Who offers the best finishing services?

peach64 · 10-14-2009, 11:52 AM

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you guys who replied to my previous posts of Bad News For 2010, and Justification of the Value of 1959 Historic Reissues. With the information you guys have given me, I think the most prudent way of approaching will be building a few replicas up to a certain point, then hand them off to be fretted, have neck with tortoise shell dot binding, then get 100% nitro finish. Unfortunately Dave Johnson is no longer accepting new work. BTW, I sent him 4 old growth sets of mahogany 2 years ago, but he couldn't get it done. But I didn't know who he was until I saw his address on his website. Anyway, I'm looking at RS Guitarworks, and what about Lays Guitar Shop? Anybody have experience with them too? Is there anyone else you guys could recomend?

Thanks,

Peach

Big John · 10-14-2009, 12:24 PM

Florian Jaeger (Germany) and Gord Miller (Canada) both do good nitro finishes.

decoy205 · 10-14-2009, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big john

florian jaeger (germany) and gord miller (canada) both do good nitro finishes.

+1

peach64 · 10-14-2009, 12:40 PM

Thanks for the heads up. I checked out Gord Miller, his work looks fantastic.

Thank you guys

cryptozoo · 10-14-2009, 01:12 PM

RS is great -- I've got an Old Friend guitar and the finish / aging on it is as realistic as I've owned. Beats Murphy by a good bit.

peach64 · 10-14-2009, 01:25 PM

Thanks Crypto,

Since I'm building a few 5-10, there is plenty of work to go around to a few guys. I totally forgot about Tom. I like his work too. I've got to buy some hide glue and clamps now.

Crypto have you gone on Youtube and checked out the Nephilim?

TM1 · 10-14-2009, 01:44 PM

As well, Dave Johnson, Terry Muller and Lays. All of these guys are Masters!

GooCart · 10-15-2009, 01:46 AM

Tom Bartlett refin my '98 R8 and I couldn't be more happy with the result. I gave him free hands with it and he game me the whole enchilada, real aniline dye and vintage correct grain filler. It's also very realistic aged, the guitar feel like a vintage Gibson now, the tone is brighter and the neck is smoother.

V!N · 10-15-2009, 03:33 AM

Tom Bartlett at work

A fine guitar build by our forum brother Scott "Ex-Nihilo" Wilkinson.
Sprayed to match 9 0901 (page 70 in Beauty of the Burst)
Click here to read the build thread.

V!N · 10-15-2009, 03:41 AM

What I really like about Tom Bartlett and Florian Jäger is that they go all the way.
To me, there's no point in having a a completely aged guitar with brand spanking
new inlays. Here are some examples of their work, compared to a new one.

Tom Bartlett

Click here to read all about this guitar that Tom build, finished
and refinished for our forumbrother myspace.com/jessenoah.

Florian Jäger

The heavy aged stuff. A bit too much
for my taste but less drastic is available.

HM

From one of the fine guitars from Frank's collection.

peach64 · 10-15-2009, 05:57 AM

thanks for the pics. Yeah, spoke with Tom yesterday, and will hopefully be sending him a few guits by end of this year.

Peach

TheDude · 10-15-2009, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big John

Florian Jaeger (Germany) and Gord Miller (Canada) both do good nitro finishes.

Gord Miller the hockey announcer?

Jessenoah · 10-16-2009, 01:07 PM

more tom, you might recognize this guitar from a few pictures northward

alk-3 · 10-16-2009, 01:19 PM

Wow, those pictures turned out pretty good for being taken with my cellphone!
Glad you like it Jesse!

V!N · 10-16-2009, 01:27 PM

Dude... Wait, what ?

I didn't know you had it refinished !

Jessenoah · 10-16-2009, 01:48 PM

yep

peach64 · 10-16-2009, 03:37 PM

how do you like your burst now?

GooCart · 10-16-2009, 05:08 PM

I think I must get that recipe!! I really love the rich color of that one. I wasn't aware that you were the lucky owner of that guitar. Congrats, I'm not jealous at all. Well maybe just a little.

Jessenoah · 10-16-2009, 07:41 PM

the color is exactly what I was looking for
and it wasnt mine until after it was built

cherrick · 10-19-2009, 01:21 PM

Terry Mueller in Illinois
How about Tony Nobles in Wimberley Texas?

swankmotee · 10-20-2009, 03:29 PM

Gotta mention Mr. Phil Jones (Ex Mastah Luthier @ Gibson Custom Shop) here in NashVegas who used to do all of Billy G's,Slash's,J Page's,ect,ect work. Heres my 03' brazillian that he completely refinned in period correct nitro and also reshaped the neck to a real 59' carve.....

This thing sounds absolutely SICK now and has all the character of a 50's Lester. Phil is DA MAN if you want this kind of work and quality, every bit as good as all the major players previously mentioned!

k.guitars · 10-20-2009, 03:57 PM

Anyone know where Gord Miller is located?

PoorMan · 10-20-2009, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k.online

Anyone know where Gord Miller is located?

In Canada, eh.

