I aged my Les Paul so can you!!!!

nicolasrivera · 12-15-2008, 04:47 PM

Hello, I'm one of does guys that cant live with shiny new metal parts and plastics on my guitars and as much as i resisted doing this to my first les paul i finally grab my balls and did this Sunday project.

I did a lot of research in this forum to find the best looking aged hardware images and use that as a reference.

The aging process is very simple and any body can do it, i did it i 4 hours this last Sunday and it was a lot of fun because I'm totally in love how this turn out, now i have this baby all aged and with my original bumblebee and other 50's parts install it's sounding amazing. Can't ask for anything more.

Its funny how easy it is to age metal and a lot's people are asking stupid amounts of money for something that's just $8.00 in supplies to make and 4 hours of work time, and mostly just waiting for the parts to age.

If any body has an interest on learning how i do it, please post your intentions here and I'll do a simple tutorial and how to do this.

Nicolas.

nicolasrivera · 12-15-2008, 04:50 PM

This is the plastic and hardware before my aging technique was applied.

Nicolas.

Toften · 12-15-2008, 04:50 PM

I wanna learn!

I may do it with my own LP, if it's not to hard..

nicolasrivera · 12-15-2008, 04:52 PM

Here is a bigger resolution link.

Boleskinehouse · 12-15-2008, 04:54 PM

Where's AXE with the prerequisite "bloody hell" pic?!?

moff40 · 12-15-2008, 05:07 PM

It'd be cool to learn it...

LPV · 12-15-2008, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boleskinehouse

Where's AXE with the prerequisite "bloody hell" pic?!?

Boleskinehouse · 12-15-2008, 05:09 PM

Kitteh is not amused.

JoelmBenge · 12-15-2008, 05:19 PM

I'd do this just for the grins. The hardware on my '89 st'd is chewed to hell from the previous owner. I'm planning to replace it anyhow.

I guess the decision you need to make is, "does my guitar look like old crap to begin with and can I make 'er look new again?" If not, I guess this is another option to getting "that look".

diceman · 12-15-2008, 05:22 PM

Look good - nice work!

Last · 12-15-2008, 05:35 PM

Hey!

I think he did a bang up job!

Have you done this before?

The_Sentry · 12-15-2008, 05:46 PM

Hahaha.....Before sending my '80 to the shop, I went out of my way to CLEAN UP all of the aged metal so it would look new!!!

nicolasrivera · 12-15-2008, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_sentry

hahaha.....before sending my '80 to the shop, i went out of my way to clean up all of the aged metal so it would look new!!!

hahahahaha

nicolasrivera · 12-15-2008, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diceman

Look good - nice work!

Thanks Diceman

nicolasrivera · 12-15-2008, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Last

Hey!

I think he did a bang up job!

Have you done this before?

Yes, 5 strat's and a tele.

Guido · 12-15-2008, 05:58 PM

But people dont pay a lot of money for metal parts aged- the VOS finish already does that

People pay a lot of money for guitars that are made to the last detail to look like a 50 year old banged up guitar.

Guido · 12-15-2008, 06:00 PM

BTW- You did a nice job, welcome!

nicolasrivera · 12-15-2008, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guido

But people dont pay a lot of money for metal parts aged- the VOS finish already does that

People pay a lot of money for guitars that are made to the last detail to look like a 50 year old banged up guitar.

Yes, but this is for those of use that can't afford as VOS, i'm not that lucky$$$$

But i have seen some covers go for 200 to 400 EUROS

WTF??? this is crazy!!!

If i had to do a relic job for some one on metals i'll charge no more then $50 for ALL the hardware is they send them to me, but i'm far away and almost no budy has a Les Paul here.

nicolasrivera · 12-15-2008, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guido

BTW- You did a nice job, welcome!

Thanks Guido and this a very nice forum, one of the best i my say.

backline · 12-15-2008, 06:15 PM

I like the old lacquer checking and patina I had on an old L5, and my '88 (used) Heritage H-140.

Somebody said Fender uses Freon spray to crack their finishes on Custom Shop stuff?

I just saw a TERRIBLE "Murphy" black LP Custom brand new, but he made finish cracks with a razor blade: THEN they got polish residue in all those cracks! Looked horrible!

I have aged metal parts with Caustic soda I got at work, but it's nothing to mess around with if you don't know about metal etching. Chemical burns on skin is no fun at all.

dwagar · 12-15-2008, 06:36 PM

what 50s parts did you install?

loverockkid · 12-15-2008, 06:40 PM

Man that looks great! Nice work.

nicolasrivera · 12-15-2008, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwagar

what 50s parts did you install?

In the bumblebee thread i posted yesterday there was a bb but there where other capacitors and resistors that i used to do a treble bleed for each pickup, and it sounds just as amazing as the bb.

There is a lot of old cloth wire too, but i will not install it just yet because i do not know if old LP's used cloth wire as fender used.

guitar_randy · 12-15-2008, 06:43 PM

LOL

nicolasrivera · 12-15-2008, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loverockkid

Man that looks great! Nice work.

