Les Paul Refinish Packages & Pricing
STANDARD MAKEOVER
PRICE: $2,500
Our Standard Makeover package offers the essentials to improve your Gibson Historic Les Paul. The fingerboard binding edge is rolled, we then completely refinish the guitar using our aniline dyes and unplasticized nitro-cellulose lacquer in one our vintage correct finishes. The package includes a Vintage Patina (weather-checking and aging optional). We also re-stamp the serial number in a correct 50’s typeface.
DELUXE MAKEOVER
PRICE: $4,999
Our most complete Makeover for Gibson Guitars. On guitars made before 2013, we steam out the neck and reset with hot hide glue. On all guitars, we re-carve the top to vintage spec, reshape the neck to vintage “C” shape, and use hot hide glue to install a Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard with correct binding ledge and inlay routs. We inlay the fingerboard with our exclusive 1950’s style cellulose nitrate inlays, and install frets. The guitar is completely refinished with aniline dyes and unplasticized nitro-cellulose lacquer in one of our vintage correct finishes. The package includes a Vintage Patina (weather-checking and aging optional). We also re-stamp the serial number in a correct 50’s typeface.
ATTENTION CUSTOMERS
Please read the following regarding our un-plasticized lacquer–
We have gone to great lengths to bring you the most authentic un-plasticized nitrocellulose lacquer giving the guitar the same vintage properties and aging characteristics of a real 1950’s Gibson guitar.
Un-plasticized lacquer is very hard and brittle by nature, which can cause it to chip and weather check very easily on its own. Every aspect of our process has been intentionally implemented to promote the natural aging and wear associated with a Makeover that is emulating the look and feel of a 60 year old instrument. This lacquer will continue to age and weather check on its own well after it leaves our shop.
Adding plasticizer to prevent weather checking, or producing factory perfect NOS finishes has never been this company’s vision, ever.
Weather checking will sometimes start on its own before it leaves the shop or can happen in the cargo hold of an airplane at 35,000 ft. during shipping, where the air is near freezing. We have no control over this. We will do everything we can to accommodate the wishes of our customers but please remember that this lacquer is specifically designed to act in this way.
ADD-ON OPTIONS:
Enhance your makeover experience with a variety of options. Select from our range of add-ons to further personalize your Standard or Deluxe Package.
*Add-ons are not sold separately, these are only extra options for the Standard or Deluxe Package. If you have any questions about our packages or add-ons feel free to reach out via email: info@historicmakeovers.com
TOP CARVE | $200
We adjust the contour of the maple top, referencing templates taken from a real ’59 Les Paul. The result is a carved top with softer lines and a more vintage look.
NECK PROFILE | $200
The dimensions for our 50’s neck profile were taken from a real vintage Burst; in addition to the softer vintage correct taper, we remove the shoulders to form a more comfortable C shape neck.
CUSTOM GUITAR FINISHING | $375+
We offer standardized finish options with all Makeovers. If you have something specific in mind, or want your guitar painted a custom color, let us know.
GUITAR PART SHADOWS | $400
Add an extra layer of realism and authenticity to your Makeover (Part Shadows are the unfaded red areas under the pickgaurd, neck pickup ring, and rhythm/treble ring).
HEADSTOCK STINGER | $250
Add a cool Headstock Stinger to the back of your guitar. When a Headstock Stinger is used, your guitar’s serial number will be stamped in white ink to make it visible over black lacquer.
CLOSET CLASSIC AGING | $350
Includes minor wear such as small nicks, scuffs, and scratches, like you would expect on a guitar that didn’t make it out of the case too much.
BROKEN IN AGING | $450
Includes authentic weather-checking and more noticeable edge-wear, pick scratches, whiskey bumps, etc. A well loved guitar that was used, but not abused.
HEAVY DISTRESSING | $750
Includes authentic weather-checking and serious wear on the finish. Buckle rash, arm wear, scrapes, scratches, oxidation, you name it, this ones got it.
CUSTOM THEME AGING | $2,500+
Includes authentic weather-checking and detailed custom aging that replicates your hero guitar, (Pearly Gates, Jimmy Page, Joe Perry clone, etc).
CELLULOID NITRATE INLAYS | $325
Add our vintage correct Mazzucchelli inlays to your Standard Package Makeover (model year 2012 and older).
6/6 NYLON NUT | $280
Add a vintage correct Nylon nut to your Standard Package Makeover. The Nylon nut is included in the Deluxe Package Makeover.
GIBSON LOGO REPLACEMENT | $350 – $600
We can replace the factory MOP logo with one in a vintage correct font, using correct placement and orientation based on the year of the guitar.
RETROSPEC PARTS
Finish it off with with vintage correct plastics, hardware & electronics from our Retrospec store.
