R6 Jaeger Make Over

[gitmohair]

Funny how we so wholeheartedly support going on for pages and pages about finish additives or bridges (don't even THINK about pickups!), but the person who says, "Just buy yourself a good guitar and PLAY it, fer cryin' out loud!") has no voice.
The emperor has no clothes!

Yeah, I'm with you here. There's been a lot of really good information in this thread and it's been a good read but the fundamental questions do remain unanswered...

 

[gitmohair]

many (most?) people on guitar BBs approach guitars more like stamp collectors than musicians

Seldom a truer word said, sadly.

 

[NINFNM]

Now that you mention, I would like to ask the OP why he has decided to give this guitar such an expensive opportunity. I don't think it's for sentimental value since it's quite new, what makes it then so special for you? It's true that it's a pretty light specimen, but that's one of the factors that most probably influences it to have several dead spots.

 

[Steve Craw]

I've been down this same road myself, and had my own reasons for sending a brand new guitar out for a makeover. In my case, the work took nine months to complete. I bought the guitar in 2009 and still have it to this day, and it'll be with me until I die, then my daughter will have it. Anyway, whatever his reasons are, my guess is it'll be worth it to him.

 

[charliechitlins]

I've been down this same road myself, and had my own reasons for sending a brand new guitar out for a makeover. In my case, the work took nine months to complete. I bought the guitar in 2009 and still have it to this day, and it'll be with me until I die, then my daughter will have it. Anyway, whatever his reasons are, my guess is it'll be worth it to him.
View attachment 25623

Wait...let me guess...
You bought a righty guitar and paid a fortune to make it a lefty!
Har!

 

[charliechitlins]

Seldom a truer word said, sadly.

It's actually not that sad.
It's just how people choose to spend their time and money and have a hobby.
At least they have a GUITAR to play and enjoy.
It's not like coins, butterflies on a pin or stupid wrist watches.

 

[clapciadrix]

Funny how we so wholeheartedly support going on for pages and pages about finish additives or bridges (don't even THINK about pickups!), but the person who says, "Just buy yourself a good guitar and PLAY it, fer cryin' out loud!") has no voice.
The emperor has no clothes!
I got booted off the other Lester board by saying that a tech's customer who wanted to save his vintage frets after a refret "jyst might be a doofus."
Ive actually made peace with the idea that many (most?) people on guitar BBs approach guitars more like stamp collectors than musicians.
It's fine.
This is how some approach guitar ownership.
But I do find it odd how deadly solemn it can be.
I have an area or 2 of serious weenie-dom and feel it's important to be self aware and have a sense of humor about myself because I know my little nerderies are about the least important things on earth.

I believe that you can start a thread of your own if you want to share your opinions on make overs.
Here’s a guy who is kind enough to share his experience as he gets his Les Paul made over. He isn’t telling everyone that it’s the thing to do with every guitar.
He’s just sharing the process.
So out of nowhere, you come in with how the whole process is some sort of gimmick. That you know what is correct and this poor guy is just another sucker.
He’s been sharing the whole process and fielding questions and comments regarding the work being done. Seems generous to me.
Why don’t you share with all of us the absolutely perfect guitars you own and I’ll tell you if you’re right.
You got kicked off another forum for being rude and out of line, yet you continue here.
If all you can add to a thread is negativity, stay out of it.

 

[Revolver1]

Boy's, boy's, boy's!!!! The last thing I want is for this to degenerate into some kind of shit fight. I've refrained but it's starting to piss me off just a little. Thats not why I came here to share my experience with you all.

I welcome everyone's point of view and opinion without exclusion. But the recent questions raised have all been addressed at least a couple of times so I suggest you go back, read it properly and understand English..... it's all there. Any questions, just ask I'm happy to oblige.

If you've not enjoyed the inbetween discussions then feel free to stop reading at any point.

If theres some kind of " elephant in the room " well then grow a pair and ask the question. I'm just sharing my experience, thers no hidden agenda here. But from what I see it's all been said before. If theres something that's not clear then just ask, I'm not selling anything here.

And yeah, it might not work out. It may still have dead spots or they may have shifted. Do you not think I stress out about that every waking moment of the day???? It might still be a boat anchor but it'll be the prettiest damn boat anchor in the world. ???? but I'm quietly confident the issue has been rectified. At the same time I'll have no problem sharing with you all if it's not.

Every guitar has dead spots and wolf notes, every one of my 8 custom shops have 'em to some degree t's just that this one was unplayable. My situation here is quite rare so don't freak out. Don't want to open a can of worms for you all there, it's a fact your better off not being aware of.

I'm not having a go at anyone here, I've appreciated all the support but I also welcome any and all opinions so let's keep it cool. Any questions just ask, I've got nothing to hide.....

 

[Revolver1]

Hey clapciadrix, thanks for the support. We were writing at the same time there! Hahaha....

Charlie, I welcome your contribution but I'm just not really sure what you're getting at here. Like I said go back, read, understand and if you still have any questions I'm here. Nothing to hide.....

Edit: Hey I get it, and no one has to agree with everything or anything I say but let's keep it cool, we're all here for the love of Les Paul's, right?

 

[Subliminal lanimilbuS]

Seldom a truer word said, sadly.

Not so sure about that. I have definitely met more musicians that collect guitars than not. The ones that have made a living at it usually have the biggest collections of all. Most musicians I know have never stopped looking for better feel and sound. It is fun trying out different guitars and knowledge, like you can find in forums like this, can help you with your choices. You can play your favorite song on your stereo over and over, but sometimes you just have to listen to something new to make life interesting.

 

[ourmaninthenorth]

I'm thoroughly enjoying this thread, certainly one of the most interesting of it's type in recent years on this forum.

What a fool I've been.

