Naked No More! ’55 Goldtop Restoration by DJ

pinefd · 09-06-2011, 01:43 PM

You may remember the thread I posted about my “Naked Beauty” several months back. If not, you can find it here: 54 Year-Old Naked Beauty (with friend)

At the time I bought this guitar (which I thought was a ’56), I had every intention of using it for a full-blown conversion. But after giving it much thought, I decided to have it restored it to its previous goldtop splendor. The guitar was in such outstanding, otherwise unmolested condition, that I just didn’t have the heart to route it for humbuckers…although I did waver on this several times before reaching my final decision.

I sent the guitar off to Dave Johnson, and he was able to turn it around fairly quickly, considering it was already stripped, and pretty much just ready for a final sanding, pore filling and spraying (in addition to some binding re-gluing). Many thanks to Dave for his outstanding work and advice. I’d also like to give big thanks to Steve (Mapleflame) for all his help with this, along with Mark Bishop for his (always) great advice, and to Danelectro for helping with the pickguard.

Well, here she is. I had Dave just do some light aging to the guitar, figuring I could let nature (plus me and the kids) take it the rest of the way. In most of the following pics, the guitar is still wearing the pickguard that came on the guitar…which, I believe, was a cut down ’52 guard. In the first photo shown below, the guitar is sporting the new guard that Dan crafted for me.

And the centerfold spread:

And just as a reminder, here's what the guitar looked like before I sent it off to Dave:

Now, I know some of you think I'm crazy for covering up that top, and others think I'm crazy for not routing it for humbuckers. But that's OK, call me crazy.

Frank

Fletch · 09-06-2011, 01:46 PM

Very nice Frank! Great decision on keeping it stock. I was wondering what happened to this one...

fletch

Cpt_Gonzo · 09-06-2011, 01:56 PM

As much as I would have liked to see a see-through finish on this one...

It still looks great! I think everyone has a weak spot for Goldtops

Mouse · 09-06-2011, 01:57 PM

Now, that's a Beauty and you did the right thing. The Man of Taste!

nicolasrivera · 09-06-2011, 02:09 PM

Beautiful Frank, i liked her naked and i like her in that perfect gold dress.

***Led Zep Fan*** · 09-06-2011, 02:13 PM

Looks fantastic Frank!!!

mapleflame · 09-06-2011, 02:23 PM

Just beautiful Frank. It warms my heart to see a P90ied, ABR-1ed GoldTop restored to their natural figure.

christophervolume · 09-06-2011, 02:26 PM

love the gold!

Dave1968 · 09-06-2011, 02:46 PM

Wow oh wow oh yeah, WOW!!!!

I'd bookmarked your other thread and when I first read that I hoped the end product would be this. Glad you went this route!

A fine guitar, fine decision and fine finish. Congratulations

IdntNedUrCvlWar · 09-06-2011, 02:47 PM

I'm glad you didn't convert it.

It's a very beautiful guitar for what it is, no need for change!

Awesome!

LeftyF2003 · 09-06-2011, 02:48 PM

Yea, that top needed to be gold. Definitely the right decision and it looks amazing.

Inside Guy · 09-06-2011, 03:05 PM

Absolutely beautiful. I think you made the right choice.

rideski · 09-06-2011, 03:07 PM

Now that's what I'm talking about! Good call on not routing and going back to gold!
Congrats...she's a beauty!

HOT-BRIT · 09-06-2011, 03:11 PM

well done frank!
she looks great!

1959burst · 09-06-2011, 03:41 PM

smart move imo.......looks great!

Oranjeaap · 09-06-2011, 03:45 PM

good god thats looks great

Spekter · 09-06-2011, 04:07 PM

Headstock face and silk screen look amazing compared to the naked original. Just the right amout of aging.

pinefd · 09-06-2011, 04:12 PM

Thanks so much for all the nice comments, guys! Much appreciated!

I can tell you that mine was on its way to the pin router to have the humbucker routes cut, but then I chickened out at the last minute. And I have this funny feeling that I may someday regret that move...in spite of all the very positive feedback above. But right now, I'm lovin' it! And I figured once done, it can't be undone (without some evidence), but I can always do it (route for humbuckers) later, if I so choose.

Frank

767400 · 09-06-2011, 04:20 PM

I said it before and I'll say it again.....Fantastic!!!! Best decision on that beauty you could of made IMHO.

theblock321 · 09-06-2011, 04:56 PM

I don't like checking on anything but GTs and now I know why. That is absolutely stunning!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

Chef Greg · 09-06-2011, 04:57 PM

Yeah, baby!!

