Just a random question: Anyone here change their guitars cosmetically?

**Tyler_279** · 12.06.19, 03:22 AM

Seeing what other people do with guitars as far as electronics upgrades, new bridges, new tuners, what have you.....

Has anyone here done any upgrade cosmetically?

Such as:

New color stain and finish on a top
Finish polishing
Changing color of paint
etc.

I'm curious from those of you with older guitar models such as an EVH musicman that has had some use/wear/etc.....has anyone done anything to bring those guitars back to looking as close to brand new as possible? Or simply changing the look because limited options don't allow you to get exactly what you want? Such as sanding down a natural finish flame top, staining it a color of your choice, and refinishing it? Beat up guitar with lots of buckle rash, pick and finger scrapes, and small clear coat/protective finish deep dings refinished to like new?

I was thinking about it because some guitars I like to have/see all that wear. I have a kramer that is pretty beat up, but it fits. However, some guitars I can't help but do everything I can to keep as mint as possible. I can't imagine it feeling okay to just use and abuse an Axis, for example. Some guitars just seem too beautiful to even want to take out of the case.

I'm curious how common this is for certain guitars. Or do most owners, like myself, just feel that the cost isn't really worth the trade off?

**KS 5150** · 12.06.19, 07:07 AM

Originally Posted by Tyler_279

Seeing what other people do with guitars as far as electronics upgrades, new bridges, new tuners, what have you.....

Has anyone here done any upgrade cosmetically?

Such as:

New color stain and finish on a top
Finish polishing
Changing color of paint
etc.

I'm curious from those of you with older guitar models such as an EVH musicman that has had some use/wear/etc.....has anyone done anything to bring those guitars back to looking as close to brand new as possible? Or simply changing the look because limited options don't allow you to get exactly what you want? Such as sanding down a natural finish flame top, staining it a color of your choice, and refinishing it? Beat up guitar with lots of buckle rash, pick and finger scrapes, and small clear coat/protective finish deep dings refinished to like new?

I was thinking about it because some guitars I like to have/see all that wear. I have a kramer that is pretty beat up, but it fits. However, some guitars I can't help but do everything I can to keep as mint as possible. I can't imagine it feeling okay to just use and abuse an Axis, for example. Some guitars just seem too beautiful to even want to take out of the case.

I'm curious how common this is for certain guitars. Or do most owners, like myself, just feel that the cost isn't really worth the trade off?

Depends on the guitar. I recently turned a '74 Gibson Les Paul Custom into a Randy Rhoads clone, bc why wouldn't you lol? I kept all of the original parts intact in case I ever need to sell, or want to restore it back. I have a '93 EBMM EVH, but haven't made any changes to it, other than replacing the crappy, falling-apart Strat case with a proper Music Man case, & replacing the trem arm as it broke in shipping. My other cosmetic change was to replace the stock Gibson pickups on a Les Paul with some double cream boutique pickups. partly for the look & party for the sound. If I have a guitar with natural buckle rash or playwear, I just leave it, as that's part of the guitar's history & mojo. An example, my old '89 LP Custom:

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**Scottz** · 12.06.19, 12:49 PM

Yes, I took an Epiphone Goth Explorer in trade and the finish on it was hideous. I've stripped it and dyed it with Transtint Red mahogany and gave it about 10 coats of Tru-oil. It will be back together soon. I'm switching to Gibson 57 Classic pickups (57+/57), CTS pots, orange drop cap and chrome hardware with cream pickguard.

**Tyler_279** · 12.06.19, 09:50 PM

Originally Posted by Scottz

Yes, I took an Epiphone Goth Explorer in trade and the finish on it was hideous. I've stripped it and dyed it with Transtint Red mahogany and gave it about 10 coats of Tru-oil. It will be back together soon. I'm switching to Gibson 57 Classic pickups (57+/57), CTS pots, orange drop cap and chrome hardware with cream pickguard.

Nice, you gotta post before and after pics.

I'm curious about guitars with a binding. Maybe yours does. Must be hard not to have the stain bleed over onto it and affect it. Even with tape, I am sure there is some bleed as it gets absorbed into the wood...like wet paint spreading under tape a little bit.