Great guy, I do business with him all the time and can't recommend him enough.

Big John · 10-20-2009, 04:41 PM

Looks like Gord's got a toll free number...1-877-394-8676

That dang Google is amazing.

k.guitars · 10-20-2009, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoorMan

In Canada, eh.

Canada is 3,854,085 square miles. Anyone be a little more specific...?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big John

Looks like Gord's got a toll free number...1-877-394-8676

That dang Google is amazing.

Thought I'd ask here before bothering the guy just to ask him where he is located, since if it's thousands of miles away it won't be of much use to me...

Mike60 · 10-20-2009, 06:28 PM

Gord's somewhere near Vancouver,I believe.

He's currently on the top of my list for doing over "the fake R0".

Big John · 10-20-2009, 06:34 PM

Too bad you feel that way, K. Gord gets guitars from all over the world, just like the rest of the top shelf guys. He's a good man. One little 5 min. phone call ain't going to piss the guy off, trust me.

10-14-2009, 11:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
peach64 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Jersey Posts: 834 Thanks: 0 Thanked 14 Times in 9 Posts	Who offers the best finishing services? I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you guys who replied to my previous posts of Bad News For 2010, and Justification of the Value of 1959 Historic Reissues. With the information you guys have given me, I think the most prudent way of approaching will be building a few replicas up to a certain point, then hand them off to be fretted, have neck with tortoise shell dot binding, then get 100% nitro finish. Unfortunately Dave Johnson is no longer accepting new work. BTW, I sent him 4 old growth sets of mahogany 2 years ago, but he couldn't get it done. But I didn't know who he was until I saw his address on his website. Anyway, I'm looking at RS Guitarworks, and what about Lays Guitar Shop? Anybody have experience with them too? Is there anyone else you guys could recomend? Thanks, Peach

10-14-2009, 12:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
Big John Size Matters Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: up and left Posts: 3,939 Thanks: 9 Thanked 115 Times in 29 Posts	Re: Who offers the best finishing services? Florian Jaeger (Germany) and Gord Miller (Canada) both do good nitro finishes.

10-14-2009, 12:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
peach64 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Jersey Posts: 834 Thanks: 0 Thanked 14 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Who offers the best finishing services? Thanks for the heads up. I checked out Gord Miller, his work looks fantastic. Thank you guys

10-14-2009, 01:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
cryptozoo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: In the shadow of Dollywood Posts: 1,308 Thanks: 3 Thanked 8 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Who offers the best finishing services? RS is great -- I've got an Old Friend guitar and the finish / aging on it is as realistic as I've owned. Beats Murphy by a good bit.

10-14-2009, 01:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
peach64 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Jersey Posts: 834 Thanks: 0 Thanked 14 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Who offers the best finishing services? Thanks Crypto, Since I'm building a few 5-10, there is plenty of work to go around to a few guys. I totally forgot about Tom. I like his work too. I've got to buy some hide glue and clamps now. Crypto have you gone on Youtube and checked out the Nephilim?

Today
Les Paul	Sponsored Links __________________ This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members. Register your free account today and become a member on Les Paul Forums

10-14-2009, 01:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
TM1 Bartlett Retrospec Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northern L.A. County Posts: 528 Thanks: 8 Thanked 56 Times in 12 Posts	Re: Who offers the best finishing services? As well, Dave Johnson, Terry Muller and Lays. All of these guys are Masters!

10-15-2009, 01:46 AM	#8 (permalink)
GooCart V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Umeå, Sweden Posts: 1,553 Thanks: 16 Thanked 131 Times in 19 Posts	Re: Who offers the best finishing services? Tom Bartlett refin my '98 R8 and I couldn't be more happy with the result. I gave him free hands with it and he game me the whole enchilada, real aniline dye and vintage correct grain filler. It's also very realistic aged, the guitar feel like a vintage Gibson now, the tone is brighter and the neck is smoother. __________________ Magnus Melkersson, Sweden

10-15-2009, 03:33 AM	#9 (permalink)
V!N Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Working on De-Railroad Posts: 4,084 Thanks: 79 Thanked 113 Times in 25 Posts	Re: Who offers the best finishing services? Tom Bartlett at work A fine guitar build by our forum brother Scott "Ex-Nihilo" Wilkinson. Sprayed to match 9 0901 (page 70 in Beauty of the Burst) Click here to read the build thread. __________________ I've been driving all night, my hands wet on the wheel.

