Refinishing...talk me off the ledge.

[TMeury]

Friends.

To preface, I've been wanting one of the original Al Di Meola's (charcoal-ish with a white sparkle back) since first seeing his. I know there was a limited run by a dealer in Japan in 2006 but, I doubt one of those will pop up for sale anytime soon. Let alone at a reasonable cost.

I finally scored a McBraz with a great quilt '10' top. IRW neck, BRW overlay. She's a real beaut!

My dilemma is do I or do I not refinish it into my mythical Meola dream guitar?

I'm not terribly worried about resale as I plan on keeping it. If I do sell eventually, I don't think a finish as classy as this would affect things too much.

Talk me to or away from the ledge.

 

[toothace]

Make it your own.

 

[veinbuster]

Call up PTC and get a quote.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

 

[andy474x]

A PTC job wouldn't be cheap, but it would certainly be second to none, especially if this is gonna be an heirloom guitar for you.

 

[Malloc]

Food for thought: I just had a PTC solid color refinish and the sticker shock will make your eyes water. For me, it made sense because I got the guitar for a song due to known finish damage, but let’s just say one could buy a decently depreciated core model for the same amount.

 

[Lacire]

Only you can decide. Financially you may have other things in your life that should be taking a priority other than refinishing a perfectly good guitar. I personally would let your new purchase cool down a bit. I’d play the guitar for at least a month, after that if it’s still everything you’re looking for in a guitar other than the finish and you can afford it, have it refinished. It’s always nice to have a dream come true and then live happily ever after with it.

 

[bodia]

I'm in this camp!

 

[alantig]

Own it! Especially if you can get the refin done at a price and quality you’re happy with.

 

[gush]

DO IT!!!!

 

[markd21]

I have had several guitars refinished, and I have always been excited upon their completion. I never regret having it done. However it always cripples the resale value. Once you go with something "custom" you kill the market value - the guitar pretty much only becomes valuable to somebody that wants (or falls in love with) your guitar. You say you'll never sell it, but things come up - new guitars, medical emergencies, etc. We sell our guitars sometimes. Be prepared that you will loose the total value of the refin - so if you spend $1500 on the refin, that money is gone forever. Also, be prepared to have to sell the guitar for 30-40% below market value because it has a non-original paint job. A PTC paint job would preserve the value, but you are gonna pay a premium for that refinish.

Just a heads up.

 

[AP515]

 

[László]

Lots of people love quilt tops, and often they cost extra. Lots of people won’t buy a refinished guitar.

But it’s your guitar, so whatever floats your boat, right?

 

[HANGAR18]

YOU CAN DO IT!

 

[Outlier22]

I refinished a strat myself. It looks a lot of research to make sure it would be done right. And it took a ton of work - I would probably never do it again. I recall thinking after, if someone asked me to do this for them, I wouldn't do it for less than 2 grand! Just not worth it otherwise. So I understand why it costs so much now.

 

[Pragmatist]

We here in Britain have a saying......Just do it. Oh hang on, that's Nike.