53 to 59 Conversion by Florian Jäger...!!!!!

TheBeautyOfTheBurst · 11-02-2009, 04:13 PM

So I start a new Thread about this guitar....Bad refinished 53 Goldtop with an Headstock brake...It'll be a great Conversion with all Burst Parts...(except the Overpriced Plastic...

)...But I don't know If Florian shut make a Retop or veneer the old top... Lets see what you think about that....

When he makes a retop... the top will be the beautiful Tigerflamed one on the right....

zeppelin101 · 11-02-2009, 05:25 PM

Do you want to? I would say go for it since you know what your doin

TheBeautyOfTheBurst · 11-02-2009, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeppelin101

Do you want to? I would say go for it since you know what your doin

I'm not 100% sure if i shut do a retop.. so I ask the forum what they think about it...

dspelman · 11-03-2009, 12:17 PM

Just retop it and get it over with. Veneer will just piss someone off down the road <G>.

TheBeautyOfTheBurst · 11-03-2009, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dspelman

Just retop it and get it over with. Veneer will just piss someone off down the road <G>.

And who is this "someone"...?...

thatsmistersavanttoyousir · 11-03-2009, 03:56 PM

So, you would consider taking a (for example) '53 Lester with over 50+ year old maple wood on the top and pull off that top and install a maple top with age equal to zero? Rather than cover that ancient wood top with a veneer of negligible thickness?

TheBeautyOfTheBurst · 11-03-2009, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thatsmistersavanttoyousir

So, you would consider taking a (for example) '53 Lester with over 50+ year old maple wood on the top and pull off that top and install a maple top with age equal to zero? Rather than cover that ancient wood top with a veneer of negligible thickness?

That's the question....

I ask the forum befor I have a talk about it with FLorian Jäger...

decoy205 · 11-03-2009, 05:23 PM

If it was my guitar and the the top was in good condition i would either make it a 54 wrap tail or 57 gold top with buckers. Only if the maple was nice and center seamed i would burst it. I see no reason to hack up a perfectly good maple top. Veneers can be very nice but to me its fake and I would always know that its not a real top so it would bug me. Are the P90's original? You have a nice gold top makeover guitar coming with buckers why not make this a wrap tail '54?

Take a good look at that the top and post pics of it after the paint is stripped.

GooCart · 11-03-2009, 06:25 PM

How about the neck angle? If it's to flat I'd definitely would consider a retop. IMHO, a neck reset with the original low top carve isn't so nice.

pinefd · 11-03-2009, 06:32 PM

Are there photos in the OP's post #1 above? If so, I'm not seeing them for some reason.

Frank

MRJ5 · 11-03-2009, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinefd

Are there photos in the OP's post #1 above? If so, I'm not seeing them for some reason.

Frank

Nope no pics ..I was wondering that myself. I would like to see a picture of the original top as well.

Magnus makes a good point. If the neck needed a reset or there were any other issues with the original top, that might sway an opinion for the best solution.

I have yet heard a solid opinion on loss of value using either option.

TheBeautyOfTheBurst · 11-04-2009, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRJ5

Nope no pics ..I was wondering that myself. I would like to see a picture of the original top as well.

Magnus makes a good point. If the neck needed a reset or there were any other issues with the original top, that might sway an opinion for the best solution.

I have yet heard a solid opinion on loss of value using either option.

Sorry Album was Privat... Hope now you see the Pics...

TheBeautyOfTheBurst · 11-04-2009, 10:21 AM

Before I sell them on the bay I try it here.... I sell all parts from this guitar... everything is original except for the tuners and one replaced tone pot... Mail me when somebody wanna buy something....

Hardrock Gunter · 11-04-2009, 11:30 AM

Why do you even want to retop it? It's gorgeous as it is now!

TheBeautyOfTheBurst · 11-04-2009, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hardrock Gunter

Why do you even want to retop it? It's gorgeous as it is now!

Yes i know... but I buyed this guitar to make a conversion instead of building a replica...

patrick ginnaty · 11-04-2009, 11:36 AM

Why doncha just leave it... it's real nice as is.

TheBeautyOfTheBurst · 11-04-2009, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrick ginnaty

Why doncha just leave it... it's real nice as is.

How do you mean that..? don't put humbuckers in it just a p-90 goldtop...?

ryancrossguitars · 11-04-2009, 12:00 PM

leave it original the old wood is where it is at thats that

TheBeautyOfTheBurst · 11-04-2009, 01:14 PM

And what does the MLP says about leave the Original wood and make a Plaintop...?
I post some Plaintop pics...plase post some nice vintage looking plaintops.....

joebonsai · 11-04-2009, 02:25 PM

IMO veneer
this was done by Dave Johnson, and had a thread here too
Vintage Gibson Les Paul 54-1959 Burst Conversion bei eBay.de: Electric (endet 08.11.09 00:27:27 MEZ)

....but just ask Florian!!!

