Historic Makeovers -- Which Guitar Should I send.

[rickruz88]

I'm planning on sending one of my R9s to Historic Makeovers next week for the Deluxe treatment. The problem is, I can't make up my mind as to which guitar I should send. One of the R9's is a 2011 (Cherry Sunburst) and the other is 2019 60th anniversary R9(Lemonburst). On the one hand, I feel that the makeover on the 2011 R9 would be a more dramatic difference and would benefit more from the makeover. However, I also feel that 2019 R9 would have a greater potential resale value.

What are your opinions as to which one I should send to have Kim and crew makeover for me?

Any thoughts or opinions are greatly appreciated.

 

[guitplayer]

I would chose the one with the largest neck profile as that
changes after sanding

 

[Arnold M.]

to my untrained eyes the guitar in the bottom photo looks pretty much perfect .. I wouldn't change a thing

 

[rockabilly69]

2011 because that guitar would get some new improvements that the 2019 already has, like, no trussrod condom, hide glue in the neck joint, and frankly, I like the wood better on the 2011 so I would like to see that with the HM finish

 

[fakejake]

Easy. Without a doubt I'd send the 2011 Cherry Sunburst. The top looks a lot closer to what real burst look like, with beautiful mineral straks and flecks. After Kim + crew do their magic, it will look really really close to a vintage Les Paul. The top on the other one just doesn't look like a burst to me at all. Even with the makeover it will alway lool like a reissue.

 

[rickruz88]

I have been leaning towards the 2011 R9 too. The 2019 has a much more powerful looking top, but I also agree that the 2011 would probably look more authentic with the mineral streaks and more subtle top.

 

[Tim Plains]

2011 or just sell it and buy a newer guitar. HM resale is poor compared to years ago.

 

[dlacx]

Send the one that sounds worse. I had a beautiful R8 that sounded like a dog, but not any more! The BRW board and hide glue made it sing.

 

[Morgan24]

Send the one that sounds worse. I had a beautiful R8 that sounded like a dog, but not any more! The BRW board and hide glue made it sing.

I would without a doubt, send the one that sounds best

 

[fakejake]

I would without a doubt, send the one that sounds best

This!

 

[rickruz88]

The 2011 sounds and plays better than the 2019 by a large margin.

 

[fakejake]

Why not sell the 2019 and get a great vintage amp for the money? Along with the 2011 Makeover you should be pretty much set

 

[rickruz88]

I had a similar idea. I just put the guitar for sale on reverb. This monday I will most like ship the 2011 to Kim at HM.

 

[AA00475Bassman]

IMO sell one buy a aged Gibson - Murphy !

 

[guitarbob123]

I agree with the idea of selling the lesser guitar and getting a nice amp or using the funds to pay for the makeover (or both!)

That 2011 looks a lot closer to having a vintage top to me

 

[El Gringo]

2011 or just sell it and buy a newer guitar. HM resale is poor compared to years ago.

You are very wise

 

[rickruz88]

After having a long conversation with Kim LaFleur and showing him both of my guitars, he highly recommending the deluxe makeover on 2019 60th Anniversary due to much stronger top. He agreed that the 2019 should have a much higher resale value, should I decide to sell down the road.

This will bring the guitar as close as possible to real '59 specs, given that the 60th Anniversary already has all the True Historic plastics as well as the hide glue on the top. Also, the 2019 60th Anniversary model's finish felt much more plasticly than 2011. This was concurred by Kim who sent me a video of them removing the finish form new 2019 Anniversary model. You can clearly see that the finish looks like melted on plastic more than true nitro finish.

 

[guitarscrub]

would love to see that video...

 

[m bernardi]

2011 or just sell it and buy a newer guitar. HM resale is poor compared to years ago.

what he said!!!! Hm resale is poor compared to years ago.

 

[rickruz88]

I have the video he sent me, but I could not figure out how to post the video here. I'll be happy to send it to anyone that wants.