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Hey Burst experts, how accurate is Historic Makeovers?

El Gringo

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 8, 2015
Messages
5,657
I totally agree. Kim's work is outstanding and he's a great person to deal with.

Years ago I had a couple of really nice 2005 aged Murphy R9s which at the time I thought looked pretty authentic, until I had my first HM done. Side by side, the lacquer checking of the Murphys (which was done by the razor method at the time ) made the guitars look like caricatures in comparison to the HM aging. I ended up selling both of the Murphys and I now have three HMs.

2014 R8
Dscn9577_2000.jpg


Dscn7508%20%201200_zpsvexoxlxf.jpg


2007 CR8
2015-05-01%20CR87258%20Makeover%2010%201024_zps1icmbc7w.jpg


Dscn7148_zpspvtzcvym.jpg


2017 R8
Dscn4271%20edited_zpsmb3488z7.jpg


Dscn4272%20Edited_zpsotsugwds.jpg
2014 R8 is just simply gorgeous and to die for as it is so smoking hot and looks so vintage and totally blows away the Murphy's . 2014 R8 is just so hot and really looks like an old vintage burst I must say ! As does the 2007 CR8 , along with the 2017 R8 . These are stunning and to me look more vintage than the Murphy's , which formerly employed the uber razor blade technique which I did not care for , but they do fill a niche in the marketplace . My sincere compliments on these fine beauties and I must admit I have serious lust for the first Les Paul that I believe is in a Ice Tea finish ? That one just drips so much vintage vibe to me and I bet she delivers the goods in the tone dept. in spades and then some ? Do these have the stock Custombuckers (14, and 17 ) ? If not may I ask what pickups do you use ? 3 great examples of Kim's masterpiece work and where I think his genius lies is in the subtlety , whereas the Murphy's can be over the top and that can be a bit much . Even though they do fill a niche and can be the next best for someone wanting the look of a vintage burst but at a more affordable price then a second mortgage .
 

ourmaninthenorth

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 28, 2009
Messages
7,119
I totally agree. Kim's work is outstanding and he's a great person to deal with.

Years ago I had a couple of really nice 2005 aged Murphy R9s which at the time I thought looked pretty authentic, until I had my first HM done. Side by side, the lacquer checking of the Murphys (which was done by the razor method at the time ) made the guitars look like caricatures in comparison to the HM aging. I ended up selling both of the Murphys and I now have three HMs.

2014 R8
Dscn9577_2000.jpg


Dscn7508%20%201200_zpsvexoxlxf.jpg


2007 CR8
2015-05-01%20CR87258%20Makeover%2010%201024_zps1icmbc7w.jpg


Dscn7148_zpspvtzcvym.jpg


2017 R8
Dscn4271%20edited_zpsmb3488z7.jpg


Dscn4272%20Edited_zpsotsugwds.jpg
Simply exceptional.

Nuff said.
 

DANELECTRO

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 24, 2003
Messages
6,318
Do these have the stock Custombuckers (14, and 17 ) ?

2007 CR8: Throbak SLE-101 Plus MXV with NOS wire
2014 R8: Wizz PAFs
2017 R8: stock Custombuckers

The 2007 CR8 is my number one Les Paul. That guitar sounded great from the day I bought it new, even with the stock Burstbuckers. I've had it loaded with WRC Crossroads, OX4s, Wizz PAFs in the past. No matter what I put in it, its has always sounded great. When I was debating on which guitar to send to Kim for my first makeover, I chose this one because its just a great guitar. I had a couple other contenders that had prettier tops, but I chose this one because of its tone. I was somewhat hesitant to tamper with it for fear that the magic might disappear, but I figured it was more likely to improve with a BRW fretboard and hide glue, so I went for it and I have no regrets. An added benefit is that it weighs in at 7.6 lbs so its shoulder friendly.
 

