Before anyone says it... we’ve all heard the comments. Some of you don’t like this sort of thing. I get it, we get it. But interestingly enough, it’s the folk who don’t like aged guitar finishes that I’m looking to for a constructive critique. I was recently given this Les Paul to work on which already had plenty of dings and buckle rash. But it looked pretty fresh and had none of the detail you see here.
Feedback is always useful with this sort of thing. I’m genuinely asking for opinions (without the usual bumf that gets thrown at this sort of work please).
Does this tick the appropriate boxes for any of you if you were in the market for an aged Les Paul? Does it look on the “right” side of aged?
https://i.imgur.com/9hElqK5.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/4GolONJ.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/4ppVK4I.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/RyiWm83.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/etqvynB.jpg
Comments
• Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Goldeneraguitars
Yes, I think that looks pretty good - because it's escaped the overdone fake damage which never looks right. It needs to lose the pickguard - not only because I detest them anyway, but because it looks too new in relation to the rest of it - and the 'Standard' lettering on the truss rod cover as danishbacon said. If you did that it would actually look quite like a genuine old guitar to someone not familiar with the details of Gibson hardware changes.
"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
Ill suggest the changes to him and I’m sure he’ll agree to get some different parts bought.
Its worth noting that any large dings were already on the finish.
• Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Goldeneraguitars
It looks pretty good in my opinion, better than the genuine wear on mine tbh!
Look at Fake 58, Crazy parts and similar outlets for 'aged' replica parts if required - type into google 'vintage aged les paul parts' and you'll find a host of options
• Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Goldeneraguitars
I'll post up pics when they're done, I'll probably do a side by side with a 58 to compare and show they're not all heavily worn
If your customers happy that's all that matters
If you age something though you've got to do the fretboard or it looks wrong to me
Subtle is always best imo
(formerly customkits)
Darren, you often mention about ageing the Fretboard, which I would agree with to an extent but what is your take/process? Are you just darkening them or are you sanding wear/divots into them too?
I always air in the side of subtlety like Scott has here which looks far more ‘real’ IMO. It helps that I have some originals to hand to work from.
On the 50’s Gibson’s I own, the boards are beautifully smooth, almost waxy and have that lovely dark chocolate appearance which I attempt to replicated on my guitars.
(formerly miserneil)
I've also got that 58 board as a reference
(formerly customkits)
Ive been considering getting an aged ‘62 Strat pickguard for a while, to go on my avri - Crazy Parts do a brilliant one but @150 Euro I’m holding out
As a pretty object, it looks perfectly natural to me and nothing I can see of the aging looks fake or out of place.
The ultimate acid test.... I’d certainly like to own it.
I love the colour
@fendergibson haha funnily enough I like pickguards in Les Pauls but I can see why others might not.
• Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Goldeneraguitars
Thanks still learning to use the thing! More lenses require me thinks
• Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Goldeneraguitars
• Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Goldeneraguitars