dano4kix Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 OK - so a few of you have heard that I have come into ownership of a 1987 H-120. A VERY cool guitar! I don't know much about the guy or guys, who owned it before me, but I can tell you that this guitar has a few dings in the finish and there is some "checking" in the lacquer (long cracks, running almost the length of the body). The dings are finish-deep and the checking can only be seen when the light hits it from an angle. The current finish is a pretty generic opaque white (which I like a lot!) Do I keep the wear and tear (and the nicotine yellowing)? Or do I refinish and bring it back to a like-new appearance?
tulk1 Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 For me, I'd say keep it as is. It's earned it's battle scars.
FredZepp Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 I'd say no, probably. I don't mind (and may even like) some wear and tear on a guitar. And the white looks good, not a bad color. But I do remember someone finishing one of these in a TV Yellow that I thought was awesome. And BigBob re-finished one that turned out great.
mtpatty Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 my opinion- refinish it... http://www.simscustomshop.com/ Mark
dano4kix Posted February 22, 2011 Author Posted February 22, 2011 I am considering another option - using a slightly yellowed, antique white for a "new vintage" look.
smurph1 Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 For me, I'd say keep it as is. It's earned it's battle scars. Yeppy
H Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 Play the crap out of it while you can. Then when you're too old to look cool doing that with a white guitar, get it refinished and hang it on the wall Welcome to the HOC
Hfan Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 Leave it as is, unless it affects playability like a ding on the neck I prefer a guitar with a few battle scars, gives it some character. I find trying to keep a dead mint guitar dead mint can be maddening and that first scratch will be painful. Use the $ you save for your next Heritage, one is usually not sufficient.
big bob Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 I'd say no, probably. I don't mind (and may even like) some wear and tear on a guitar. And the white looks good, not a bad color. But I do remember someone finishing one of these in a TV Yellow that I thought was awesome. And BigBob re-finished one that turned out great. I did not refinish the 120. I took all the parts off and polished them, then I wet sanded the body to get rid of the lacquer checking. Last a polish and then swirl remover. I would try these things before applying a new finish.
dano4kix Posted February 22, 2011 Author Posted February 22, 2011 I did not refinish the 120. I took all the parts off and polished them, then I wet sanded the body to get rid of the lacquer checking. Last a polish and then swirl remover. I would try these things before applying a new finish. Thank you very much! That sounds like a plan.
zguitar71 Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 If you are like me then keeping a guitar in mint condition is impossible. My main gigiing guitar and amp are great instruments (yea the Carr amp is an instrument) but thay are very used too but looks do not excite as much as tone for me. If it is a giging guitar do not bother, and the battle scars as mentioned befor are cool too. I would love to be able to afford an original early 50's Les Paul goltop with p-90's and lots of checking and finish wear, lots-o great history there. I say embrace the less than perfect finish!
big bob Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 here is the thread with the rehab enjoy http://www.heritageownersclub.com/forums/index.php?/topic/5875-mr-fed-ex-man-says-he-is-comming-tomorrow/
bebove64 Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 Wow it's a 1987!Do not refinish it,leave it as it is! be proud of it!
yoslate Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 Do I keep the wear and tear (and the nicotine yellowing)? Why would you want to re-write history? It's a musical instrument, for cryin' out loud. They have histories, personalities. Why would you want to take those away from a guitar?
dano4kix Posted February 23, 2011 Author Posted February 23, 2011 Why would you want to re-write history? It's a musical instrument, for cryin' out loud. They have histories, personalities. Why would you want to take those away from a guitar? Yeah, the more I think about it - the more I like the idea of just leaving it be - though I may change the black dome knob....
Assumer Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 Leave it alone. Can always do it later if you want but cannot turn back if you refinish the guitar.
bolero Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 yeah I'd leave it...some guys pay extra for fake wear & tear, that is good honest history you're thinking of erasing!!
mark555 Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 I'd love a guitar with loads of wear and tear, but it would have to be genuine, none of this road worn stuff. Trouble is, I'd have to buy one already genuinely worn in, I keep my own guitars as pristine as I can and no way would I beat up my 555! Keep it as it is, it's history.
dano4kix Posted February 23, 2011 Author Posted February 23, 2011 I'd love a guitar with loads of wear and tear, but it would have to be genuine, none of this road worn stuff. Trouble is, I'd have to buy one already genuinely worn in, I keep my own guitars as pristine as I can and no way would I beat up my 555! Keep it as it is, it's history. Well then, the NAYS have it! It shall remain as it is for now and evermore! Thanks for the input - and thank you for the warm welcomes to the forum. I'm already shopping for another Heritage - I'm really liking the H-137 TV Yellow!!!!
the jayce Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 For the love of god noooooooo! beatin battered 20 plus years of history, you cant get that back, just play it. Like bob said, a quick very light wet sand and buff will brightner right up without killing the original factory finish or its earned battle scars. A refinished guitar is exactly that refinished and not original which just kills it for most potential buyers in the future or yourself when you look back 20 years fron now and say boy what the h--- was i thinkin' take off that original finish and you have sucked the life out of it i gaurantee. Anyhow congrats on the new heritage!!!!
unikh550 Posted February 25, 2011 Posted February 25, 2011 OK - so a few of you have heard that I have come into ownership of a 1987 H-120. A VERY cool guitar! I don't know much about the guy or guys, who owned it before me, but I can tell you that this guitar has a few dings in the finish and there is some "checking" in the lacquer (long cracks, running almost the length of the body). The dings are finish-deep and the checking can only be seen when the light hits it from an angle. The current finish is a pretty generic opaque white (which I like a lot!) Do I keep the wear and tear (and the nicotine yellowing)? Or do I refinish and bring it back to a like-new appearance? If you do, let Heritage do it. They gave me an up to $500 quote. However, it might be a few hundred more if your dings are major. My far smaller than expected tax refund has caused me to temporarily change my mind about refinishing my ACB H-550.
DetroitBlues Posted February 25, 2011 Posted February 25, 2011 Unless you don't like the color, I'd leave it alone other than wetsanding and polishing it up.... AND...
dano4kix Posted February 25, 2011 Author Posted February 25, 2011 regarding the color The current finish is a pretty generic opaque white (which I like a lot!) I didn't post any pictures because I was only trying to gauge other's opinions on the topic AND Don't be a hater
FredZepp Posted February 25, 2011 Posted February 25, 2011 We LOVE pics here, dano4kix... I bet that eventually you take some more of that 120 and share a bit more of it with us. When I've seen some of those 120's for sale , I certainly considered grabbing one... not that I've got any shortage of guitars, but those are pretty cool. And the wood used for the neck looked really nice.
dano4kix Posted February 25, 2011 Author Posted February 25, 2011 We LOVE pics here, dano4kix... I bet that eventually you take some more of that 120 and share a bit more of it with us. When I've seen some of those 120's for sale , I certainly considered grabbing one... not that I've got any shortage of guitars, but those are pretty cool. And the wood used for the neck looked really nice. Oh yes, there will be pics - I've been researching the techniques for wet-sanding and swirl mark removal - rest assured that before any work begins there will be plenty of "Before" shots - hopefully followed by some lovely "After" shots. I've got a show coming up soon - regretably, I'll be playing bass for that one, but I made the mistake of letting our guitarist play it for 1 practice and now he wants to use it for the show... He's got a 1980 hand made Schecter (from the days when you bought all the parts and they put them together for you to your specs) - but he likes my Heritage better right now - go figure.
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