Refinishing my H550

[unikh550]

There's nothing wrong with the antique cherry sunburst finish on my '98 H-550, but I want to make the change anyway instead of buying a new one. Talked to Jack at Heritage, who told me that he thinks that the TV Gold would cover up the curly maple, which is in abundance. He said that they put that on a model that does not have much figure. My goal is to have a guitar that looks like Tal Farlow's prototype, which was stolen from him awhile back. On the "Legendary Guitar of Tal Farlow" video, his amber yellow guitar (more yellow than amber, almost like a little green with the yellow) shows the lines of the curly maple, but does not show it all the way down, which my 550 does, which is okay. As an alternative, I thought of just having Heritage put on the lightest yellow burst all over, with no other color, but burst fades more over time than the base colors. Does anyone out there have that TV model that has the gold, which looks on the company website more like yellow? The amberburst, which Jack recommended, is too dark for what I want, although it's gorgeous. If nothing else, I was thinking of showing Jack color photocopies of old D'Angelicos, which show mostly yellow burst, with reddish-brown to go basically around the last 1" or so all around the top and back, if we can't work out a yellow alternative. They're also going to put on a curly maple headstock overlay and check the Charlie Christian pickup while it's out. Couldn't believe how reasonable the price estimate was, too. They did not have all of these color choices when I custom ordered the guitar. Thought that the red would be darker; instead, it's like a Gibson Barney Kessel's finish, which isn't bad, I guess.- Charles Bevell

[Gitfiddler]

Refinishing is something I would never consider on an undamaged guitar. But you seem to have made up your mind to go with it. From your description it sounds like you are looking for something like Vintage Burst. Try to find a picture of a guitar with the color and shading you want and get it to the boys. I bet they come pretty close. Good luck.

[unikh550]

Refinishing is something I would never consider on an undamaged guitar. But you seem to have made up your mind to go with it. From your description it sounds like you are looking for something like Vintage Burst. Try to find a picture of a guitar with the color and shading you want and get it to the boys. I bet they come pretty close. Good luck.

Vintage Burst is a nice color, but I want the burst to be the focal point. Wonder if anyone has a photo of a sunset burst archtop that they can post? Have an old brochure that shows it, but it's not on the website, and I've never seen one in a shop. Would want the yellow burst to go past the f-holes, up to about 1" from the top and 1" all around, then a reddish fade into a reddish-brown-maybe the edges being like almond sunburst?The first thing people say when they look at my guitar is its sriking appearance, but I'm tiring of the bright red of the cherry, and the burst has faded a lot into the cherry in 12 years. - Charles

[tbonesullivan]

I'd say it's not worth the cost. You have a great looking guitar with a nice aged-in finish. Refinishing is not without risks, and I don't see why you'd even want to. The only time I'd consider refinishing a guitar was if the finish had been damaged, or it had previously been refinished ugly.

[unikh550]

I'd say it's not worth the cost. You have a great looking guitar with a nice aged-in finish. Refinishing is not without risks, and I don't see why you'd even want to. The only time I'd consider refinishing a guitar was if the finish had been damaged, or it had previously been refinished ugly.

Jack said that the refinish would be between $500 and $600, which is reasonable. He's an old-timer from the Gibson days who has experience refinishing and with Charlie Christians.

[Patrick]

Vintage Burst is a nice color, but I want the burst to be the focal point. Wonder if anyone has a photo of a sunset burst archtop that they can post? Have an old brochure that shows it, but it's not on the website, and I've never seen one in a shop. Would want the yellow burst to go past the f-holes, up to about 1" from the top and 1" all around, then a reddish fade into a reddish-brown-maybe the edges being like almond sunburst?The first thing people say when they look at my guitar is its sriking appearance, but I'm tiring of the bright red of the cherry, and the burst has faded a lot into the cherry in 12 years. - Charles

 

If you look in the forum "Heritage Guitars" . . scroll back a few days to "Patrick's Masterpiece" That's my new Golden Eagle with a "subtle" sunset burst . . exactly as I asked for it to be. However, scroll back a few days beyond that and you'll see a thread titled "wake up call" or something likethat. It's a picture of a fully unrestricted sunset burst on an H525. Also, mine was done on a spruce top Golden Eagle.... definitely different results than you'll get on your maple top H550.

 

Coincidently, mine was done based upon a Tal Farlow reissue photograph.

 

You should carefully heed all of the advice you've gotten here about reconsidering the refin. I think once you hear the cost, you'll change your mind anyway.

[unikh550]

If you look in the forum "Heritage Guitars" . . scroll back a few days to "Patrick's Masterpiece" That's my new Golden Eagle with a "subtle" sunset burst . . exactly as I asked for it to be. However, scroll back a few days beyond that and you'll see a thread titled "wake up call" or something likethat. It's a picture of a fully unrestricted sunset burst on an H525. Also, mine was done on a spruce top Golden Eagle.... definitely different results than you'll get on your maple top H550.