GooCart · 09-06-2011, 05:15 PM

Wow, that looks nice! Cool that you saved it. In all honesty, I guess I would have routed it but that's me. Congrats, it looks really great

FlamingTop · 09-06-2011, 05:38 PM

Good stuff all around Frank!! God knows we all could use one of these

How does it sound now that it's all done?

Lucky to get a pretty fast turn around time BTW!

LPPILOT · 09-06-2011, 05:44 PM

congratualtions . you chose ......very wisely. There were so few tom LPS made. P-90's sound fine in the old wood LP's. You have offered this guitar new life restoring it as it should be. I've always played GT's . Nice Job.

msfenderarg · 09-06-2011, 05:49 PM

Oh my...

RobP · 09-06-2011, 05:54 PM

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing!

Hawksquat · 09-06-2011, 06:16 PM

You made the right decision.......especially the NOT routing decision.
I'll bet that thing sounds killer as is!

Bottleneck · 09-06-2011, 07:14 PM

Awesome!
Keeping it real!

decoy205 · 09-06-2011, 07:28 PM

Superb Frank! I think you made the right decision and DJ did a fantastic job. That caramel back color is just perfect and the work is just phenomenal.

Mike60 · 09-06-2011, 08:56 PM

Holey Moley!

Now that's a Goldtop!...

09-06-2011, 01:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
pinefd V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 6,743 Thanks: 183 Thanked 465 Times in 46 Posts	Naked No More! ’55 Goldtop Restoration by DJ You may remember the thread I posted about my “Naked Beauty” several months back. If not, you can find it here: 54 Year-Old Naked Beauty (with friend) At the time I bought this guitar (which I thought was a ’56), I had every intention of using it for a full-blown conversion. But after giving it much thought, I decided to have it restored it to its previous goldtop splendor. The guitar was in such outstanding, otherwise unmolested condition, that I just didn’t have the heart to route it for humbuckers…although I did waver on this several times before reaching my final decision. I sent the guitar off to Dave Johnson, and he was able to turn it around fairly quickly, considering it was already stripped, and pretty much just ready for a final sanding, pore filling and spraying (in addition to some binding re-gluing). Many thanks to Dave for his outstanding work and advice. I’d also like to give big thanks to Steve (Mapleflame) for all his help with this, along with Mark Bishop for his (always) great advice, and to Danelectro for helping with the pickguard. Well, here she is. I had Dave just do some light aging to the guitar, figuring I could let nature (plus me and the kids) take it the rest of the way. In most of the following pics, the guitar is still wearing the pickguard that came on the guitar…which, I believe, was a cut down ’52 guard. In the first photo shown below, the guitar is sporting the new guard that Dan crafted for me. And the centerfold spread: And just as a reminder, here's what the guitar looked like before I sent it off to Dave: Now, I know some of you think I'm crazy for covering up that top, and others think I'm crazy for not routing it for humbuckers. But that's OK, call me crazy. Frank Led Zep Fan, Curlymaple, single cut 54 and 20 others like this. __________________ Check out some of my personal gear at: Historic Les Paul Database http://histrungguitars.com/ Please visit my new HiStrung Guitars Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Histru...38001253029620

09-06-2011, 01:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
Fletch V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 2,719 Thanks: 53 Thanked 109 Times in 16 Posts	Re: Naked No More! ’55 Goldtop Restoration by DJ Very nice Frank! Great decision on keeping it stock. I was wondering what happened to this one... fletch

09-06-2011, 01:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
Cpt_Gonzo Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Germany Posts: 2,883 Thanks: 18 Thanked 8 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Naked No More! ’55 Goldtop Restoration by DJ As much as I would have liked to see a see-through finish on this one... It still looks great! I think everyone has a weak spot for Goldtops

09-06-2011, 01:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
Mouse Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Dalmatia Posts: 1,169 Thanks: 31 Thanked 20 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Naked No More! ’55 Goldtop Restoration by DJ Now, that's a Beauty and you did the right thing. The Man of Taste! __________________ Kansas City Radio KCFX 101 Leslie's Pickups

09-06-2011, 02:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
nicolasrivera Banned Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Honduras Posts: 16,586 Thanks: 2,081 Thanked 900 Times in 238 Posts	Re: Naked No More! ’55 Goldtop Restoration by DJ Beautiful Frank, i liked her naked and i like her in that perfect gold dress. JimmyPage968 likes this.