Thanks Loverockkid.

VastHorizon · 12-15-2008, 06:47 PM

Spill the beans... How did ya do it?

TrinityFive · 12-15-2008, 06:51 PM

Can't understand why you'd want to make it look old, when it's never going to sound old. Why is it that 50's Gibsons are so worshipped whereas a modern Gibson is just as legitimate.

Yes, I give you the fact that some may sound better in some instances, but you will get great sounding 2008s.

Sometimes I wonder if it's a huge marketing plan thought up by the suits so they can sell more guitars, VOS going at higher prices, Customs and Signature models.......

nicolasrivera · 12-15-2008, 06:58 PM

What i sued is:

1.Your typical scoth brite.
2.Water based sanding paper of 400 and 600 grit.
3.A lot of old keys in a keychain, about 30 keys will do.

4.muriatic acid, which sounds terrible but it is used for cleaning floors and tiles and its inexpensive and its in every supermarket or hardware store. Use gloves with it.
5.Qtips, about 5 will do for 1 guitar.

All of this has to be done outside and preferable with sunlight as it speeds up the process, but col;d weather will do too.

And wear cloth that you do not care about, this is VERY IMPORTANT.

I'll take photos of the process, its very easy.

Nico.

nicolasrivera · 12-15-2008, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrinityFive

Can't understand why you'd want to make it look old, when it's never going to sound old. Why is it that 50's Gibsons are so worshipped whereas a modern Gibson is just as legitimate.

Yes, I give you the fact that some may sound better in some instances, but you will get great sounding 2008s.

Sometimes I wonder if it's a huge marketing plan thought up by the suits so they can sell more guitars, VOS going at higher prices, Customs and Signature models.......

Well, this is something of a personal preference, the only guitar i haven't done any aging to is my custom 24 PRS, the PRS brand just doesn't look good aged.

About the sound, i really haven't study enough the sound of the original PAF and i have to develop an hear for that as i have with strats and teles. But i do know what i want my les paul to sound like in my head for my music, i want it to be versatile, not just old sounding. With the mod i did with it (this will be another thread) i have achieve great HB sounds and single coil strati sounds too so i don't have to change too much guitars on gigs.

Nico.

martin6string · 12-15-2008, 07:13 PM

Looks good. Nice work.

12-15-2008, 04:50 PM	#3 (permalink)
Toften Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Norway, Rogaland, Randaberg Posts: 197 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Re: I aged my Les Paul so can you!!!! I wanna learn! I may do it with my own LP, if it's not to hard.. __________________ "When you open up a piano, you see freedom. Nobody can play the white keys and don't play the black keys. You got to mix all these keys together to make harmony. And that's what the whole world needs: Harmony." Champion Jack Dupree

12-15-2008, 04:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
nicolasrivera Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 994 Thanks: 53 Thanked 63 Times in 16 Posts	Re: I aged my Les Paul so can you!!!! Here is a bigger resolution link.

12-15-2008, 04:54 PM	#5 (permalink)
Boleskinehouse V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Next to Raleighwood Posts: 17,720 Thanks: 63 Thanked 506 Times in 90 Posts	Re: I aged my Les Paul so can you!!!! Where's AXE with the prerequisite "bloody hell" pic?!? __________________

12-15-2008, 05:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
moff40 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vancouver Island, Canada Posts: 1,738 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Re: I aged my Les Paul so can you!!!! It'd be cool to learn it... __________________ '08 Gibson LP Traditional Plus '05 Gibson LP Faded DC '96 Gibson LP Custom '80 Gibson LP Deluxe '77 Gibson LP Deluxe '74 Gibson LP Deluxe '78 Fender Telecaster '92 Fender Stratocaster '06 Line6 Variax 500 '99 Raven electric 12-string '86 Yamaha APX-6L '88 Lado Medallion bass '78 Fender Jazz Bass

12-15-2008, 05:09 PM	#8 (permalink)
Boleskinehouse V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Next to Raleighwood Posts: 17,720 Thanks: 63 Thanked 506 Times in 90 Posts	Re: I aged my Les Paul so can you!!!! Kitteh is not amused. __________________

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12-15-2008, 05:19 PM	#9 (permalink)
JoelmBenge Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 291 Thanks: 5 Thanked 6 Times in 1 Post	Re: I aged my Les Paul so can you!!!! I'd do this just for the grins. The hardware on my '89 st'd is chewed to hell from the previous owner. I'm planning to replace it anyhow. I guess the decision you need to make is, "does my guitar look like old crap to begin with and can I make 'er look new again?" If not, I guess this is another option to getting "that look". __________________ Guitar: Honeyburst '89 Epi LP Std Plus Top Amp: This little Piggynose went Weeee Weee WEEEE! http://thinkinganddriving.com

12-15-2008, 05:22 PM	#10 (permalink)
diceman V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 16,293 Thanks: 307 Thanked 89 Times in 32 Posts	Re: I aged my Les Paul so can you!!!! Look good - nice work! __________________ My Band: www.comeupswingingmusic.com or www.myspace.com/comeupswinging

12-15-2008, 05:35 PM	#11 (permalink)
Last Master Crafter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: St. Louis, MO. USA Posts: 3,463 Thanks: 172 Thanked 50 Times in 26 Posts	Re: I aged my Les Paul so can you!!!! Hey! I think he did a bang up job! Have you done this before?