 

Coincidently, mine was done based upon a Tal Farlow reissue photograph.

 

You should carefully heed all of the advice you've gotten here about reconsidering the refin. I think once you hear the cost, you'll change your mind anyway.

No, Patrick, the cost is as much as $600, which is far less than I imagined. For that, I don't know if they'll take it down to the wood or whatever (doubt it), but I don't think that is necessary. As for the pics, thanks. Your Golden Eagle is beautiful- very antiquey- but the 525 sunsetburst is closer. Would want a much lighter brown 1" from the edges all around, and a wider area of that yellow burst on the SSB, with only a slight bid of red between the burst and the brown edges. That's if they can't make a more yellow finish exclusively, like that on Tal's one-of-a-kind that never made it to the public. Have since this post seen the Gold on other posts on HOF, and that would not be okay after all. Antique Natural isn't quite there either. On the video, it looks about as yellow as a VW Bug, but not quite. Was disappointed that the cherry wasn't darker, like on some older Gibson's (Faded Cherry?), but the red has not faded after 12 years, unlike the burst.It's still bright red! I'd be content if they just sprayed nothing but the yellow burst all over for one color, but don't know if it's as durable as the "base" colors.-Charles

[FredZepp]

Interesting... you are right, the pricing seems very good.

It seems like you need to get them some photos and talk to them about your personal preference if you'd like it slightly darker / lighter / more yellow/ or brown. If you are going to do it..do it right with lots of detailed communication.

 

And... if you do this, we'd love some before/ after pics. It really could be a cool project to see them undertake. You should document the change.

 

( got a pic to share? )

[Patrick]

I would take the $600 that the refin would cost.. .add it to how ever much I could sell the current H550 for, then order a brand new one, with the color I wanted as well as any other personal touches I wanted. Also, are they going to strip the whole guitar down for the refin? Back of neck, rims, back and top? Or, just the top?

[Guest mgoetting]

 

Patrick, is the subtle burst you were refering to?

[Patrick]

 

Patrick, is the subtle burst you were refering to?

 

Mark: You knew quite well that this post would solicit a very controversial response from me. So, I will just leave it at this . .... what were they thinking???????

[Guest mgoetting]

Patrick, I never knew you to be too shy or bound by political correctness.

 

But let me go out on that limb.

 

I agree with Patrick on his two points. First, traditional tones are elegant. Subtle bursts are even more so. Second, don't put $600 into a perfectly good guitar just to change its colors. Sell it and buy a beat up 550 and refinish that. Or sell it and get exactly what you want all around on the 550.

 

Where I may disagree with Patrick is that I enjoy some of the offbeat finishes. I posted the blueburst as an example. What I mean is I enjoy dating that kind of guitar but would not bring it home to meet my parents.

[Patrick]

Go on to Garysclassicguitars.com scroll to the 1966 Viceroy Brown Tal Farlow. I think that's what you're looking for

[Kuz]

Hey, it's your guitar and only YOU will be happy with a guitar YOU like.

 

I say go for it, and then YOU will be happy.

 

It really doesn't matter what anybody but YOU think.

 

Good input from others here, but it is your guitar.

[Patrick]

Patrick, I never knew you to be too shy or bound by political correctness.

 

But let me go out on that limb.

 

I agree with Patrick on his two points. First, traditional tones are elegant. Subtle bursts are even more so. Second, don't put $600 into a perfectly good guitar just to change its colors. Sell it and buy a beat up 550 and refinish that. Or sell it and get exactly what you want all around on the 550.

 

Where I may disagree with Patrick is that I enjoy some of the offbeat finishes. I posted the blueburst as an example. What I mean is I enjoy dating that kind of guitar but would not bring it home to meet my parents.

 

 

Bad enough that they would offend such a beautiful guitar with that color. But, to miss the entire center of the guitar top with the spray gun??? Kidding aside . . . I'm sure that guitar is going to please someone. But . . . I don't know man . . . maybe I'm just too much of a boring collector. Scott Chinery had 26 blue guitars custom made for him ... and he was the greatest guitar collector of all time. So, I hope that puts it in proper perspective.

[212Mavguy]

...they say that true love is blind...

