GIBSON RE-FINISH QUESTION/opinions

[RETROROD]

Hey folks, I have a Late 40's LG3 or possibly LG2 that had been stripped of its original finish long before I acquired it. I am not sure of what it was refinished with, but they did not use any grain filler prior to applying the finish. If I wanted to have the guitar refinished properly,would it have to be stripped again before using grain filler? I am trying to weigh out future value of the guitar. A re-fin is a re-fin but the difference between a good one and a poor one may make a difference in value? What is a ball park figure for having it done right in todays market? I have had the face of the peghead re-fined with script and banner logos. Looks nice!

Any thoughts on that? Thanks, Rod

[Tim Mace]

I'm so inexperienced I ought to stay out of this but.....since it's been previously r/f'd. I'd leave the top alone and tackle sd/bk/neck execept for face plate down to the wood sand well. Get a can of Behlen's Rockhard tabletop varnish and hand brush it unless you want a flatter appearance.I don't spray and really don't want to.French polish would be nice too!

[Ned Knepp]

Hi Rod,
I'm an amateur so you can take my response with a grain of salt. You didn't indicate how old you think the refinish job is and I think this may be important. If it is older, I think I would think twice about refinishing it again. Judging from you pictures, the finish looks pretty good to me other than the unfilled grain. If this were my guitar, I would be hesitant to do anything unless the finish was actually bad in some other way. Finishing over the existing surface may make the finish too thick and I am not too sure that stripping it again wouldn't do more harm to the value than good. If the guitar plays well and sounds good, I might just keep it as it is.

BTW, I love these small Gibsons. I had one for years and still regret letting it go.

[William F.Eden]

Well Rob if it has Mahogany sides and back and you intend to sand it down. I can tell you that they were not very thick.In my expereance. If it has been sanded down once you would be luck if there is enoff wood left to sand it again and you can still fill the grain the way it is anyway Good luck Bill."""""""""'

[RETROROD]

Thanks guys, you address most of issues that I feel about refin. Less wood mass to sand down and it don,t look too bad now. Yes, it is an old re-fin and the bindings have started yellowing again. It is LIGHT and TIGHT! This baby weighs in at less than 4-1/2 lbs and I really can,t justify messing with the tone and vibe with another re-fin!....Jes Sayin'....