602a Posted October 11, 2012 Posted October 11, 2012 I'm thinking about doing some checking on my 150. Anyone ever have one aged? If so how did it turn out?
DetroitBlues Posted October 11, 2012 Posted October 11, 2012 Um, no. We age them the old fashioned way... We play them... Tarnished hardware maybe... But no "road worn" guitars here...
TalismanRich Posted October 11, 2012 Posted October 11, 2012 I'm letting them age gracefully. I wouldn't try to make a girlfriend look old and wrinkled, why would I do that to my guitars?
Kuz Posted October 11, 2012 Posted October 11, 2012 Different strokes for different folks. It is not my thing, but it is your guitar and if that is the look you like go for it!!!
FredZepp Posted October 11, 2012 Posted October 11, 2012 The famous "Burst" Les Pauls made at Kalamazoo had a red dye that easily faded and a nitro that tended to check extensively. These features (or flaws) are now part of the look of a vintage Burst from '58-'60. But to the builder these were not intended or desirable results. You'll likely find that the reds don't fade and the nitro finish is resistant to checking on a Heritage .. ..... that would be a couple of things that Heritage likely feels that they've improved upon . The guitars that they craft now will look better longer. Certainly on my big hollowbody, with it's gorgeous woods, I'm glad that is true. But perhaps you can find some methods to relic the guitar to some degree...... I have quite a few older guitars and I do like guitars with some mileage on them. Proceed cautiously... and good luck.
NewGuy Posted October 11, 2012 Posted October 11, 2012 The famous "Burst" Les Pauls made at Kalamazoo had a red dye that easily faded and a nitro that tended to check extensively. These features (or flaws) are now part of the look of a vintage Burst from '58-'60. To be specific this is true for 58 and 59 not 60 (the 1600+ Lesters)
yngwie308 Posted October 11, 2012 Posted October 11, 2012 Not any lacquer checking on mine since 1991...hardware, sans bridge has oxidized, but not the stainless steel frets..lol. yngwie308
DaveW Posted October 11, 2012 Posted October 11, 2012 The Q above brings to mind a story I tell students at a design fundamentals course I teach annually: A wine investor buys a case (12 bottles) of very expensive wine. He wants to know what it will taste like with 20 years of normal aging, so he can assess the future value of his investment. So he puts 1 bottle in the oven overnight at 250 degress to accelerate the aging processes. Next morning he tastes the aged wine. What do you think he discovered?..........Cooked wine. Not pleaseant, I imagine. Based on his experience, do you think he came to the correct conclusion regarding the future value of his investment? The lesson is that artifically aging anything can lead to unanticipated, and all too often, undesired outcomes. Good luck on your project.
FredZepp Posted October 11, 2012 Posted October 11, 2012 To be specific this is true for 58 and 59 not 60 (the 1600+ Lesters) True. I was just reading on the Bonamassa forum, Joe says ...... Well, there are three kinds of 60 Les Pauls... Early style ( which is what I have, Pre April 1960) which has 59 features including neck and the Aniline dye that will fade over time or exposure to sun, or spotlights. Next is the mid 1960 with has the flat skinny neck like a Les Paul /SG still the the Aniline dye finish... Third is the the late 60 aka clown burst or tomato soup burst. A bright cherry red with relector knobs and a skinny neck. All of these guitars are great in their own way..
Gitfiddler Posted October 11, 2012 Posted October 11, 2012 I'm thinking about doing some checking on my 150. Anyone ever have one aged? If so how did it turn out? I check on my Heritages every chance I get. I'm the only thing aging. My Heritages still look as awesome today as the day I brought em home.
GuitArtMan Posted October 11, 2012 Posted October 11, 2012 I am aging my Heritages by playing them. This.
JeffB Posted October 11, 2012 Posted October 11, 2012 I keep banging it and bumping things with my H150. It bothers me a lot. I wouldnt purposefully distress it. I absent-mindedly distress it. I havent seen a purposely aged guitar I like but Ive seen plenty of 20-50yr old guitars that have aged really nicely with rubs and blemishes that I like. I guess its worth a try if its something that you might like though.
602a Posted October 11, 2012 Author Posted October 11, 2012 OK put down the pitch forks and tourches, I'm not talking about destroying a Heritage by chopping it in half. It was a simple question about checking or aging on a guitar. I have owned a couple of 1986 Heritages and none ever had a check mark. Just wondering if anyone else's has aged in color or checked. As far as playing one till it ages, with the finish as thick as it is on our guitars I would doubt it will ever check. Come to think of it I may just strip her and refinish her in thin Nitro or buy a Black Heritage and spray silver on her. That seems to be ok here. Thanks for the input.
tbonesullivan Posted October 11, 2012 Posted October 11, 2012 If you want to age it, play it. Or leave it out in the garage or in the sun for a bit. Of course there is only one real way to get real age: age.
kidsmoke Posted October 11, 2012 Posted October 11, 2012 I have owned a couple of 1986 Heritages and none ever had a check mark. yeah, as alluded to earlier in this thread...I think they addressed the issues that led to the checking and fading many many moons ago. I'm not as priveleged as some around here in regards to my access to the finest guitars....but I do pick up my buddies bone stock '72/4 (can't recall) LP Deluxe, MIK (alamazoo), on a regular basis, there's not a check on it anywhere.
DetroitBlues Posted October 11, 2012 Posted October 11, 2012 Buy an AXL if you want an aged looking guitar...
hotfordcoupe Posted October 11, 2012 Posted October 11, 2012 The lesson is that artifically aging anything can lead to unanticipated, and all too often, undesired outcomes. I agree with this 100%. You run the risk of ruining a good guitar by the techniques that can artificially age an instrument. I'd leave it alone or better yet, if you want a beat up guitar, buy a beat up old guitar.
602a Posted October 11, 2012 Author Posted October 11, 2012 I guess everyone is different but I think this looks good. But that's just my thought. I guess it's not for everyone. I think my 150 would look very good like this.
yoslate Posted October 11, 2012 Posted October 11, 2012 ...but I do pick up my buddies bone stock '72/4 (can't recall) LP Deluxe, MIK (alamazoo), on a regular basis, there's not a check on it anywhere. Norlin era. Poly.
602a Posted October 11, 2012 Author Posted October 11, 2012 I don't know Yoslate, I have a 72 Gold Top and it's checked like crazy.
yoslate Posted October 11, 2012 Posted October 11, 2012 Maybe a tad too much. LMAO!!! I have a '72 Deluxe, Clownburst. No checking, and apparently a bulletproof finish. Thought Norlin had gone to the "easier" poly. Love that fried Paul, in the context of this thread, hilarious!
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