[unikh550]

Love Viceroy, but it's not that much different than the Antique Cherry that I have. The Sunsetburst is exactly it, only I would want probably almond (not dark almond) for the part of the SSB that is dark brown, with a larger area for the burst itself. No, I'm not buying another. I had this one made in 1998 with no fretboard inlays, pickguard, vol/tone controls, or pickup for $1,500 even,including the case, with no tax since it was an out of state dealer. I had a friend put on a CC pickup from a '79 Gibson ES-175CC that I purchased from Island Guitars in Hawaii. I had a friend put it in; now they have repro CC's from Lollar and Seymour, but they didn't then. It's topped off with Barney Kessel bowties that I bought from Gibson, and Ibanez amber and brown knobs from the '70's. So, it's a one-of-a-kind that I wouldn't sell, and no one would give me more than $1,200 or so for it anyway, due to the mods.Plus, H-550's are retailing for over $4,200, so that's like mid-2K's after the discount.Plus, it has the perfect, biting tone that Barney's had. The Lollar sounds too full, and not biting, when I compared it online with a British equivalent. Jack told me that it'd be for everything, including the neck. I probably would be content with the cherry if it had turned darker, as the burst has done. However, it's still as bright red as ever. If I had been given an awful quote, like over $1k, I'd probably leave it alone, but in these days when luthiers are charging $10k for guitars, I think that $600 is a deal. Before they do this, I'm going to drive it up there to have the curly maple headstock put on, to see if the price stays at $100.Once and for all, I'm going to learn from someone, who really knows how,how to put photos online. Am sort of pre-1990 techwise.I think that I answered all of the questions. I'm probably going ahead with everything because I love everything else about this guitar.- Charles Bevell

[unikh550]

Love Viceroy, but it's not that much different than the Antique Cherry that I have. The Sunsetburst is exactly it, only I would want probably almond (not dark almond) for the part of the SSB that is dark brown, with a larger area for the burst itself. No, I'm not buying another. I had this one made in 1998 with no fretboard inlays, pickguard, vol/tone controls, or pickup for $1,500 even,including the case, with no tax since it was an out of state dealer. I had a friend put on a CC pickup from a '79 Gibson ES-175CC that I purchased from Island Guitars in Hawaii. I had a friend put it in; now they have repro CC's from Lollar and Seymour, but they didn't then. It's topped off with Barney Kessel bowties that I bought from Gibson, and Ibanez amber and brown knobs from the '70's. So, it's a one-of-a-kind that I wouldn't sell, and no one would give me more than $1,200 or so for it anyway, due to the mods.Plus, H-550's are retailing for over $4,200, so that's like mid-2K's after the discount.Plus, it has the perfect, biting tone that Barney's had. The Lollar sounds too full, and not biting, when I compared it online with a British equivalent. Jack told me that it'd be for everything, including the neck. I probably would be content with the cherry if it had turned darker, as the burst has done. However, it's still as bright red as ever. If I had been given an awful quote, like over $1k, I'd probably leave it alone, but in these days when luthiers are charging $10k for guitars, I think that $600 is a deal. Before they do this, I'm going to drive it up there to have the curly maple headstock put on, to see if the price stays at $100.Once and for all, I'm going to learn from someone, who really knows how,how to put photos online. Am sort of pre-1990 techwise.I think that I answered all of the questions. I'm probably going ahead with everything because I love everything else about this guitar.- Charles Bevell

Don't know if I can reply to myself, but I've decided to have Heritage see if they have some finish that is not bright yellow, but not natural or antique natural; something that will at least show the curly maple a little, like webbing or something. Would not want to cover it entirely, but would be happy with an off yellow with a slight green tint, sort of a dark mustard color.Will probably bring the Tal Farlow video for a guide.Thanks for all the replies.- Charles

[tulk1]

They did a special color for me on my Custom Prospect. I told Vince I already had an OSB and and ALSB. Didn't care too much for Cherry or anything red. And I didn't want Natural or anything light; had to be a dark(ish) finish. Just do something different. And they did! So, I'm thinking they just might work right with you. Marv is not only a monster on neck shapes; but he is an absolute Wiz on colors. Should be cool to see what they come up with.

[unikh550]

They did a special color for me on my Custom Prospect. I told Vince I already had an OSB and and ALSB. Didn't care too much for Cherry or anything red. And I didn't want Natural or anything light; had to be a dark(ish) finish. Just do something different. And they did! So, I'm thinking they just might work right with you. Marv is not only a monster on neck shapes; but he is an absolute Wiz on colors. Should be cool to see what they come up with.

If they can come close to the color on Tal Farlow's prototype and still show some curly maple beneath as his did, I'm going for it. Just a little tired of the color, but love the guitar in all other respects. Thanks.- Charles

[Guest HRB853370]

Jack said that the refinish would be between $500 and $600, which is reasonable. He's an old-timer from the Gibson days who has experience refinishing and with Charlie Christians.

 

Jack French, right? If thats the fellow, I met him and yes, he is an oldtimer from Gibson!

[Gitfiddler]

unik550~ From reading your posts, this might be close to the finish you are looking for.

It's my Gibson Johnny A. Signature in 'Sunset Burst' finish.

[unikh550]

unik550~ From reading your posts, this might be close to the finish you are looking for.

It's my Gibson Johnny A. Signature in 'Sunset Burst' finish.

That's it, exactly!Will copy your pic as a 2nd choice if they can't do the Tal. Your SSB is not as dark on the edges as a lot of them, which I like. Thanks!- Charles Bevell