El Gringo

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 8, 2015
Messages
5,657
2007 CR8: Throbak SLE-101 Plus MXV with NOS wire
2014 R8: Wizz PAFs
2017 R8: stock Custombuckers

The 2007 CR8 is my number one Les Paul. That guitar sounded great from the day I bought it new, even with the stock Burstbuckers. I've had it loaded with WRC Crossroads, OX4s, Wizz PAFs in the past. No matter what I put in it, its has always sounded great. When I was debating on which guitar to send to Kim for my first makeover, I chose this one because its just a great guitar. I had a couple other contenders that had prettier tops, but I chose this one because of its tone. I was somewhat hesitant to tamper with it for fear that the magic might disappear, but I figured it was more likely to improve with a BRW fretboard and hide glue, so I went for it and I have no regrets. An added benefit is that it weighs in at 7.6 lbs so its shoulder friendly.
That is so awesome and I am jealous as you use my favorite pickups ( 101 Plus ) except yours has the NOS wire which I think is so COOL ! 46487_Gibson_Custom_59_Les_PauL_Brazilian_98405_2_787x_progressive - Copy.jpg It's some guitars are just bAsset0013 - Copy.jpgorn with the magic tonewood and others well . It's like my 2 - 2018 Braz boards one which is my avatar and the other is this one and this one screams with tone and that's the best way I can sum it up .Some of them have it in spades and others less so , but with Gibson Custom they are all close neighbors in the tone dept. What's fun for me is to be able to pick up on there subtle tone differences , of which as we know no 2 pieces of wood are alike and that's the beauty of this tone adventure . I am jealous as you have some of those magical ThroBak 's with the NOS wire . I jumped on the ThroBak wagon in 2018 when I had a bad set of BurstBucker 1&3 pickups except for the dreadful squealing which is how I discovered ThroBak from everyone on our wonderful Les Paul Forum (Thanks Mike S) The Burstbucker pickups actually sounded very good and I liked them a lot except for the dreadful squealing as I play thru a pair of High Gain Marshall 2555X's and non wax potted pickups are a no go for me . I have to compliment you on those 3 amazing beauties as I really love your 2014 R8 as that one to my eyes is simply awesome ! Also it sort of reminds me of this Les Paul in my response which is more red in the photos but to me looks more closely like your 2014 R8 .My Compliments !!!!!!!!!!!
 

fernieite

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 3, 2010
Messages
609
Kim did my 2007 R8 in 2010. (Back then Kip Elder did the finishing) It's got early Throbak SLE-101+ LTD pickups with the vintage wire as well. I bought them from Jon in 2008. Looks like a vintage burst to me. (y) (I'm not an expert though; or a photographer. ;) )


my lp -jpg Copy.jpg
 
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nuance97

New member
Joined
Dec 5, 2009
Messages
28
I had one redone by HM years ago, and Kim was an absolute pleasure to work with. We spoke on the phone a couple times, and he was as warm and friendly as could be
 

Brek

Member
Joined
May 23, 2020
Messages
62
Hey Steve,
I guess you were referring to JB, is that correct? Can you please expand? Some of us aren't close to his dealings or music. Thanks
The 'shade' comment would guess that he is, JB wears 'em on stage. but without the poster coming at and saying what he means I guess we'll never know.
 

corpse

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 9, 2007
Messages
4,876

This is one I had- someone faded it- it was more "red' when I owned itmy old HM.jpgn i owned it.
 

Pat Boyack

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Joined
Oct 19, 2011
Messages
4,510
I met Kim when our mutual friend Joe Kubek died suddenly. He took the time to come out to Dallas to pay his respect. I never got a shady feeling and after over 30 years in the music business I definitely would have. Kim is top notch and trust worthy.
 
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El Gringo

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 8, 2015
Messages
5,657
I was thinking of sending a Les Paul to have the top redone. Kim called me on the phone and we talked for a long time. He was an absolutely wonderfully warm individual.... In fact, he talked me out of having the work done and he was right. He could have made an easy buck, but he saved me money and I'm glad I didn't go through with it as it didn't need to be done.. That has been my experience. I suggest calling him on the phone and talking with him and developing your own opinion. I suspect you'll be pleased... A really good guy...
See that is it in a nutshell in how honorable and along with the integrity and it does not get any better for me along with his outstanding work !
 

DonnRowe

Member
Joined
Nov 5, 2019
Messages
59
Never heard a bad thing about HM! They are local to me, and that's dangerous LOL
 
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