Should I stay or should I go? (0 7437 content)

[sweiger]

I recently acquired this lovely 1960 Burst (https://www.lespaulforum.com/index.php?threads/burst-pic-of-the-week-0-7437-another-late-60-to-add-to-the-list.179546/page-2 post#38)
The top has these 4 not so flattering holes from an unknown device, (most likely some vibrato), installed decades ago.

So: I am in two minds (at least ) whether I should have the holes fixed by my expert luthier, or leave them as is because the holes, however disfiguring they may seem, are part of the guitar's history.
What do you guys think would be the best option?

 

[irishbog]

I would leave it as is.

Now myself. I have a 57 TV Model with an incredibly ugly neck repair.
A part of me kinda wants to keep it as is but I really should get it touched

 

[jb_abides]

“Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.”

Leave the holes, touch up the neck.

 

[Drayve85]

Honestly! In the first pic, I didn’t even notice the holes.

 

[Frutiger]

Congratulations! That's James Stephenson's old Burst isn't it?

 

[thin sissy]

If I was you, I'd think to myself "I'll find the right luthier for the job and get those fixed sometime in the future".

And then I would never get around to it

So, I think you can leave it as it is. From a distance it's not that obvious. Whatever you decide, keep us posted.

 

[sweiger]

Congratulations! That's James Stephenson's old Burst isn't it?

Thanks.
Yes it is, sold via NoTom Guitars in London, for a considerable, but fair amount of ££

Irishbog: That neck repair I would definitely have someone to touch up.

 

[charliechitlins]

Of course, you should leave them alone.
I'd probably have them fixed...knowing all the time I should leave them alone.

 

[programmer]

I had a similar issue with holes after a Bigsby on my 1964 ES-335. In the end I decided to leave them but I did use a crayon to fill the holes without touching the finish. They don't stand out as much that way and the filling can easily be reversed.

 

[seafood]

since you asked........Let it be........

 

[poor man's burst]

So: I am in two minds (at least ) whether I should have the holes fixed by my expert luthier, or leave them as is because the holes, however disfiguring they may seem, are part of the guitar's history.

If you have the holes fixed by your luthier, it will also be part of the guitar's history.

 

[Arnold M.]

I am a mere commoner so of course my opinion means nothing ... but .. they can make those four holes actually disappear from view entirely ? that can exactly match the sheen and gorgeous reds on that top which took decades to mellow into that exact gorgeous shade of red ? they can make it look 100% like the holes were never there ? The holes already existed when you purchased the guitar so I assume they will not further detract from value ? be it ever so humble, my opinion is A) I think you are messing with history and B) I think you may be opening a huge can of worms which you may/may not later regret. Of course if you are dealing with craftspeople who could restore the Mona Lisa after someone took a blow torch to it by all means proceed. Maybe I'm just a big chicken, but if it were mine ... alas, I am not brave enough to take the plunge. Good Luck.

 

[Trainkeptarolling]

How does it sound? Does it stay in tune? Leave it alone!

 

[corpse]

Leave the holes.
If I had the TV with the break (unrepaired) I would go the whole enchilada and get it fixed.
But as it has been repaired leave it. Trying to blend a TV finish could do more harm.

 

[britbender]

I would fix the holes, a good tech can make them almost invisible...once you start to
notice you can't un-notice.
Had it been bigsby holes, at least you could put one on

 

[sweiger]

I would fix the holes, a good tech can make them almost invisible...once you start to
notice you can't un-notice.
Had it been bigsby holes, at least you could put one on

Other than the 4 holes in question, the guitar also sports the typical holes from a Bigsby. These holes are filled with some substance.
But I'm not a fan of Bigsby on Les Pauls..

EDIT: the "typical holes from a Bigsby" are not from a Bigsby. They are not filled holes, only dents/marks from whatever device was once fitted to it.

 

[rockabilly69]

If you love the guitar, fix them, why look at something that's going to bother you? They would drive me nuts. Just make sure you go to a pro to get the job done right and you should be fine. I seriously doubt it would make the guitar worth any less money. Just document what you did to it.

 

[sweiger]

If you love the guitar, fix them, why look at something that's going to bother you? They would drive me nuts. Just make sure you go to a pro to get the job done right and you should be fine. I seriously doubt it would make the guitar worth any less money. Just document what you did to it.

If I decide to get the holes fixed, I'll go to the best luthier in my country that's for sure. But the more I look at the holes, the more it is like they 're trying to tell me they have a right to be there, because they have been there for so many decades now..
This sounds like the perfect case for a psychoanalyst I know

 

[sws1]

I'd leave them. To do it correctly, likely someone will need to overspray the top to make it blend. A hole is a hole, but overspray and concealment may suggest something nefarious to a future owner.

 

[krankykarl]

Creative inlay?