Hatted Frau scores an Aristocrap.

Darryl Hattenhauer · Oct 18, 2014

It's a 1957 aristocrat husk--no parts on it. Some Gibsonmonger painted the back and sides black and installed Gibson pups. When I get enough $Ameros, I'm going to restore it with correct parts and have it refinished. What do you think about putting a goldtop on it? Some Aristocrats (and maybe Freshpersons, for all I know) came with an original goldtop, so it would be correct.

The guitar hasn't arrived yet. I hope I'm not jinxing the deal by posting about it before it arrives.

Comments, opinions, advice?

Hatted Frau/Fatted Cow

Walter Broes · Oct 18, 2014

congratulations!

I'd see how it plays and sounds when you get it. Maybe it'll be just fine the way it is, who knows?

Darryl Hattenhauer · Oct 18, 2014

I've seen pics of it, Walter. It's a mess, although it was just refretted and the inlays restored, so I won't have any fondleboard problems.

twocorgis · Oct 18, 2014

Best of luck with the project Hat. Sounds like you have your work cut out for you!

chazmo · Oct 18, 2014

twocorgis said:
Best of luck with the project Hat. Sounds like you have you work cut out for you!

Ditto. Yup, good luck, Darryl.

walrus · Oct 18, 2014

Congratulations - sounds like a fun project! I think a gold top would be cool, if you are refinishing it anyway, why not?

walrus

Darryl Hattenhauer · Oct 18, 2014

Wally,

Normally I'm opposed to refinishing, especially if the problem is only wear. But not only the overcoat of black but also the original ice tea burst are worn away, so this thing looks terrible--black, ice tea, and wood showing.

With a gold top, I think the back and sides would look best with that transparent red that Guild often put on mahogany--usually on startfires but also on some Aristocrats.

HF the Aristocat

walrus · Oct 18, 2014

I think that would look great!

walrus

Darryl Hattenhauer · Oct 18, 2014

Almost as fine as Coastie in a bikini.

Jeff_L · Oct 18, 2014

Darryl Hattenhauer said:
Almost as fine as Coastie in a bikini.

Now there's a picture I didn't need to see!

Darryl, if you're going to have it professionally refinished, and it was an iced-tea sunburst to begin with, how about doing the burst over? It would be authentic and original-restored.

Jeff

Darryl Hattenhauer · Oct 18, 2014

Jeff,

I forgot to mention that the pup holes are routed, so they have to be restored to original size by putting in pieces of wood, and I don't want that to show.

Anyway, it will be years before I have the $Ameros to do it.

jcwu · Oct 18, 2014

Darryl Hattenhauer said:
But not only the overcoat of black but also the original ice tea burst are worn away, so this thing looks terrible--black, ice tea, and wood showing.

Was that a Fender relic job? Cuz they actually do that on purpose, you know. Exposing the underlayer of color, to show that the guitar was "originally a sunburst and then painted over, wow the history!!"

SFIV1967 · Oct 18, 2014

Yes, goldtop sounds like an excellent idea with those necessary reapirs! But I wouldn't use Cherry with gold, use the original brown for the neck and back.
Walter had posted those pictures of a 50's one before:

Ralf

Darryl Hattenhauer · Oct 18, 2014

JCUW,

LOL. I too am no fan of reliced guitars. I will leave mine as an obvious refin--new finish, old parts. Maybe I'll call it Cher.

Ralf,

Vielen dank for that pic, mein herr. I hadn't seen that one before. Ich mochte ein goldtop.

dh

jcwu · Oct 18, 2014

I think you'll enjoy this:

Darryl Hattenhauer · Oct 18, 2014

Now all it needs is all non-Fender parts.

Jeff_L · Oct 18, 2014

Darryl Hattenhauer said:
Jeff,

I forgot to mention that the pup holes are routed, so they have to be restored to original size by putting in pieces of wood, and I don't want that to show.

Ah, that makes sense.

Jeff_L · Oct 18, 2014

jcwu said:
I think you'll enjoy this:

Man, I look at those "relic-ed" guitars in stores and shake my head. Who would pay money for something like that, and why? You can't buy mojo, it has to be earned!

SFIV1967 · Oct 20, 2014

60's Olympic White over 3 Tone Sunburst, it would be interesting to see such an original Stat. It's amazing to me that people pay so much money for the heavy relic custom shop version.
Ralf

adorshki · Oct 20, 2014

Jeff_L said:
Man, I look at those "relic-ed" guitars in stores and shake my head. Who would pay money for something like that, and why? You can't buy mojo, it has to be earned!

"Can't buy me M-o-o-h--jo!
Can't buy me M-o-o-h--jo!
Can't buy me M-o-o-h--jo!
I'll give you a pick-up ring my friend, if it'll keep you satisfied.
It's still got all the dings my friend,
And it once was anodized,
And all the re-sprayed paint is runny,
but runny ain't what I love."

Hatted Frau scores an Aristocrap.

Venerated Member

Enlightened Member

Venerated Member

Venerated Member

Super Moderator

Reverential Member

Venerated Member

Reverential Member

Venerated Member

Member

Venerated Member

Senior Member

Venerated Member

Venerated Member

Senior Member

Venerated Member

Member

Member

Venerated Member

Reverential Member