TheBeautyOfTheBurst · 11-04-2009, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joebonsai

IMO veneer
this was done by Dave Johnson, and had a thread here too
Vintage Gibson Les Paul 54-1959 Burst Conversion bei eBay.de: Electric (endet 08.11.09 00:27:27 MEZ)

....but just ask Florian!!!

yes I know this guitar, just great...^^
So I have to talk with florian about that...

TheBeautyOfTheBurst · 11-04-2009, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBeautyOfTheBurst

Before I sell them on the bay I try it here.... I sell all parts from this guitar... everything is original except for the tuners and one replaced tone pot... Mail me when somebody wanna buy something....

I also can trade the parts.... I need a few burst parts... like I sad.... just mail me....

patrick ginnaty · 11-05-2009, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBeautyOfTheBurst

How do you mean that..? don't put humbuckers in it just a p-90 goldtop...?

I like the red color, too.

dwagar · 11-05-2009, 10:10 AM

I don't think I'd even consider removing the old wood, a veneer might get you what you're looking for. I guess you won't really know till it's stripped if you can live with what is there.

joebonsai · 11-06-2009, 07:59 AM

I've had a 52 to 60 Conversion from 2002-2004 the she had to go, but to a famous German studio guitar player and she's in best hands ever and will NEVER leave this man.
IMO keep as much old wood as possible!!
This Conversion had a 5mm thinner top due to a brand

and a very thin neck, like a 60's Burst, but still an enormous tone!! It wasn't made very well, .......there was NO Florian at that time in Germany and due to my good education I do not tell who made it!!
But the guitar sounds absolute beautiful, 60's Pat-pickups, Nashville bridge.....and so on
so keep as much wood as you can !!

Here's a picture of her, sorry not the best and I hope the original owner doesn't mind!!!

TheBeautyOfTheBurst · 11-06-2009, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joebonsai

I've had a 52 to 60 Conversion from 2002-2004 the she had to go, but to a famous German studio guitar player and she's in best hands ever and will NEVER leave this man.
IMO keep as much old wood as possible!!
This Conversion had a 5mm thinner top due to a brand

and a very thin neck, like a 60's Burst, but still an enormous tone!! It wasn't made very well, .......there was NO Florian at that time in Germany and due to my good education I do not tell who made it!!
But the guitar sounds absolute beautiful, 60's Pat-pickups, Nashville bridge.....and so on
so keep as much wood as you can !!

Here's a picture of her, sorry not the best and I hope the original owner doesn't mind!!!

sounds nice......

ThroBak · 11-06-2009, 10:54 PM

Do not retop it or put on a veneer. A plaintop is a great choice. Long term I think a veneer or retop totally kills the value of the guitar. I think a veneer or retop should be reserved for a top which is so messed up that it is the only solution to make the guitar whole again. Otherwise you are taking away in important cosmetic and tonal vintage element.

Personally I think the red looks pretty cool.

Hardrock Gunter · 11-07-2009, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by throbak

personally i think the red looks pretty cool.

+1000

GiorgioV · 11-08-2009, 05:15 PM

I'd go for a solid color. Both retopping and veneering sound like bad ideas to me.

diceman · 11-08-2009, 05:47 PM

I can't imagine doing either - and would never consider doing something that drastic to one of my old wood guitars.

Refinish... not retop or veneer. That is where I would stop.

View Poll Results: Retop or not... That's the Question...
Retop...!!!	21	75.00%
Veneer it...!!!	7	25.00%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 28. You may not vote on this poll

11-02-2009, 04:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
TheBeautyOfTheBurst Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Switzerland Posts: 58 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	53 to 59 Conversion by Florian Jäger...!!!!! So I start a new Thread about this guitar....Bad refinished 53 Goldtop with an Headstock brake...It'll be a great Conversion with all Burst Parts...(except the Overpriced Plastic...)...But I don't know If Florian shut make a Retop or veneer the old top... Lets see what you think about that.... When he makes a retop... the top will be the beautiful Tigerflamed one on the right....

11-02-2009, 05:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
zeppelin101 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Cleveland OH Posts: 1,055 Thanks: 4 Thanked 9 Times in 4 Posts	Re: 53 to 59 Conversion by Florian Jäger...!!!!! Do you want to? I would say go for it since you know what your doin __________________ My vocation is more in composition really than anything else - building up harmonies using the guitar, orchestrating the guitar like an army, a guitar army. Jimmy Page

11-03-2009, 12:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
dspelman Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 1,043 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 53 to 59 Conversion by Florian Jäger...!!!!! Just retop it and get it over with. Veneer will just piss someone off down the road <G>.

11-03-2009, 03:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
thatsmistersavanttoyousir Banned Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Alaska Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 53 to 59 Conversion by Florian Jäger...!!!!! So, you would consider taking a (for example) '53 Lester with over 50+ year old maple wood on the top and pull off that top and install a maple top with age equal to zero? Rather than cover that ancient wood top with a veneer of negligible thickness?