12-15-2008, 05:46 PM	#12 (permalink)
The_Sentry Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 17,230 Thanks: 448 Thanked 497 Times in 107 Posts	Re: I aged my Les Paul so can you!!!! Hahaha.....Before sending my '80 to the shop, I went out of my way to CLEAN UP all of the aged metal so it would look new!!! __________________ The Geartalk Video Blog

12-15-2008, 05:58 PM	#16 (permalink)
Guido The Gweeeed Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina Posts: 7,279 Thanks: 40 Thanked 39 Times in 21 Posts	Re: I aged my Les Paul so can you!!!! But people dont pay a lot of money for metal parts aged- the VOS finish already does that People pay a lot of money for guitars that are made to the last detail to look like a 50 year old banged up guitar. __________________ Gweed

12-15-2008, 06:00 PM	#17 (permalink)
Guido The Gweeeed Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina Posts: 7,279 Thanks: 40 Thanked 39 Times in 21 Posts	Re: I aged my Les Paul so can you!!!! BTW- You did a nice job, welcome! __________________ Gweed

12-15-2008, 06:15 PM	#20 (permalink)
backline Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 434 Thanks: 14 Thanked 3 Times in 1 Post	Re: I aged my Les Paul so can you!!!! I like the old lacquer checking and patina I had on an old L5, and my '88 (used) Heritage H-140. Somebody said Fender uses Freon spray to crack their finishes on Custom Shop stuff? I just saw a TERRIBLE "Murphy" black LP Custom brand new, but he made finish cracks with a razor blade: THEN they got polish residue in all those cracks! Looked horrible! I have aged metal parts with Caustic soda I got at work, but it's nothing to mess around with if you don't know about metal etching. Chemical burns on skin is no fun at all.

12-15-2008, 06:36 PM	#21 (permalink)
dwagar V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: C eh? N eh? D eh? Posts: 4,960 Thanks: 28 Thanked 51 Times in 9 Posts	Re: I aged my Les Paul so can you!!!! what 50s parts did you install? __________________ ------------ Don my favorite toys (one wants to be a '59, the other is a '59):

12-15-2008, 06:40 PM	#22 (permalink)
loverockkid Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Margate,Florida Posts: 1,069 Thanks: 50 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: I aged my Les Paul so can you!!!! Man that looks great! Nice work. __________________ "The answer is blowin in the wind"

12-15-2008, 06:43 PM	#24 (permalink)
guitar_randy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 740 Thanks: 17 Thanked 11 Times in 4 Posts	Re: I aged my Les Paul so can you!!!! LOL

12-15-2008, 06:47 PM	#26 (permalink)
VastHorizon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 4,771 Thanks: 31 Thanked 95 Times in 22 Posts	Re: I aged my Les Paul so can you!!!! Spill the beans... How did ya do it?

12-15-2008, 06:51 PM	#27 (permalink)
TrinityFive Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ripponden, Yorkshire, UK Posts: 405 Thanks: 0 Thanked 10 Times in 6 Posts	Re: I aged my Les Paul so can you!!!! Can't understand why you'd want to make it look old, when it's never going to sound old. Why is it that 50's Gibsons are so worshipped whereas a modern Gibson is just as legitimate. Yes, I give you the fact that some may sound better in some instances, but you will get great sounding 2008s. Sometimes I wonder if it's a huge marketing plan thought up by the suits so they can sell more guitars, VOS going at higher prices, Customs and Signature models....... __________________

12-15-2008, 06:58 PM	#28 (permalink)
nicolasrivera Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 994 Thanks: 53 Thanked 63 Times in 16 Posts	Re: I aged my Les Paul so can you!!!! What i sued is: 1.Your typical scoth brite. 2.Water based sanding paper of 400 and 600 grit. 3.A lot of old keys in a keychain, about 30 keys will do. 4.muriatic acid, which sounds terrible but it is used for cleaning floors and tiles and its inexpensive and its in every supermarket or hardware store. Use gloves with it. 5.Qtips, about 5 will do for 1 guitar. All of this has to be done outside and preferable with sunlight as it speeds up the process, but col;d weather will do too. And wear cloth that you do not care about, this is VERY IMPORTANT. I'll take photos of the process, its very easy. Nico.

12-15-2008, 07:13 PM	#30 (permalink)
martin6string V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Vulture Squadron Headquarters Posts: 834 Thanks: 4 Thanked 12 Times in 6 Posts	Re: I aged my Les Paul so can you!!!! Looks good. Nice work. __________________ Matt ___________________________________ Gibson R8 Les Paul Gibson R7 Les Paul GMW SuperStrat Taylor Acoustic Marshall JCM900 w/ 1960 Vintage Cab St. Judes Childrens Hospital

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