Checking on Finish for MIJ's

[R1sky]

Hi All,

Easy question:

Will MIj's from late 70s early 80s get finishing checking?

I have a Burny FLG-70 '78 that I believe is Poly and a Tokai LS80 '81 Nitro

Thanks

 

[Roxy13]

They definitely can if they have a nitro finish. I have a Tokai over here now for some repairs that has some.

My mid/later 80s Burny is nitro and does not have any but other people have Burnys from the same time period that do.

My Edwards PM, which is a 2009 has the most of any of my guitars.

 

[Grenville]

My 1980 LS80 has lots of scars but doesn't have checking.

Apparently the Japanese lacquer used isn't (wasn't) as brittle as the USA formula, so it's harder wearing. I don't think anyone was studying cool-looking patina and how-to-get-it-in-a-few-years at the time.

As Roxy observes, there are exceptions!

 

[ThePanda]

I have an 89 Greco that is Poly with a finish missing/chipping from use

That counts as checking right?

 

[jlee]

Only 1 of my 4 early 80s MIJs has checking. All nitro finished.

 

[R1sky]

Interesting thanks guys

Is it really just the older Gibson's that tend to check due to the lacquer formula?

This is obviously the road worn look that gave birth to the Murphy lab and the £6-9k price tags!

My Tokai from what I can see (and limited knowledge has some nice nitro lacquer with age and knicks to it but no sign of any lacquer cracks or checking I wonder I it ever will!

I presume poly doesn't check?

 

[Aidanspaghetti]

My 1980 Navigator. Checked quite heavily.. Rings like a bell!

 

[R1sky]

Has anyone got a nicely checked mij lp? Late 70s/early 80s?

 

[Mosster47]

None of my vintage Tokais have any checking, but my 2010 Custom Shop Tokai is already checking all over.

 

[motowntom]

My 1980 LS80 has lots of scars but doesn't have checking.

Apparently the Japanese lacquer used isn't (wasn't) as brittle as the USA formula, so it's harder wearing. I don't think anyone was studying cool-looking patina and how-to-get-it-in-a-few-years at the time.

As Roxy observes, there are exceptions!

Dude tell me more about your band.... is that your video? I love it!!!
Cheers

 

[wulfman]

Here is the back of my 1981 LS-150. Lots of thin checking. It is a thin finish and is hard to see under normal light but it is there.


Tokai Love Rock LS-150-22.jpg by Harold Wulf, on Flickr

 

[jimmyjames]

No checks on my Grecs. I dulled the polynitro down to make 'em more tolerable

 

[Grenville]

Dude tell me more about your band.... is that your video? I love it!!!
Cheers

Oh, thank you so much. It was a project between the singer and I; we wrote more than 60 songs and recorded/made videos for two.

Sadly we were unable to continue, but I'm going to be recording under my own name by the end of this year.

We're still good friends, sadly life gets in the way of creative endeavours sometimes!

And now, back to the finish checking discussion; how good is the wear and tear on that Tokai LS-150?

 

[R1sky]

Here is the back of my 1981 LS-150. Lots of thin checking. It is a thin finish and is hard to see under normal light but it is there.


Tokai Love Rock LS-150-22.jpg by Harold Wulf, on Flickr

This is a thing of beauty