I'm off to ebay to find the emporia that specialises in long grey beards, so I can join in with those here that obviously have all the secrets, and can get some tips on stroking said beard.

Alternatively a balloon shop, so some of the recent inanity here can keep company with the sound of said balloons going down.

 

[Revolver1]

?????

 

[Revolver1]

Now that you mention, I would like to ask the OP why he has decided to give this guitar such an expensive opportunity. I don't think it's for sentimental value since it's quite new, what makes it then so special for you? It's true that it's a pretty light specimen, but that's one of the factors that most probably influences it to have several dead spots.

I have said this all before, but to summarise;

A, its lighter than anything I've recently seen here in the UK.
B, it has straight grain on the back, not twisted or figured as many examples coming into the UK have been in recent years.
C, other than the dead spots it's a great sounding guitar to me, great clarity and definition. It stands out to my ears. I have read this is quite common with guitars that have noticeable dead spots.
D, love the neck on it, it's a comfortable hand full depth wise but doesn't feel wide.
E, it kills me to have it sitting there gathering dust because I pass over it and choose to play any one of my other stellar guitars.
F, no way I'd be an a$$ hole and try to palm it off on someone else. It would be a pointless exercise any way because after spending any amount of time with it a potential buyer would want to return it.
G, I love it, I have an illogical attachment to it that can't be put into words that then created this love hate thing. I'm attempting to remove the hate.

 

[renderit]

I would love to get this done on one of mine.

I just can't decide which one I am willing to let go long enough for it to happen...

Dude is definitely a MASTER.

 

[Revolver1]

Years ago my brother had a couple done by Kim and I used to look at them and wish I could do that but there was just no way I could afford or justify it back then.

When I first met with Florian I had it in my mind that I wasn't going to go with all the extras, I was just going to focus on the structural work. But as soon as I saw the other two guitars he had done I was all in.

I see it as the chance to finally treat my self to a guitar like the ones my brother had and I admired so much.

I think its looking great and will be a pretty cool addition to my collection. On top of that I'm completely over the moon it's been re-finished as a dark back. ???

 

[garywright]

I would love to get this done on one of mine.

I just can't decide which one I am willing to let go long enough for it to happen...

Dude is definitely a MASTER.

you should mix it up ..send your 60s junior and have him make it look like a recent custom shop

 

[gitmohair]

If theres some kind of " elephant in the room " well then grow a pair and ask the question.

I didn't want to ask the question as I didn't want to mess up your thread, which has been a fascinating read, and was going to reserve any sort of comment until after your review of the finished article. My comment was purely in defence of another member's post (which did ask questions) which had been in my view somewhat harshly received (and not by you). So I still won't ask the question since once we've got to your review I may no longer have anything to ask.

Please accept that some people don't think your way. This is a public forum and such would be pointless if they didn't allow differing opinions on things. YMMV. I'll get my coat, I didn't intend any offence, good luck with the guitar.

 

[charliechitlins]

I believe that you can start a thread of your own if you want to share your opinions on make overs.
Here’s a guy who is kind enough to share his experience as he gets his Les Paul made over. He isn’t telling everyone that it’s the thing to do with every guitar.
He’s just sharing the process.
So out of nowhere, you come in with how the whole process is some sort of gimmick. That you know what is correct and this poor guy is just another sucker.
He’s been sharing the whole process and fielding questions and comments regarding the work being done. Seems generous to me.
Why don’t you share with all of us the absolutely perfect guitars you own and I’ll tell you if you’re right.
You got kicked off another forum for being rude and out of line, yet you continue here.
If all you can add to a thread is negativity, stay out of it.

Interesting.
So, if I'd have posted, "This is awesome. Not only do I agree with everything you're doing, but I took the same route with MY favorite guitar!" would you have commented, Nobody cares about ypur opinion or your guitar, this thread isnt about you"?
I dont mean to derail the thread or undermine the information, but I'm pretty sure this is a "discussion".
Revolver seems like a pretty open-munded guy and if I said, "You're barking mad, mate!" I think he would just laugh it off...and maybe even agree!

 

[Revolver1]

Hey gitmo, no sweat. I completely agree with all you say. And hey when the times right ask that question, I'll be completely honest with you no matter how challenging it may be. You will ruine nothing. It's all just good discussion and all points of view count.

And Charlie, also not a problem, I welcome your point of view. I really didn't want to get involved when this all started but clap makes some valid points as well. I'm just sharing an experience in real time nothing more, nothing less.

I agree for the most part with what your getting at but the points you've made have already been discussed in great detail. I had thought long and hard about just buying another guitar and I actually had my Wife's support if that's what I wanted to do. Which when it comes to purchasing guitars is pretty rare.... ??????

I have no intention on insisting everyone agree with my point of view, it's just my view which is quite honestly worth F.A . And I'm certainly not going to just be happy with the people that agree with my point of view and dismissive of those who don't.
That's not what I'm about.

I just don't want this deteriorating into a petty squabble because it's been awesome so far. I think it's going to be great when we get to the final review and maybe these questions can be asked and we can resolve some of these points I'm quite probably oblivious to.

Every one is welcome, it's all cool with me and Les Paul's Rock!

 

[Subliminal lanimilbuS]

I don't think lightness has any factor at all into a guitar having dead spots. Some of my most solid guitars are my lightest. I think it pertains more to how solidly, well glued and well fretted a guitar is. Things like thick glue, soft glue and glue gaps. The section that overhangs the body on a Les Paul can be the worst. If you remove the finish around the fretboard there you can quite often slide a thin piece of plastic underneath the corners and edges for quite some distance. More importantly, though, would be the frets. A properly seated and snug fret is one of the most important features of a properly built guitar. Fretting should almost be considered a science. Frets not fitting snug enough they become unseated. Frets fitting too tight they push out and become unseated.