Calling the Guitar Guys

[Funyuns101]

Alright, so basically I'm looking to upgrade to a decent acoustic/electric guitar.

I know basically everything that i'm looking for except one:

some guitars come in a glossy-top finish while others are more of a varnish/satin finish (seen on many Taylors and Martins).

is it possible to get the glossy finish done afterwards for relatively cheap?

thanks in advance.


just in case someone cares; my ideal:
$<1000; dreadnought, sunburst, cut-away, fishman pickup...
solid top; hopefully solid backs & sides as well (hard to come by at this price range)
good sound is a must

 

[Funyuns101]

bump

 

[imported_Imp]

Not that knowledgable on finishes, but this is something you'd probably want a luthier to do. Google guitar finish and you'll find a lot on what needs to be done (i.e. 'melting' old finish, applying new ones since some types can't be mixed).

 

[phantom309]

For relatively cheap? No.

 

[Scarpozzi]

What you buy is what you get....for the most part. For the top, you need to really pay attention to how the guitar is made.

Just make sure it has a solid top. I recommend looking for a solid spruce top, but that's just because I like their sound. For the gloss, etc....you won't be able to get a guitar refinished for cheap. Anything you would have done would be custom, so you'd be paying an expert and they would bill you accordingly.

 

[Funyuns101]

yes, i have a solid top guitar now, but i want some electronics on my next one.
preferably solid back & sides ... rosewood would be nice, but out of my price range

thanks for the replies~

 

[Fritzo]

Unless expertly done, refinishing a high end guitar is going to kill it's sound. One of the reasons those nice finishes are so expensive is they can put up to 30 coats to get the color. That's a lot of work.

What you're asking isn't really practical. I'd either get a 12 months same as cash Musician's Friend card and get what you want, or save your money.

 

[msi1337]

I definetly prefer the sound of a guitar with a satin finish.. I know it depends a lot on the guitar...but the D-28 I used to play a lot had a magical tone... if you stay with Taylor or Martin you are going to have a hard time getting a bad guitar

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: Fritzo
Unless expertly done, refinishing a high end guitar is going to kill it's sound. One of the reasons those nice finishes are so expensive is they can put up to 30 coats to get the color. That's a lot of work.

What you're asking isn't really practical. I'd either get a 12 months same as cash Musician's Friend card and get what you want, or save your money.

Especially if done by a hack.
I once restored a Les Paul Jr. that had been "re-finished" by someone whose idea was to dip the entire body in paint so thick it was still wet , even though it had been in a case for years.

I stripped it and then simply finished it with a very thin clear coat.

It's amazing what taking a pound or so of pigment off will do for a guitar's attitude.