What finish for a LP kit? (pick 2) {EDIT in bold}

[andrewsrea]

@golem gave me a Les Paul Standard made from a 'Fret Wire' kit. I need to pull the neck, as the tilt is too flat. The color is a limeish headstock and flame top, with a yellow-greenish natural back. The body back looks like a butcher-block of mahogany. Looks like some of the flame has been sanded through (not sure if it is the finish or veneer). So dark or opaque finishes would make the flaws less apparent.

The neck feels good and the fretboard & spacing is good. Nickel hardware & crème rings, guards, etc. I am building an AMI 'Butterfinger' (A4) pickup (very PAF) for the neck and either an AMI 'Greeny' (A2) or a LZ-01B (A5c) for the bridge.

I will use nitro for the finish and am totally going out-of-character and doing a relic.

For reference, I have an AMI LP with a faded amber-cherry burst and gold cherry back, a black Epiphone LP Custom with vintage yellow binding and a Aria Pro II exact replica of a Norlin cherry-burst 1974 LP Custom. I have (6) tobacco burst guitars, (3) faded cherry burst, (4) red, (3) natural, (2) black, (2) blue, (1) orange (1) crème, (1) walnut & (1) Hunter Green.

Here are some ideas I am considering and would like to hear which you prefer:
- 1959 Gold Top w/ chestnut brown back (like a 1958, with larger frets) and with a pickguard
- 1959 Tobacco-burst w chestnut brown back, no PG
- Banana Crème , with or without PG (a Fender color, but who cares?)
- 70's Walnut, no PG
- 90's Cabernet red, with a crème PG

[glasshand]

Hey, I think your poll is broken. There's no option for "clownburst".

[RockYoWorld]

I voted for Gold Top and Vintage Creme just to add some diversity to your collection.

[BatUtilityBelt]

I love the vintage gold tops that show the flame, but have no idea how to make that happen.

[mozz]

Voted for cream. I would have voted for "gold top" but since this is a Agile guitar forum, you would have to mix about 50% green paint in there. (Afraid to open the hardshell case to see how much MORE green my 2500 p90 goldtop has turned)

[Mossman]

Gold tops and tobacco bursts are played out, man. I voted Walnut or Wine, er, Cabernet Red (getting fancy on us?).

[tobijohn]

Gold tops and tobacco bursts are played out, man. I voted Walnut or Wine, er, Cabernet Red (getting fancy on us?).

I've got to go with @Mossman on this one. If the veneer is messed up though, why not consider a solid color? I've got a Radiant Red Studio and it is striking. Also, where are you getting the nitro from?

[sabasgr68]

Using an USA expression, I´m a sucker for Tobacco guitars - burst or not -, but will go with @Mossman and @tobijohn this time, voted Walnut.

[andrewsrea]

@Mossman : "Cabernet Red (getting fancy on us?)" Lol - 'wine red' is the Gibson name, but I've personally seen very light variations. "Cabernet" is my earmark for a ruby red with a hint of dark tobacco to cut the transparency. Plus, cabernet is my favorite red wine.

@tobijohn: Solid color? That is a great suggestion if I wasn't going to use this to hone my relic skills. I'd personally do 'Purple-licious,' but would need to do the whole thing in acrylic lacquer.

As far as the veneer, what I believe may be sand-throughs are near the edges. The flame is still there, but not in the same consistency as the rest of the top. Now I've seen Gibsons and PRS with blurs and fades occurring naturally, but the transition seems a little more 'natural.' That said, using a muted paint on the top, either all of it or just the burst 'frame', will help with the quick transition and allow me to use some relicing to further use that mistake.

For $30 and some work I could replace the veneer, but the fades are small and I'd rather see how I can use other techniques to make it work.

Nitro I've been getting from StewMac or Reranch. They are both compatible and close in flexibility - not too brittle and definitely not gooey. Reranch is when I am lazy and don't want to mix colors or invest in opaque bases. They are expensive and not practical for single use. I've had them harden over time.

@sabasgr68 : "I'm a sucker for Tobacco guitars..." Me too! Which is why I have so many tradition Tobacco Sunbursts. Even my 'red' sunbursts are mostly of the faded variety, for instance my PRS McCarty in that caramel-hint-of-red 'McCarty Burst.'

[tobijohn]

Nitro I've been getting from StewMac or Reranch. They are both compatible and close in flexibility - not too brittle and definitely not gooey. Reranch is when I am lazy and don't want to mix colors or invest in opaque bases. They are expensive and not practical for single use. I've had them harden over time.

