Gloss, VOS, Aged?

[golfnut]

I guess since that was the topic of the thread, after all... one can state their dislike of a finish.That said, I don't understand why anyone would buy a guitar to never play it. What's the point? Missing out on years worth of playing enjoymemt so decades from now it is still mint?

Thats another thing I never wonder about. Whether someone buys a guitar to not play is there prerogative. I buy them to play them. I've taken my very expensive Martin D-28 Authentic to campfire jams.

 

[Any Name You Wish]

I have a theory about the aged guitar trend. I suspect that there are a lot of people (not all) that want to claim it is actually a vintage instrument. You know when people are over for a get-together or party and they tell them a story about the guitar. Maybe they even claim that they have owned since 1959. Then there are a lot of people that just don't like shiny new stuff, but then if you play the thing almost every day like I do it doesn't look all clean and shiny for very long. These recent nitro finishes wear pretty fast. Clearly most of the responses to this thread are Gloss or VOS, not aged or relic. A bunch of serious players here!

Wildwood sells a ton of Murphy aged Les Pauls, and I mean a ton of them. I saw one recently for $13,999. $14 grand for a new guitar, not vintage. Holy Burstbuckers Batman!

 

[golfnut]

I have a theory about the aged guitar trend. I suspect that there are a lot of people (not all) that want to claim it is actually a vintage instrument. You know when people are over for a get-together or party and they tell them a story about the guitar. Maybe they even claim that they have owned since 1959. Then there are a lot of people that just don't like shiny new stuff, but then if you play the thing almost every day like I do it doesn't look all clean and shiny for very long. These recent nitro finishes wear pretty fast. Clearly most of the responses to this thread are Gloss or VOS, not aged or relic. A bunch of serious players here!

Wildwood sells a ton of Murphy aged Les Pauls, and I mean a ton of them. I saw one recently for $13,999. $14 grand for a new guitar, not vintage. Holy Burstbuckers Batman!

If you go with that theory you'd probably be wrong. If, as you say you can get the wear that fast on your non relic guitar well whats to stop you from playing the hell out of it and then claiming its a vintage piece. I mean if thats your mind set. Hell, since your most likely talking about fooling people that don't know the difference you could claim your shiny new standard is a vintage that was treated with baby gloves all its life. But then what excuse would you have to dis a finish?
What I don't understand is why does it bug people like you that so many prefer the relic option that you have to try and attach negative motives for wanting this finish.
Personally I hated the heavy relic option of the fender Teles I used to see until I had one in my hands and couldn't believe how comfortable it felt. I even owned a heavy relic masterbuilt nocaster for a while that had the most comfortable feeling neck of a guitar I have ever played. But my vanity got the better of me as I didn't like the look of the heavier relics so both my custom shop fenders (strat and tele) are journey man relics where I balance comfort and a reasonable look.
When I bought my R8 it came down to 2. A VOS and a Murphy Lab lite wear. They both sounded fantastic but there was something I just didn't like about a les paul with a bit of wear. It would have been a great match sitting next to my 2 Fenders. And the neck wear on the murphy lab didn't feel comfortable like my Fenders. It had this bumpy\rough texture to it. So the VOS is what I chose.
And as much as I personally don't like a heavy relic look I certainly wouldn't dis anyone who does. And whether they want to fool anyone at a kitchen party in to believing its a real vintage guitar. Well I don't care about that either.

 

[LyleGorch]

I guess the $13,999 for $ 6,800 guitar is the hours spent with a razor blade and sander. It’s like a painting.

 

[Any Name You Wish]

Fender and Marshall should come out with aged/relic amplifiers to go with aged/relic guitars. I should be in marketing. Oh wait, I used to be in marketing

 

[PayDay]

Go with what speaks to you when you see it.

 

[Jethro Rocker]

Thats another thing I never wonder about. Whether someone buys a guitar to not play is there prerogative. I buy them to play them. I've taken my very expensive Martin D-28 Authentic to campfire jams.

Of course it is their perogative. It just doesn't make sense at all to me, so I wonder as I cannot wrap my head around that.
Doesn't mean I dis anyone for their opinion or such. Notbthat anyone said I did...
As this was an opinion thread, I offered mine.
That said, I ordered that sexy glossy R0 that mentioned!!

