GibsonExplorer Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 I've had my '06 ebony Gibson Explorer for about 3 years now. When I first got the guitar, the finish was flawless. Over time, I've noticed a sort of wave on the top of the guitar. Right below the stoptail there's sort of a "rippling" type effect going on, but it's only visible from an angle and in decent lighting. Is this a finish imperfection? It isn't extreme, and you can't feel it. But from an angle, it's noticable. In case it helps, here'sa bit more info--- I haven't used polish in a while, my finish has had a bit of build up on the back and sides (not very much on the top though). It only got spread around more and cloudier when I tried to polish it. I keep my guitar in the case, half locked, laying so the guitar is on its back. My room is pretty hot and humid (i live in Texas and my room doesnt have a decent air conditioner). I'm planning on ordering some Virtuoso polish and cleaner this weekend... Is this rippling a problem? Should I get my guitar refinished? Could I refinish my Explorer like the mahogany Gibson Explorer Pro? If I can do that, could I get binding on my neck, headstock, and body? Thanks in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dem00n Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 Leave it. Shows that you acutal play the thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cabba2203 Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 That's the lacquer finish aging and that's normal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GibsonExplorer Posted June 16, 2010 Author Share Posted June 16, 2010 I have other guitars that are older than didn't have the same problem.. I had a 1989 Squier Korean Str*t that had perfect finish without any ripples or anything. I mean, I'm all for beating up my guitar over the years (It has a few gashes and bumps) because over time through all the crazy shows it becomes a timeline. I like to jump and run around and really get into it when I play, so its gonna happen. But for some reason, this rippled finish is kinda weird to me. So you say its normal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brundaddy Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 Your other guitars prob don't have nitrocellulose lacquer like Gibsons do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowb5str Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 From Houston: different compounds for the finish will have different aging symptoms. It's quite possible you have polyurethane on your other guitars. Use the cleaner that your FLGS, or trusted tech, or friend with an old but beautiful guitar from the SAME FACTORY, recommend. I've used Gibson polish on my LP for decades. YMMV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GibsonExplorer Posted June 17, 2010 Author Share Posted June 17, 2010 I was just concerned that this was happening when my guitar is only 4 years old. I've seen plenty of older Gibsons that don't have this same problem. But then again, my Gibson is my oldest guitar, so I haven't had much experience with how finish ages. Any more thoughts out there? If more people verify it's just a natural aging process, I guess it should be alright. Still with my earlier questions, would I be able to have the paint removed and finished like the Gibson Explorer Pro mahogany finish? Could I get creme binding around the body, neck, and headstock? Or is the entire process overly expensive and difficult? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e/2 Explorer Posted June 17, 2010 Share Posted June 17, 2010 I was just concerned that this was happening when my guitar is only 4 years old. I've seen plenty of older Gibsons that don't have this same problem. But then again' date=' my Gibson is my oldest guitar, so I haven't had much experience with how finish ages. Any more thoughts out there? If more people verify it's just a natural aging process, I guess it should be alright. Still with my earlier questions, would I be able to have the paint removed and finished like the Gibson Explorer Pro mahogany finish? Could I get creme binding around the body, neck, and headstock? Or is the entire process overly expensive and difficult?[/quote'] Depends on the quality of the 3 piece body, if the pieces are matched pretty well, I see no reason why you could not get it finished in a burst. Usually, guitars slated for painting have mismatched wood since it won't be seen. This is one of the reasons why natural finish guitars are priced a bit higher normally Yes, it will cost more to have binding put on, a lot more. All areas have to be routed to accept the binding Personally, I would just leave it alone, sell off your lowend guitars and buy a burst Explorer if you can find one. The old burst Explorer's will cost you more then a new Explorer PRO burst Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piro Posted June 17, 2010 Share Posted June 17, 2010 It is funny. I have the same issue on all of my black Gibsons........just the black ones. Does Gibson use a different quality finish, or lacquer on ebony guitars then on the rest? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamman Posted June 18, 2010 Share Posted June 18, 2010 I say leave it alone for now. wait and see what happens when you you the Virtuoso polish and cleaner. it is good stuff and you might be suprised. The Stat you have, has a poly finish. i have a mij Squire from 1987 -white and it has only yellowed abit. I Smoke .and it 's been giged. that poly lasts a life time. Good advice on buying a new guitar. think about that. Black shows everything, that maybe part of the problem. I never heard of Gibson using a different, quality finish, or lacquer on black. let us know what happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riffster Posted June 20, 2010 Share Posted June 20, 2010 It is funny. I have the same issue on all of my black Gibsons........just the black ones. Does Gibson use a different quality finish' date=' or lacquer on ebony guitars then on the rest?[/quote'] To me it looks as if Explorers and Vs in black do not have 8 coats of nitro, the finish seems thinner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GibsonExplorer Posted June 22, 2010 Author Share Posted June 22, 2010 Yeah I think my Explorer is going to get pretty beatup so I doubt I'm going to try to refinish now. Any thoughts on what a reliced as hell Explorer would look like? The F*nders look great when they lose some finish, but how would the mahogany Explorer look with ebony finish? Any thoughts, pics, comments on that? I've already got a little growing rash on the top edge of the body, and a decent amount of wood is showing, but a chunk of finish would be quite different as you can imagine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GibsonExplorer Posted June 22, 2010 Author Share Posted June 22, 2010 Oh and btw, I dont feel like starting another thread (i've posted enough noobish questions on here already) so I thought I'd ask here. Do yall know where I can get my hands on some Sprague Bumblebee capacitors and for how much? Do they make em new? I see em on eBay, but I dont want to deal with buying used if I can get em new... I'm new to my tonal search in caps, so any help is appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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