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11-03-2009, 05:23 PM	#8 (permalink)
decoy205 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Brooklyn NY Posts: 3,188 Thanks: 98 Thanked 35 Times in 13 Posts	Re: 53 to 59 Conversion by Florian Jäger...!!!!! If it was my guitar and the the top was in good condition i would either make it a 54 wrap tail or 57 gold top with buckers. Only if the maple was nice and center seamed i would burst it. I see no reason to hack up a perfectly good maple top. Veneers can be very nice but to me its fake and I would always know that its not a real top so it would bug me. Are the P90's original? You have a nice gold top makeover guitar coming with buckers why not make this a wrap tail '54? Take a good look at that the top and post pics of it after the paint is stripped. __________________ Last edited by decoy205; 11-03-2009 at 11:51 PM.

11-03-2009, 06:25 PM	#9 (permalink)
GooCart Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Umeå, Sweden Posts: 878 Thanks: 3 Thanked 26 Times in 5 Posts	Re: 53 to 59 Conversion by Florian Jäger...!!!!! How about the neck angle? If it's to flat I'd definitely would consider a retop. IMHO, a neck reset with the original low top carve isn't so nice. __________________ Magnus Melkersson, Sweden

11-03-2009, 06:32 PM	#10 (permalink)
pinefd V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,642 Thanks: 14 Thanked 109 Times in 21 Posts	Re: 53 to 59 Conversion by Florian Jäger...!!!!! Are there photos in the OP's post #1 above? If so, I'm not seeing them for some reason. Frank __________________ Check out my website at: www.lesstallguitars.com And check out some of my personal gear at: Historic Les Paul Database

11-04-2009, 10:21 AM	#13 (permalink)
TheBeautyOfTheBurst Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Switzerland Posts: 58 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Re: 53 to 59 Conversion by Florian Jäger...!!!!! Before I sell them on the bay I try it here.... I sell all parts from this guitar... everything is original except for the tuners and one replaced tone pot... Mail me when somebody wanna buy something....

11-04-2009, 11:30 AM	#14 (permalink)
Hardrock Gunter Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Germany Posts: 44 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 53 to 59 Conversion by Florian Jäger...!!!!! Why do you even want to retop it? It's gorgeous as it is now!

11-04-2009, 11:36 AM	#16 (permalink)
patrick ginnaty Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bremen, Maine Posts: 549 Thanks: 10 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Re: 53 to 59 Conversion by Florian Jäger...!!!!! Why doncha just leave it... it's real nice as is. __________________ Being loved gives you strength, loving someone gives you courage.

11-04-2009, 12:00 PM	#18 (permalink)
ryancrossguitars Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: nyc Posts: 231 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 53 to 59 Conversion by Florian Jäger...!!!!! leave it original the old wood is where it is at thats that

11-04-2009, 01:14 PM	#19 (permalink)
TheBeautyOfTheBurst Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Switzerland Posts: 58 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Re: 53 to 59 Conversion by Florian Jäger...!!!!! And what does the MLP says about leave the Original wood and make a Plaintop...? I post some Plaintop pics...plase post some nice vintage looking plaintops.....

11-04-2009, 02:25 PM	#20 (permalink)
joebonsai Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Duesseldorf/Germany Posts: 392 Thanks: 0 Thanked 10 Times in 6 Posts	Re: 53 to 59 Conversion by Florian Jäger...!!!!! IMO veneer this was done by Dave Johnson, and had a thread here too Vintage Gibson Les Paul 54-1959 Burst Conversion bei eBay.de: Electric (endet 08.11.09 00:27:27 MEZ) ....but just ask Florian!!!

11-05-2009, 10:10 AM	#24 (permalink)
dwagar V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: C eh? N eh? D eh? Posts: 4,961 Thanks: 28 Thanked 51 Times in 9 Posts	Re: 53 to 59 Conversion by Florian Jäger...!!!!! I don't think I'd even consider removing the old wood, a veneer might get you what you're looking for. I guess you won't really know till it's stripped if you can live with what is there. __________________ ------------ Don my favorite toys (one wants to be a '59, the other is a '59):

11-06-2009, 10:54 PM	#27 (permalink)
ThroBak Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 157 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 53 to 59 Conversion by Florian Jäger...!!!!! Do not retop it or put on a veneer. A plaintop is a great choice. Long term I think a veneer or retop totally kills the value of the guitar. I think a veneer or retop should be reserved for a top which is so messed up that it is the only solution to make the guitar whole again. Otherwise you are taking away in important cosmetic and tonal vintage element. Personally I think the red looks pretty cool. __________________ "We'll provide the sound. You'll provide the signature." www.throbak.com

11-08-2009, 05:15 PM	#29 (permalink)
GiorgioV Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 53 to 59 Conversion by Florian Jäger...!!!!! I'd go for a solid color. Both retopping and veneering sound like bad ideas to me.

11-08-2009, 05:47 PM	#30 (permalink)
diceman V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 16,330 Thanks: 308 Thanked 91 Times in 32 Posts	Re: 53 to 59 Conversion by Florian Jäger...!!!!! I can't imagine doing either - and would never consider doing something that drastic to one of my old wood guitars. Refinish... not retop or veneer. That is where I would stop. __________________ My Band: www.comeupswingingmusic.com or www.myspace.com/comeupswinging

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