is no consideration and they want that specific model tweaked to perfection. To each his own.
 
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