I have a US Performer which as a fairly new model has a pale maple headstock and back of neck (fretboard is rosewood). I much prefer a more 'vintage' look/colour and while I'm not going to attempt any sort of relic job it would be good to darken it.
It has (had) a satin finish which I've taken off somewhat with scotchbrite and also tried the popular internet trick of Kiwi brown shoe polish. It has helped a little, but even after several coats its not where I want to be.
So I am thinking of re sanding/scotchbriting and then staining with an amber tint like this:
https://www.crimsonguitars.com/collections/guitar-finishing/products/stunning-stains?variant=32379027488903..and then finishing with an oil from the same place or maybe Monty's finishing wax or something similar.
So first question, does the above plan sound sensible?
Now the tricky bit, the headstock. I really can't be arsed to sand off all the decals, and reapply, I want to leave them in place. I understand Fender applies a thin player of lacquer over the decals so what are my chances of sanding gently over the lettering, more firmly elsewhere, to enable me to apply the stain to the headstock and get a reasonable result?
Comments
Alternatively, allow a chain smoking friend to smear tarry fingers along the neck.
"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
My own opinion is - leave it alone.
• Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Goldeneraguitars
1) WW2 gravy browning pretend stockings.
2) the curious shade of burnt umbrage associated with Andrew Neil and Donald Trump.
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To whoever LOL'd my earlier post about cigarette tar for vintage tinting, I say try it. It works a treat on American plastic pickup covers, giving an aged appearance that minty green plastic can not match.