2005 R8 with 1200 gigs on it. All natural wear

[matt173844]

Fantastic. Sucks it didn’t check but phenomenal. I want to send you my guitar so you can wear it out naturally lol

Are all vintage les Paul’s checked? i thought checking was from rapid temp changes. I was always carful with this guitar when it came to being stored in the case no staying in the house.

 

[matt173844]

looks fine now but that aged patina was over the top ! ..cool thing is you can do it again..probably not a bad thing to have opened it up after 18 years..do you still gig that heavy

No I left the band about 10 years ago. The guitar had been stored until recently. I burned out and didn’t want to play anymore but have slowly come around.

 

[garywright]

thats still one sweet looking axe

 

[Jethro Rocker]

Are all vintage les Paul’s checked? i thought checking was from rapid temp changes. I was always carful with this guitar when it came to being stored in the case no staying in the house.

Finish can check over time. Although my 1975 L6-S has very little checking, I have seen some with lots of checking that are newer.

 

[Wizard1183]

Are all vintage les Paul’s checked? i thought checking was from rapid temp changes. I was always carful with this guitar when it came to being stored in the case no staying in the house.

It is from rapid temperature change. But I’ve had an argument over it saying it’s lacquer crystallized which causes check. I asked then why didn’t some 59s check if that was case to which no reply. And them telling me I was wrong about temperature and that no reissue will check naturally this and that.

But he’s hailed as guru and not to mention a mod on a group so threatened to get me kicked for arguing…I’m like whatever

 

[brandtkronholm]

It is from rapid temperature change. But I’ve had an argument over it saying it’s lacquer crystallized which causes check. I asked then why didn’t some 59s check if that was case to which no reply. And them telling me I was wrong about temperature and that no reissue will check naturally this and that.

But he’s hailed as guru and not to mention a mod on a group so threatened to get me kicked for arguing…I’m like whatever

Some guitars get the finish cracks, others don’t.

Temperature change is the most immediate cause, but certainly not the only factor. (Once I opened a guitar case after bringing it in from the cold only to hear the finish go SNAP! Yup, you can actually hear it happen.)

My 1995 R9 has plenty of weather checking.
My 1959 ES345 has almost no weather checking - you really have to look hard to find it.
My 1960 Byrdland is completely covered with weather checking - there are more finish cracks than finish.
My 1998 Martin D42 might have some tiny hints of checking - despite many outdoor gigs! (It does have a loose back brace…)
My 1996 PRS Santana has exactly one tiny finish crack. (Please don’t tell Paul!)

 

[ADP]

Legendary ax!

 

[guitplayer]

The 05 R8`s are great guitars. Madagascar rosewood is fine by me.
Never sell!! Noticed a nice change in tone with added Grovers.

 

[Minibucker]

Real blood sweat and tears.

 

[konrad gibson]

I bought this baby brand new and used it for about 9 years. We played 3 nights per week at 3-4 hours and I never switched guitars, so it has thousands of stage hours. When I left the band I put it away in the case and have only just now started playing again. Dan Erlwine did a setup and even wrote an article about it in StewMac. It’s filthy, but I love the character and it plays like a dream.

It got a lot of attention on FB so I thought you guys may appreciate a road warrior like this. View attachment 20830View attachment 20832View attachment 20833

thats real aging!!!!!!!

 

[RJLII]

I bought this baby brand new and used it for about 9 years. We played 3 nights per week at 3-4 hours and I never switched guitars, so it has thousands of stage hours. When I left the band I put it away in the case and have only just now started playing again. Dan Erlwine did a setup and even wrote an article about it in StewMac. It’s filthy, but I love the character and it plays like a dream.

It got a lot of attention on FB so I thought you guys may appreciate a road warrior like this. View attachment 20830View attachment 20832View attachment 20833

Link to the Dan Erlewine article?

 

[burst59]

I bought this baby brand new and used it for about 9 years. We played 3 nights per week at 3-4 hours and I never switched guitars, so it has thousands of stage hours. When I left the band I put it away in the case and have only just now started playing again. Dan Erlwine did a setup and even wrote an article about it in StewMac. It’s filthy, but I love the character and it plays like a dream.

It got a lot of attention on FB so I thought you guys may appreciate a road warrior like this. View attachment 20830View attachment 20832View attachment 20833

Looks Fantastic️

 

[burst59]

I see that !

Rockin️

 

[garywright]

yes she is

 

[matt173844]

Link to the Dan Erlewine article?

https://www.stewmac.com/video-and-i...r/how-to-clean-a-guitar-that-really-needs-it/

It looked and played perfect once Dan returned it! A little too clean for my tastes though, I had it dirty again within a few months.

 

[MattD1960]

This is a fantastic post, cuz it kinda proves the point of these guitars in a way. If you play them out pretty much as intended they will age like the real ones. but because of the price tag and the live music landscape of the day most of these guitars will see more case time then stage time. It really is fantastic you put all those miles on this R8 if nothing else this was a true real life test and looks like this passed with flying colors. if u put that in a line up of some old guitars it would look right at home

 

[56lp]

Great looking natural wear/relicing. Would love to see a picture of the wear on the back of the neck.