I'm really hoping someone can help me with this! I have a Gibson Custom Shop '57 Les Paul Goldtop VOS which I would like to be "aged", with checking to the surface but without too much overall damage. There are some examples of the sort of effect I'm looking for here:
http://s145.photobucket.com/user/glt56/library/Reliced%20Les%20Paul%20examples
There aren't many luthiers willing, or indeed able, to take on a Les Paul project with this level of expertise and precision required, but I was wondering if anyone could suggest someone who might be up to it, I'm certainly open to suggestions? I believe Clive Brown (in Ripon) is one of the best but I can't find any contact details anywhere. If someone could pm me with them I'd be grateful... thanks in advance.
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it's basically a choice between forcing the cracks to appear with temperature changes, or faking them with a sharp blade.
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it's a choice between the temperature change which can be too random, or the blade which is an art form.
Tom Murphy uses a blade and if you see them in the early stages they look terrible. you would think the only solution was a refin... But a bit more work and it starts to come together.
I have practised both, and got pretty close....but liability becomes an issue on a valuable guitar. It's a fine line (literally) between success and failure
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Also, if you want the 'greening' which is the bronze flakes in the gold reacting with sweat and oxidising, you'd need the proper stuff. I'd personally speak to @Lamf37 who might be able to help.
I do have Clive Browns contact details if you need them, he does however, have a long waiting list.
(formerly miserneil)
There is another guy who will do you the most convincing, expert fooling refinish but mentioning his name around here is like summoning Voldemort...! ;-)
(formerly miserneil)
Cheers matey
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