10-15-2009, 03:41 AM	#10 (permalink)
V!N Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Working on De-Railroad Posts: 4,084 Thanks: 79 Thanked 113 Times in 25 Posts	Re: Who offers the best finishing services? What I really like about Tom Bartlett and Florian Jäger is that they go all the way. To me, there's no point in having a a completely aged guitar with brand spanking new inlays. Here are some examples of their work, compared to a new one. Tom Bartlett Click here to read all about this guitar that Tom build, finished and refinished for our forumbrother myspace.com/jessenoah. Florian Jäger The heavy aged stuff. A bit too much for my taste but less drastic is available. HM From one of the fine guitars from Frank's collection. __________________ I've been driving all night, my hands wet on the wheel. Last edited by V!N; 10-16-2009 at 03:41 PM. Reason: a bit of a typo there :)

10-15-2009, 05:57 AM	#11 (permalink)
peach64 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Jersey Posts: 834 Thanks: 0 Thanked 14 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Who offers the best finishing services? thanks for the pics. Yeah, spoke with Tom yesterday, and will hopefully be sending him a few guits by end of this year. Peach

10-16-2009, 01:07 PM	#13 (permalink)
Jessenoah Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: stuck in Lodi again Posts: 5,912 Thanks: 364 Thanked 267 Times in 93 Posts	Re: Who offers the best finishing services? more tom, you might recognize this guitar from a few pictures northward __________________ My Website http://jessecosta.webs.com/ required reading for any zep fan http://wholelottaled.webs.com/

10-16-2009, 01:19 PM	#14 (permalink)
alk-3 MLP Sponsor Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Guelph Ontario Posts: 1,643 Thanks: 45 Thanked 359 Times in 16 Posts	Re: Who offers the best finishing services? Wow, those pictures turned out pretty good for being taken with my cellphone! Glad you like it Jesse! __________________

10-16-2009, 01:27 PM	#15 (permalink)
V!N Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Working on De-Railroad Posts: 4,084 Thanks: 79 Thanked 113 Times in 25 Posts	Re: Who offers the best finishing services? Dude... Wait, what ? I didn't know you had it refinished ! __________________ I've been driving all night, my hands wet on the wheel.

10-16-2009, 01:48 PM	#16 (permalink)
Jessenoah Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: stuck in Lodi again Posts: 5,912 Thanks: 364 Thanked 267 Times in 93 Posts	Re: Who offers the best finishing services? yep __________________ My Website http://jessecosta.webs.com/ required reading for any zep fan http://wholelottaled.webs.com/

10-16-2009, 03:37 PM	#17 (permalink)
peach64 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Jersey Posts: 834 Thanks: 0 Thanked 14 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Who offers the best finishing services? how do you like your burst now?

10-16-2009, 05:08 PM	#18 (permalink)
GooCart V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Umeå, Sweden Posts: 1,553 Thanks: 16 Thanked 131 Times in 19 Posts	Re: Who offers the best finishing services? I think I must get that recipe!! I really love the rich color of that one. I wasn't aware that you were the lucky owner of that guitar. Congrats, I'm not jealous at all. Well maybe just a little. __________________ Magnus Melkersson, Sweden

10-16-2009, 07:41 PM	#19 (permalink)
Jessenoah Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: stuck in Lodi again Posts: 5,912 Thanks: 364 Thanked 267 Times in 93 Posts	Re: Who offers the best finishing services? the color is exactly what I was looking for and it wasnt mine until after it was built __________________ My Website http://jessecosta.webs.com/ required reading for any zep fan http://wholelottaled.webs.com/

10-19-2009, 01:21 PM	#20 (permalink)
cherrick Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Jeddo, Texas Posts: 1,417 Thanks: 4 Thanked 20 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Who offers the best finishing services? Terry Mueller in Illinois How about Tony Nobles in Wimberley Texas? __________________ --- cherrick

10-20-2009, 03:29 PM	#21 (permalink)
swankmotee Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: NashVegas, Tn Posts: 96 Thanks: 0 Thanked 15 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Who offers the best finishing services? Gotta mention Mr. Phil Jones (Ex Mastah Luthier @ Gibson Custom Shop) here in NashVegas who used to do all of Billy G's,Slash's,J Page's,ect,ect work. Heres my 03' brazillian that he completely refinned in period correct nitro and also reshaped the neck to a real 59' carve..... This thing sounds absolutely SICK now and has all the character of a 50's Lester. Phil is DA MAN if you want this kind of work and quality, every bit as good as all the major players previously mentioned!

10-20-2009, 03:57 PM	#22 (permalink)
k.guitars Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 403 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 1 Post	Re: Who offers the best finishing services? Anyone know where Gord Miller is located?

10-20-2009, 04:41 PM	#24 (permalink)
Big John Size Matters Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: up and left Posts: 3,939 Thanks: 9 Thanked 115 Times in 29 Posts	Re: Who offers the best finishing services? Looks like Gord's got a toll free number...1-877-394-8676 That dang Google is amazing.

10-20-2009, 06:28 PM	#26 (permalink)
Mike60 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Reflectorland Posts: 8,439 Thanks: 0 Thanked 111 Times in 36 Posts	Re: Who offers the best finishing services? Gord's somewhere near Vancouver,I believe. He's currently on the top of my list for doing over "the fake R0".

10-20-2009, 06:34 PM	#27 (permalink)
Big John Size Matters Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: up and left Posts: 3,939 Thanks: 9 Thanked 115 Times in 29 Posts	Re: Who offers the best finishing services? Too bad you feel that way, K. Gord gets guitars from all over the world, just like the rest of the top shelf guys. He's a good man. One little 5 min. phone call ain't going to piss the guy off, trust me.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode