To shine or not to shine??????

[Mr_LV19E]

  Okay, when I got my new OM-MT I loved the satin finish and I still do, but, every time I see one of those hogtops with a polish job I'm really drawn to the look. It seems like the gloss brings out the grain and depth of color in the Mahogany. I said to myself at the start that I wouldn't alter the guitar by removing the pickguard or polishing it like others have done because it may effect the resale value. But the truth is I love this guitar so much I can't imagine ever letting it go. I have bumped this guitar into the mike stand several times and I can't see a flaw anywhere. Where as I bumped the headstock on my Crafter up north guitar once against a wood cabinet and it broke the heavy gloss finish loose from the edge, the finish is still there but it is milky looking underneath. I no that wouldn't happen with the satin finish because its not that heavily applied, but it will show any minor imperfections more than it does now if I gloss it.

   I'm torn between whether to take the plunge and remove the PG and polish or not. I would like some outside opinions on the matter, not that it will definitely effect my ultimate decision. I would just like to know what y'all would do if it was your guitar.

   Here's the guitar in question-----



   Your comments and time are greatly appreciated.

                   
 

[thistle]

I didn't polish my OM-03MT 12-string because I really liked the "humbleness" of it all.

Now that I have the OM-05MT I don't know - the gloss really makes a beautiful guitar even more stunning - the colour is much deeper and richer.

I don't think I have heard of anyone here glossing a guitar and regretting it, but there have been a few people who said they would not buy a glossed 03. Does resale value come into it at all?

[Blue in VT]

Well first of all...that is a GORGEOUS Guitar....NICE Snag....from my experience you will NOT be dissapointed with your Larrivee hog top.  As far as glossing goes....if you like the look go for it I think its great looking...I love the look of my 03BW that has been glossed...and I can certainly say that the mahogany greain on my 05 is very rich and has incrdible depth...much more so than 03s I've seen....in fact its almost hypnotic... .  That said if you are concerned about resale value (which I wouldn't be if I were you) then satin is the way to go.  Many folks just want the guitar stock when the buy a used guitar...and glossing is non-reversible so its a turn off to some buyers.

enjoy that hog!!!



Blue

[tuffythepug]

Mr_LV19E

It's beautiful now but I think I'd go ahead and remove the pickguard and polish it.  It would bring out the depth of the grain so much more.   Forget about re-sale value.  A beautiful well-taken-care-of guiitar can't decrease in value that much when it looks so good.   Check out Denis's Martin 000-15 in another thread.  It's a sapele top/back/sides which is prettier than I thought sapele could ever be and all he did was remove the pickguard and polished it.    Go for it.

[G Man]

Another vote to day go for it.  I also think the glossing would bring out more of the beautiful grain.  Screw resale value, this is YOUR guitar, and it sounds as if you like it enough that it will remain so for many years.  And if that changes, I am sure you will be able to find a buyer who is okay with the glossed look.

[bluesman67]

Yes, they do look great polished, I've thought about doing mine.  When I look at the naturally polished neck and see how it looks, it is stunning.  On the other hand, what Larrivee built a stunning guitar as is.  If you are going to keep her for life, as I am with mine, then no matter what you do or don't do now, in another 10 or 20 years, she will look a lot different with areas that are worn due to years of playing.  Polished or unpolished, that will happen unless she just isn't played.

[Denis]

I think a polished sating finish looks awesome.  It give the guitar a real vintage look and feel.  I've got the top on my L-03 left to do.  I've had it a year and it's darkening all the time, I love the way sitka does that, and I'm sure polishing it will really bring out more colour and depth to the look of the wood. 

Polishing happens on it's own unfortunately.  I still remember my OM-15, when I still had it, was already semi polished on the spot where I rested my arm.  I thought it looked uneven and polishing made it consistent.  Love it.

[Mr_LV19E]

Just a minute, I have to go get the polish. 

No, really, I appreciate all your views---- I don't think anybody said "Don't Do It".

I'm not really concerned about resale because I don't plan on selling it. I know, famous last words, I almost put a humor sign after that statement. Really though it just sounds better every day and I don't think it's ever going to see light strings again. I just want to be real sure of my feelings before I do it because I can't take the gloss off.

Thanks again for your comments, they are appreciated.

[rbpicker]

I have attached a link to some shots of my L -03R which I glossed and never looked back.  I liked it much better, and it didn't have that annoying swish sound when you rubbed it across your shirt, etc.  I sold it and it didn't have a negative effect on the price or speed of sale.  I have since bought a Sapele L-03 and have glossed it the same way... I love it.  Very cool, vintage shine.

BTW, I used the wet-sanding with 2000 grit, and then polishing technique.  That takes all the little swirls out of the finish.

RB


http://s131.photobucket.com/albums/p285/rogerblair3/

[Mr_LV19E]

Thanks RB, nice polish job on that  L-03R

[joopie]

Mr LV-

that's a tough call- i would remove the pg for sure- but i dont think i could bring myself to polish mine...
i have added some pics for reference (big martin's guitar i believe).

, R.




[attachment no longer available]

[bjstrings]

Buff it, baby! Buff it! 

I doubt it'll have any effect on resale value (Martins that have been buffed are, AFAIK, not selling for less than the unbuffed ones).  It'll look better.  As for the pickguard, if you wait much, you CAN'T remove it because it'll look stupid with tan lines.  You can always put one back on if you want but you can only effectively take them off when a guitar is new.  Go for it!

[sayheyjeff]

I think I would actually pay more for a used 03 that was buffed out like some pictured here on the forum.  Looking forward to the opportunity to seeing one in person one of these days.  Anyone ever decided not to purchase an 03 because it was buffed or decided they would only purchase it if the price were reduced?

jeff

[Blue in VT]

here is a link to previous discussion of this topic which took place right after I had bought my glossed 03BW...in which several people say they passed on it because it was glossed.... ...I think it looks fantastic and would certainly buy another in the future

heres the thread:  http://www.larriveeforum.com/smf/index.php?topic=16750.0



Blue

[Mr_LV19E]

Thanks Blue, I saw that thread but I appreciate your link for others.

Well, I removed the pickguard and there is allready a tan line,   5 months old and never outside. It is slight but none the less it is still there.  Could I cover the top everywhere but where the PG was and expose it to light until it's a match? Just a thought. Guess I'll have to order a new PG from Larrivee.

Oh well, such is life 

[bhika]

Thanks Blue, I saw that thread but I appreciate your link for others.

Well, I removed the pickguard and there is allready a tan line,   5 months old and never outside. It is slight but none the less it is still there.  Could I cover the top everywhere but where the PG was and expose it to light until it's a match? Just a thought. Guess I'll have to order a new PG from Larrivee.

Oh well, such is life 

I have heard of people doing that. It might also fade in over time.

[PortHueneme]

Thanks Blue, I saw that thread but I appreciate your link for others.

Well, I removed the pickguard and there is allready a tan line,   5 months old and never outside. It is slight but none the less it is still there.  Could I cover the top everywhere but where the PG was and expose it to light until it's a match? Just a thought. Guess I'll have to order a new PG from Larrivee.

Oh well, such is life 

When I got my D-09-12 there was a tan line from the factory. I left it out of the case and it is almost all blended in. It happens fairly quickly (months not years) and the lighter will turn darker quicker than the dark continues tanning.

[Denis]

Thanks RB, nice polish job on that  L-03R

That's big  from me on that.  Beautiful job!

[Mr_LV19E]

Here's a picture of her naked. Indoors daytime no flash.

[bjstrings]

It'll blend in over time.  Now, Buff It!