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09-06-2011, 02:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
*Led Zep Fan* MLP Anchorman Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bethlehem, PA Posts: 19,703 Thanks: 460 Thanked 776 Times in 309 Posts	Re: Naked No More! ’55 Goldtop Restoration by DJ Looks fantastic Frank!!! __________________

09-06-2011, 02:23 PM	#7 (permalink)
mapleflame V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Burke Va. Posts: 2,446 Thanks: 0 Thanked 107 Times in 26 Posts	Re: Naked No More! ’55 Goldtop Restoration by DJ Just beautiful Frank. It warms my heart to see a P90ied, ABR-1ed GoldTop restored to their natural figure. Dave1968 likes this. __________________ No thank you to Burst I'll Bronze instead. I just love the green left on my arm in the morning. It Looks Like Victory.

09-06-2011, 02:26 PM	#8 (permalink)
christophervolume Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: stage/studio Posts: 766 Thanks: 0 Thanked 10 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Naked No More! ’55 Goldtop Restoration by DJ love the gold! __________________ www.facebook.com/the321s The 321s - Retro Rock N' Soul www.facebook.com/theblackbirdsmusic The Blackbirds - Folk/Americana www.myspace.com/heaters The Heaters - Garage Rock N' Roll

09-06-2011, 02:46 PM	#9 (permalink)
Dave1968 Bartlett Retrospec Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lancashire, England Posts: 2,401 Thanks: 103 Thanked 29 Times in 12 Posts	Re: Naked No More! ’55 Goldtop Restoration by DJ Wow oh wow oh yeah, WOW!!!! I'd bookmarked your other thread and when I first read that I hoped the end product would be this. Glad you went this route! A fine guitar, fine decision and fine finish. Congratulations

09-06-2011, 02:47 PM	#10 (permalink)
IdntNedUrCvlWar Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Concord, NH Posts: 86 Thanks: 10 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Re: Naked No More! ’55 Goldtop Restoration by DJ I'm glad you didn't convert it. It's a very beautiful guitar for what it is, no need for change! Awesome! __________________ 2008 Gibson Les Paul Studio - Vintage Cherry Sunburst 2008 Fender Stratocaster David Gilmour Replica 1940's WWII era Japan made Classical Guitar 1960 Yamaha FG-110 Orange Sticker Acoustic Marshall JCM 2000 DSL 401 Fender Hot Rod Deluxe And an assortment of pedals

09-06-2011, 02:48 PM	#11 (permalink)
LeftyF2003 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: An island in the middle of a lake somewhere Posts: 3,048 Thanks: 9 Thanked 19 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Naked No More! ’55 Goldtop Restoration by DJ Yea, that top needed to be gold. Definitely the right decision and it looks amazing.

09-06-2011, 03:05 PM	#12 (permalink)
Inside Guy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 874 Thanks: 0 Thanked 25 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Naked No More! ’55 Goldtop Restoration by DJ Absolutely beautiful. I think you made the right choice.

09-06-2011, 03:07 PM	#13 (permalink)
rideski Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 1,977 Thanks: 52 Thanked 23 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Naked No More! ’55 Goldtop Restoration by DJ Now that's what I'm talking about! Good call on not routing and going back to gold! Congrats...she's a beauty! __________________ "When a guitarist expands consciousness to consider more than the challenge of fingers and hands getting notes correct, and starts to encompass the vision of those notes in a much bigger landscape – the music, the mood, the “whole” being greater than the sum of the parts – a musician has begun to evolve from the guitarist." Rik Emmett

09-06-2011, 03:11 PM	#14 (permalink)
HOT-BRIT V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Miami Beach Posts: 18,877 Thanks: 68 Thanked 280 Times in 52 Posts	Re: Naked No More! ’55 Goldtop Restoration by DJ well done frank! she looks great!

09-06-2011, 03:41 PM	#15 (permalink)
1959burst Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: in a brown lifton case surrounded by others Posts: 2,071 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Naked No More! ’55 Goldtop Restoration by DJ smart move imo.......looks great! __________________ http://www.myspace.com/greg1959burstwilson http://www.facebook.com/gregory.d.wilson

09-06-2011, 03:45 PM	#16 (permalink)
Oranjeaap Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 6,014 Thanks: 38 Thanked 78 Times in 20 Posts	Re: Naked No More! ’55 Goldtop Restoration by DJ good god thats looks great __________________

09-06-2011, 04:07 PM	#17 (permalink)
Spekter Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Posts: 53 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Naked No More! ’55 Goldtop Restoration by DJ Headstock face and silk screen look amazing compared to the naked original. Just the right amout of aging.

