Bortron86 Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 I bought one of these in 2010, and recently I've noticed that that surface of the body is a little rough, almost gritty, in places (namely near the upper horn, and between the bridge and the knobs/switch). The area where pick wear would be expected is still smooth and unblemished. I was wondering what the best way to be looking after the finish is. As I understand it (but I may be wrong), it has a single thin coat of nitrocellulose lacquer with a dull finish, so some have recommended to me that a standard guitar polish would work. However, I'm wary of doing anything that might damage the finish given how incredible and beautiful the guitar is. Until now, I've only wiped the body down with a soft, dry microfiber cloth after playing it to remove any sweat or dust. Any advice would be appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hype Posted March 26 Share Posted March 26 On 2/15/2024 at 7:59 AM, Bortron86 said: I bought one of these in 2010, and recently I've noticed that that surface of the body is a little rough, almost gritty, in places (namely near the upper horn, and between the bridge and the knobs/switch). The area where pick wear would be expected is still smooth and unblemished. I was wondering what the best way to be looking after the finish is. As I understand it (but I may be wrong), it has a single thin coat of nitrocellulose lacquer with a dull finish, so some have recommended to me that a standard guitar polish would work. However, I'm wary of doing anything that might damage the finish given how incredible and beautiful the guitar is. Until now, I've only wiped the body down with a soft, dry microfiber cloth after playing it to remove any sweat or dust. Any advice would be appreciated! Inspired By came with a nitro finish? Those were reserved only for the Limited Edition 1965 John Lennon Casinos I believe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 (edited) And the companion to that model, the John Lennon Revolution Casino. Perhaps that is what the OP is referring to. If it is a poly finished Inspired By, no change should occur to the finish. But you would expect a nitro finish (as on the JL Revolution and JL 1965) to sink in time, which indeed might make the top feel rougher. In any case, I would use Gibson Pump Polish on it. It won't make the top feel too much smoother, but it is an excellent cleaner and polish. Red 333 Edited March 28 by Red 333 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted April 17 Share Posted April 17 (edited) I own a Epi Inspired By John Lennon Revolution Casino.. I bought it new & it’s completely stock original.. It has USA Gibson P-90’s, Gold Grover’s, upgraded Electronics, Switchcraft 3 Way Switch & Jack.. It’s really great Guitar! These do not have a Gloss or Semi Gloss Finish. It has Natural Matte Finish.. I didn’t read anything about Nitro finish but I believe it may be.. I’ve always used a dry Microfiber Cloth & wipe it down.. I’ve been curious about the proper way to clean this unique finish as well. Edited April 17 by Larsongs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted April 17 Share Posted April 17 (edited) 9 hours ago, Larsongs said: I own a Epi Inspired By John Lennon Revolution Casino.. I bought it new & it’s completely stock original.. It has USA Gibson P-90’s, Gold Grover’s, upgraded Electronics, Switchcraft 3 Way Switch & Jack.. It’s really great Guitar! These do not have a Gloss or Semi Gloss Finish. It has Natural Matte Finish.. I didn’t read anything about Nitro finish but I believe it may be.. I’ve always used a dry Microfiber Cloth & wipe it down.. I’ve been curious about the proper way to clean this unique finish as well. Only the John Lennon 1965 Casino and John Lennon Revolution Casino (which were built in Japan and given final assembly in the US ) have nitro finishes. In some marketing literature, "Elitist" was also added to the names. They were seen as an offshoot of that series in that they were made by Terada, the factory that made the hollow-body Elitists, and during the period the Elitists were being made and marketed. These two John Lennon signature models sold for $2K each. This was in the mid 2000's. The Inspired By models (which came later, and were made in China) have a poly finish. The name is meant to suggest they were inspired by the features of the two John Lennon signature models that preceded them, but with changes to make them more affordable (including the poly finish instead of nitro, and a change in their place of manufacture, China instead of Japan, and other things). These were widely available new for around $700, I think. Red 333 Edited April 17 by Red 333 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted April 17 Share Posted April 17 4 hours ago, Red 333 said: Only the John Lennon 1965 Casino and John Lennon Revolution Casino (which were built in Japan and given final assembly in the US ) have nitro finishes. In some marketing literature, "Elitist" was also added to the names. They were seen as an offshoot of that series in that they were made by Terada, the factory that made the hollow-body Elitists, and during the period the Elitists were being made and marketed. These two John Lennon signature models sold for $2K each. This was in the mid 2000's. The Inspired By models (which came later, and were made in China) have a poly finish. The name is meant to suggest they were inspired by the features of the two John Lennon signature models that preceded them, but with changes to make them more affordable (including the poly finish instead of nitro, and a change in their place of manufacture, China instead of Japan, and other things). These were widely available new for around $700, I think. Red 333 Correct.. Though Poly seems like it would be a Gloss finish. Right? I own an IBJL Revolution Casino. It has a Flat Natural Satin or Matte finish.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted April 17 Share Posted April 17 2 hours ago, Larsongs said: Correct.. Though Poly seems like it would be a Gloss finish. Right? I own an IBJL Revolution Casino. It has a Flat Natural Satin or Matte finish.. Poly can be gloss, semi-gloss, or matte, depending on the formulation of the finish, and how much flattening agent is added to it. Epiphone makes guitars with poly finishes in a range of gloss. There are satin models, "aged gloss" models, etc, The new Inspired by Gibson Custom models have a new V.O.S. finish on some of is meant to emulate the soft sheen of a well preserved vintage guitar, for example. Red 333 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted April 17 Share Posted April 17 11 minutes ago, Red 333 said: Poly can be gloss, semi-gloss, or matte, depending on the formulation of the finish, and how much flattening agent is added to it. Epiphone makes guitars with poly finishes in a range of gloss. There are satin models, "aged gloss" models, etc, The new Inspired by Gibson Custom models have a new V.O.S. finish on some of is meant to emulate the soft sheen of a well preserved vintage guitar, for example. Red 333 I’ve always wondered what the Finish actually is.. I have Copy of the original Epiphone Product & Spec Sheet from their old website back Whalen they were in Production but it doesn’t say what was used.. Would Polish or Wax would change the Finish? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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