apqsy Posted January 24, 2012 Posted January 24, 2012 Hi all, I have a Blue H357 circa 1990 which needs some TLC. I think the frets need some attention and pots need replace - not a big problem. But what do you lot think about respraying the guitar? The finish on the front and back is ok with only a few scuffs/chips, but round the edges and the back of the neck is worse. Thoughts..............
big bob Posted January 24, 2012 Posted January 24, 2012 It's you guitar, do what you want. I re-sprayed the clear coat only on my 140.. looks and feels great... that was before I swapped out the pups, changed the wiring, and put on a bigsby... now It's just perfect for me..
MartyGrass Posted January 24, 2012 Posted January 24, 2012 When it gets worn to this level, maybe. Eric Bell's Strat.
FredZepp Posted January 24, 2012 Posted January 24, 2012 Welcome to the HOC... your Heritage looks like this one...?
apqsy Posted January 25, 2012 Author Posted January 25, 2012 Fred zepp, Yeah same colour but my bridge and stop bar are different. On my guitar some of the paint under the clear coat looks as if it is breaking up, looks like lots of hairline cracks in the paint. Not sure what the wood would look like under the paint. I'll try get some pics up tomorrow.
FredZepp Posted January 25, 2012 Posted January 25, 2012 Probably Schaller bridge and tailpiece... The cracks are likely in the nitro, a natural result of that finish. Sometimes people will freeze the guitar or use razor blades to try and recreate that "nitro checking" , to get the look of a vintage instrument. I'd bet it's mahogany under the finish.. but I can't say for sure. If it's got a nice grain and you decide to refinish, it may be nice to pick a finish to show it off. Thanks for the reply ... pics will be cool to see.
apqsy Posted January 26, 2012 Author Posted January 26, 2012 Here is a picture of my guitar. Only one for now - the battery died on my camera. Not sure how to post a picture staight onto the page?.....
DetroitBlues Posted January 26, 2012 Posted January 26, 2012 I'm not a fan of a solid blue guitar. They do look great in bursts or with a nice wood grain peeking out... But don't fear a refinish... You can go from drab to fab from it..... to
NoNameBand Posted January 26, 2012 Posted January 26, 2012 To spray or not to spray, I believe this is the same question my Tom Cat asks himself daily.
tbonesullivan Posted January 28, 2012 Posted January 28, 2012 that's nitro checking. Looks like it might have been exposed to a rapid temperature change or two to get that level of checking. However almost all nitro guitars check eventually. As the finish outgases and becomes more brittle the natural moisture and temperature related changes in the wood become enough to crack it. I would say just get some nice gibson pump polish, or virtuoso, and love the thing. At this point there already is probably a fair amount of dirt and oils that have penetrated into the cracks, which means an overspray might not accomplish what you are looking for. that is a great color though. If it was mine, I wouldn't change a thing.
JackBaruth Posted January 28, 2012 Posted January 28, 2012 That thing looks like crap. I will help you get rid of it and put some money in your pocket. Then you can get a guitar you really want. Let's make it happen.
apqsy Posted February 1, 2012 Author Posted February 1, 2012 Thanks for the feedback tbone. I think ill just change the nut and pots on it for the time being. The colour has started to grow on me. Keep dreaming Jack.
dbetts41 Posted February 1, 2012 Posted February 1, 2012 A few factors to consider: Many people feel that Heritage Guitars will be very collectable in the the future, the 357 is one of the rarer models within the Heritage line. A refinned guitar will be worth less to a collector than one that has been unmolested & shows it's age so to speak. Personally I like guitars that have natural relicing, they have been played (usually because they sound & feel good) & show the wear & tear of being handled every day. I think you should sell it to me & get another heritage in the finish you like
bolero Posted February 1, 2012 Posted February 1, 2012 ha, funny! I would leave that gtr exactly as it is, it looks cool!! I like a naturally aged finish like that
DetroitBlues Posted February 1, 2012 Posted February 1, 2012 It depends... Are you selling it? Then leave it alone... Are you keeping it? Refinish it.... Heritages have not become collectors guitars because there are very few artists people know that endorse them. They are just a high quality guitar manufacture that only a slim minority enjoy.... Just look at how many members you'll find on Fender's forum versus this one... 471,229 Fender members versus 3,232 HOC members. If we had artists like Clapton, SRV, Glimore, Hendrix, and many more famous guitarists using Heritages, it may increase the value of our guitars because of brand awareness. But thankfully they are not because a lot of us couldn't afford them. Just look how Gibson manages to sell signature models at a steep price and get away with it. I don't think any of us would spend $10,000 to $20,000 on a signed, VOS, aged Les Paul by one of their signature artists... Back to refinishing... I had mine refinished because its value was already diminished with a headstock repair. Despite the solid job on it, its got its scarlet letter... No one will touch it. That may happen to yours and it may not. I don't think any of us really de-value a Heritage because of a refinish job... You just won't get back whatever you spent on it.
DavesNotHere Posted February 2, 2012 Posted February 2, 2012 Well, this raises a question related to another recent thread. If the guitar were to be refinished by the original manufacturer, could it be claimed to be "original"? I know it's not as it left the factory, but for example if Marv sprayed it the first time and did the re-spray what would be the correct (honest) way to refer to it if it was sold. How would a buyer/collector react to the factory re-spray? How would it affect the price? I'm all about original, but if the OEM did the rework I would be cool with it.
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