09-06-2011, 04:12 PM	#18 (permalink)
pinefd V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 6,743 Thanks: 183 Thanked 465 Times in 46 Posts	Re: Naked No More! ’55 Goldtop Restoration by DJ Thanks so much for all the nice comments, guys! Much appreciated! I can tell you that mine was on its way to the pin router to have the humbucker routes cut, but then I chickened out at the last minute. And I have this funny feeling that I may someday regret that move...in spite of all the very positive feedback above. But right now, I'm lovin' it! And I figured once done, it can't be undone (without some evidence), but I can always do it (route for humbuckers) later, if I so choose. Frank __________________ Check out some of my personal gear at: Historic Les Paul Database http://histrungguitars.com/ Please visit my new HiStrung Guitars Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Histru...38001253029620

09-06-2011, 04:20 PM	#19 (permalink)
767400 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Atlanta Posts: 828 Thanks: 45 Thanked 61 Times in 12 Posts	Re: Naked No More! ’55 Goldtop Restoration by DJ I said it before and I'll say it again.....Fantastic!!!! Best decision on that beauty you could of made IMHO.

09-06-2011, 04:56 PM	#20 (permalink)
theblock321 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 468 Thanks: 88 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Naked No More! ’55 Goldtop Restoration by DJ I don't like checking on anything but GTs and now I know why. That is absolutely stunning!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

09-06-2011, 04:57 PM	#21 (permalink)
Chef Greg Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: The Ozarks, there's gold in these hills... Posts: 421 Thanks: 1 Thanked 12 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Naked No More! ’55 Goldtop Restoration by DJ Yeah, baby!! __________________ Rule your stone as you stone your rule...

09-06-2011, 05:15 PM	#22 (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: Naked No More! ’55 Goldtop Restoration by DJ Wow, that looks nice! Cool that you saved it. In all honesty, I guess I would have routed it but that's me. Congrats, it looks really great __________________ Magnus Melkersson, Sweden

09-06-2011, 05:38 PM	#23 (permalink)
FlamingTop Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 448 Thanks: 0 Thanked 24 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Naked No More! ’55 Goldtop Restoration by DJ Good stuff all around Frank!! God knows we all could use one of these How does it sound now that it's all done? Lucky to get a pretty fast turn around time BTW!

09-06-2011, 05:44 PM	#24 (permalink)
LPPILOT Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 367 Thanks: 2 Thanked 11 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Naked No More! ’55 Goldtop Restoration by DJ congratualtions . you chose ......very wisely. There were so few tom LPS made. P-90's sound fine in the old wood LP's. You have offered this guitar new life restoring it as it should be. I've always played GT's . Nice Job.

09-06-2011, 05:49 PM	#25 (permalink)
msfenderarg Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: "alla fine del mondo" Posts: 5,338 Thanks: 142 Thanked 33 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Naked No More! ’55 Goldtop Restoration by DJ Oh my... __________________ If it ain't broke, Mod it till it is Leonidas no is puteus in primoris rudimentum

09-06-2011, 05:54 PM	#26 (permalink)
RobP Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,892 Thanks: 124 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Naked No More! ’55 Goldtop Restoration by DJ Fantastic! Thanks for sharing!

09-06-2011, 06:16 PM	#27 (permalink)
Hawksquat Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 102 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Naked No More! ’55 Goldtop Restoration by DJ You made the right decision.......especially the NOT routing decision. I'll bet that thing sounds killer as is! mdubya likes this.

09-06-2011, 07:14 PM	#28 (permalink)
Bottleneck Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 282 Thanks: 7 Thanked 21 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Naked No More! ’55 Goldtop Restoration by DJ Awesome! Keeping it real!

09-06-2011, 07:28 PM	#29 (permalink)
decoy205 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The land of concrete shoes Posts: 6,834 Thanks: 505 Thanked 82 Times in 24 Posts	Re: Naked No More! ’55 Goldtop Restoration by DJ Superb Frank! I think you made the right decision and DJ did a fantastic job. That caramel back color is just perfect and the work is just phenomenal.

09-06-2011, 08:56 PM	#30 (permalink)
Mike60 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Reflectorland Posts: 8,439 Thanks: 0 Thanked 111 Times in 36 Posts	Re: Naked No More! ’55 Goldtop Restoration by DJ Holey Moley! Now that's a Goldtop!...

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