Reranch has been out of a lot of colors for quite some time, I didn't check all of them but after about a dozen came up as out of stock, I quit. There have been comments in the forum there about it as well. Brad Angove who is out of Canada and has a YT channel on guitar painting and refinishing hasanother source but I'm not sure if it can be shipped to the US:



https://www.oxfordsupply.ca/

[andrewsrea]

Nitro I've been getting from StewMac or Reranch. They are both compatible and close in flexibility - not too brittle and definitely not gooey. Reranch is when I am lazy and don't want to mix colors or invest in opaque bases. They are expensive and not practical for single use. I've had them harden over time.

Reranch has been out of a lot of colors for quite some time, I didn't check all of them but after about a dozen came up as out of stock, I quit. There have been comments in the forum there about it as well. Brad Angove who is out of Canada and has a YT channel on guitar painting and refinishing hasanother source but I'm not sure if it can be shipped to the US:



https://www.oxfordsupply.ca/

Most appreciated for the tip. I talked with the Reranch owner last summer. In his words he is getting old and not willing to stock as much as he previously did. So, he takes and order and buys a case for restock. Which part of me likes, as you are getting fresh paint.

[tobijohn]

Most appreciated for the tip. I talked with the Reranch owner last summer. In his words he is getting old and not willing to stock as much as he previously did. So, he takes and order and buys a case for restock. Which part of me likes, as you are getting fresh paint.

If you actually try to order any product, you get the following message:

"We are closed for a few days to fill the backlog of orders. Thanks, Bill and Glenda"

You might want to wait a few days but IIRC, that was the same message I got a couple months ago when I tried to order something...

[andrewsrea]

Most appreciated for the tip. I talked with the Reranch owner last summer. In his words he is getting old and not willing to stock as much as he previously did. So, he takes and order and buys a case for restock. Which part of me likes, as you are getting fresh paint.

If you actually try to order any product, you get the following message:

"We are closed for a few days to fill the backlog of orders. Thanks, Bill and Glenda"

You might want to wait a few days but IIRC, that was the same message I got a couple months ago when I tried to order something...

I have his email and he typically answers that in a day. Like I said, i think he is retired and does what he wants - when he wants.

[andrewsrea]

I appreciate all responses to date and this poll will go on for a bit longer. My mind is not set yet and it looks like I have to unglue the set neck to adjust the pitch. I sunk the bridge as far as it would go and still have 4mm of action to remedy.

Back to the finish, I am surprised how many positive 'walnut' responses. When putting it as a choice, I was feeling it would end up last in AGF popularity.

[Buddha Pickups]

I appreciate all responses to date and this poll will go on for a bit longer. My mind is not set yet and it looks like I have to unglue the set neck to adjust the pitch. I sunk the bridge as far as it would go and still have 4mm of action to remedy.

Back to the finish, I am surprised how many positive 'walnut' responses. When putting it as a choice, I was feeling it would end up last in AGF popularity.

I may have voted walnut but I also may be biased..

20210528_210831.jpg

[andrewsrea]

I appreciate all responses to date and this poll will go on for a bit longer. My mind is not set yet and it looks like I have to unglue the set neck to adjust the pitch. I sunk the bridge as far as it would go and still have 4mm of action to remedy.

Back to the finish, I am surprised how many positive 'walnut' responses. When putting it as a choice, I was feeling it would end up last in AGF popularity.

I may have voted walnut but I also may be biased..
20210528_210831.jpg

That is sweet! Looks like 'The Paul' model. Are those transparent pickup bobbins?

[Buddha Pickups]

I appreciate all responses to date and this poll will go on for a bit longer. My mind is not set yet and it looks like I have to unglue the set neck to adjust the pitch. I sunk the bridge as far as it would go and still have 4mm of action to remedy.

Back to the finish, I am surprised how many positive 'walnut' responses. When putting it as a choice, I was feeling it would end up last in AGF popularity.

I may have voted walnut but I also may be biased..
20210528_210831.jpg

That is sweet! Looks like 'The Paul' model. Are those transparent pickup bobbins?

Thanks
It's a 79 The Paul.
Yes, transparent bobbins. 1 plain enamel coil and 1 formvar coil to give it a zebra vibe

[Mossman]

Back to the finish, I am surprised how many positive 'walnut' responses. When putting it as a choice, I was feeling it would end up last in AGF popularity.

This is a forum full of old geezers. Most of us can remember the '70s with fondness.

I've always preferred the look of wood (stained/trans/natural) over painted finishes.