 

[golfnut]

Of course it is their perogative. It just doesn't make sense at all to me, so I wonder as I cannot wrap my head around that.
Doesn't mean I dis anyone for their opinion or such. Notbthat anyone said I did...
As this was an opinion thread, I offered mine.
That said, I ordered that sexy glossy R0 that mentioned!!

Maybe I've just been around longer but I've seen people collect many things that they don't use for the intended purpose but just to have. Guitar, classic cars, antique golf clubs, etc.

 

[Jethro Rocker]

Maybe I've just been around longer but I've seen people collect many things that they don't use for the intended purpose but just to have. Guitar, classic cars, antique golf clubs, etc.

Yeah very true. Keep the fancy car in the corner of garage and take out once a year. Fancy dishes, coins, etc.
Not sure if you've been around longer than me! Ha!

 

[goldtop0]

I have a theory about the aged guitar trend. I suspect that there are a lot of people (not all) that want to claim it is actually a vintage instrument. You know when people are over for a get-together or party and they tell them a story about the guitar. Maybe they even claim that they have owned since 1959. A bunch of serious players here!

Have met a few 'posers' in my time but never to be seen again is the rule of thumb
It's a doozy when you burst(excuse the pun) their bubble. Like it's sitting in the corner of the lounge that particular evening and they make special mention of it, always a classic.

 

[golfnut]

Have met a few 'posers' in my time but never to be seen again is the rule of thumb
It's a doozy when you burst(excuse the pun) their bubble. Like it's sitting in the corner of the lounge that particular evening and they make special mention of it, always a classic.

I've never run in to this my self. I think too many pay too much attention to others. If someone were to lie to me about a guitar being vintage (trying to pass off a relic) I probably wouldn't pay enough attention or care. And if I did happen to notice I was being handed a load, again wouldn't really care. So I can't say that I've ever met said poser. Not really paying attention and I don't care enough.

 

[Standard Magic]

NOS, the way it came from the factory, I wish they offered this.

 

[Any Name You Wish]

NOS, the way it came from the factory, I wish they offered this.

A 1959 Les Paul NOS would cost about $250,000. But, I get what you mean.

 

[Pat Boyack]

NOS, the way it came from the factory, I wish they offered this.

They do.

 

[Jethro Rocker]

Are you sure you aren't just seeing VOS finishes at your L&M? I'm not aware of gloss models being sold here, they tend to be a limited thing that some special niche dealers like Wildwood get and in fact do have gloss hardware from the photos on their website:

You might be confusing the newer VOS finishes for gloss as they are less cruddy as they should be. (Most of the well kept golden era guitars I have seen at my local vintage dealer are actually quite shiny.)

Thanks for this post! As a result, I bought that guitar you pictured.
Incredible, to me.

 

[MotorcityRocker]

I just bought right before Christmas. A Gibson Custom Shop 1958 Les Paul Standard in Lemon Burst gloss finish. What a fantastic guitar and Gibson did a great job on the craftsmanship and quality. I got this guitar at Guitar Center in Nashville. Straight from the sealed box from the back of GC's warehouse. The guitar was perfect and I had it set up with Eric Ball RocknRoll 9's. I just wish the Custom Shop would add some nice case candy with it. Possibly a polishing cloth, picks, or some kind of cool swag. I did get the certificate and some hang tags that were copies from years gone by.

 

[Señor Verde]

Gloss, but VOS is OK. It isn't over-done and the finish can be buffed to a gloss.

 

[CatManDoo88]

Thanks for this post! As a result, I bought that guitar you pictured.
Incredible, to me.

Let us know how she plays when she arrives!

 

[Jethro Rocker]

Let us know how she plays when she arrives!

So far so good. It is stellar. I did post a NGD thead.
Honestly haven't given it a full workout yet. But I will!
Again, thanks for posting the pic. This is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.

 

[KoP]

I think there should be Gibsons that have no finish at all. Just a few coats of linseed or other oil with smooth sanding. That would really open up the haunting mids of the guitar.