Vintage LP - Finish and Help

[commachio]

First....apoligies as this refers to a 1970 LP Standard. Original pots dated 1969 but rest of the guitar seems to be 70's- so hoping this questions is in the correct place.

The guitar I have has been abused over the years. The checking on the guitar and most of the 'battle scars' I can live with - to me thats the character of the guitar.

However there are a few places of 'concern' that ideally I'd like remediated. My intention is to take it top a local luthier and have the headstock 'chip' replaced and the damage to the mahogony on the sides of the guitar filled and a new nitro-finish added. BUT, and critical to all of this, I do not want the character of the guitar removed.

This adds a final dimension - its it possible to polish the body's nitro without removing all the checking.

OR should I leave it alone as it is (not my preference) or have it sanded and renewed.

Please can I have some constructive comments on:

1. Is it worth, for historical significance, to try and bring it back to former glory
2. Can a dulled nitro finish from late 60s/.early 70s be polished without loosing the character

Many thanks

 

[jb_abides]

1. I don't think so; it's in its 'Old Glory', and should be kept with honest wear and battle scars intact at this point. Of course, keep it well maintained and playable.

2. A good wipe down with naphtha to get rid any unwelcome grime and particulates, if any, wouldn't hut. Also, Virtuoso Cleaner is a good step to clean without bringing things back to full gloss, and judicious use of Virtuoso Polish would be good on the lacquer. Some moderate polishing action will revitalize without the extremely mirror-like gloss. Unless you want that, but too much shine on well beaten guitar looks at bit irregular to me.

... would love to see more photos including full body shots!

 

[S. Weiger]

1. I don't think so; it's in its 'Old Glory', and should be kept with honest wear and battle scars intact at this point. Of course, keep it well maintained and playable.

2. A good wipe down with naphtha to get rid any unwelcome grime and particulates, if any, wouldn't hut. Also, Virtuoso Cleaner is a good step to clean without bringing things back to full gloss, and judicious use of Virtuoso Polish would be good on the lacquer. Some moderate polishing action will revitalize without the extremely mirror-like gloss. Unless you want that, but too much shine on well beaten guitar looks at bit irregular to me.

... would love to see more photos including full body shots!

+1000. Best advice ^^
And yes, let's see some pics of the lester

 

[fernieite]

1. I don't think so; it's in its 'Old Glory', and should be kept with honest wear and battle scars intact at this point. Of course, keep it well maintained and playable.

2. A good wipe down with naphtha to get rid any unwelcome grime and particulates, if any, wouldn't hut. Also, Virtuoso Cleaner is a good step to clean without bringing things back to full gloss, and judicious use of Virtuoso Polish would be good on the lacquer. Some moderate polishing action will revitalize without the extremely mirror-like gloss. Unless you want that, but too much shine on well beaten guitar looks at bit irregular to me.

... would love to see more photos including full body shots!

I agree with everything JB said...

Except, I'd skip the polish step. Naptha and/ or Virtuoso cleaner would get it good enough for me. I don't like to get things too shiny. (I might even just use naptha)

Can we see some more photos of that LP? It looks awesome.

 

[commachio]

Some quick ones….

 

[Norton]

Looks great as it is. I wouldn't mess with it, including the chip in the headstock.

 

[Cody]

I wouldn’t touch a thing.

 

[commachio]

Many thanks everyone…..so how does someone in the uk get Virtuoso products without paying Amazon circa £123?

 

[jb_abides]

Many thanks everyone…..so how does someone in the uk get Virtuoso products without paying Amazon circa £123?

United Kingdom

The Guitar Repair Workshop Ltd.
Located in Professional Music Technology
Red Rose Retail Park
Regent Road
Salford, Manchester M5 3GR
0161-877-4962
www.theguitarrepairworkshop.com​

Also Finland, Switzerland dealers:

Authorized Dealers - The Virtuoso Group, Inc.

Authorized Dealers We thank you for visiting our Authorized dealer page and encourage you to visit any of our Authorized

virtuosopolish.com

 

[commachio]

Many thanks…..Guitar Workshop only has secret sauce as far as I can see

 

[metropolis]

People would pay for that sort of wear, as long as nothing is structural you're best leaving it as it is. At current UK prices that'll fetch a princely sum if you want to trade it in for something different I'm sure.

Can't help on polishes I'm afraid as I've never actually polished any of my guitars. A lot of people I know (including some well regarded techs) use auto-products like Meguiars.

 

[commachio]

Okay.....thanks everyone for your comments. Absolutely nothing wrong with the guitar structurally and is a tone monster (biased but assume everyone says that about their guitars!!!). No idea on value which is something I think I need to consider for insurance. But currently a keeper!!!!

Looking into all sorts of polishes now. I'm not after a super gloss finish as think it will detract from its age but I'd like to try an pull away from some of the 'dullness' in certain areas.

 

[charliechitlins]

For bringing up a shine, automotive products are best.
Look for a "system" and use the last step.
Swirl remover or hand glaze or something like that.
This will give very fine abrasive and not leave scratches/swirls.
Anything Maguiars, Mother's or 3M can be trusted to do the do.