pohatu771 Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 Well, I did it. Yesterday I bought the 1983 Gibson Spirit I've been wondering about for months. It's going to take some work, but in the end it'll be a real nice guitar. Other than the paint, it's a great player. It may be the most resonant guitar I've ever played, including acoustics. The body just shakes when you play it. When the semester ends (only a few weeks), I'll start work on it. Until then, I'm going to play it as-is. My intention is to finish the transformation into a Les Paul Special... or as close as it can get. [EDIT] Sorry, pictures were huge and crappy. I'll take some better ones when I have my own camera later. [EDIT 2] I resized the photos, but they're still crappy. I'll take better ones later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruznolfart1281734103 Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 Congrats and hngd! Looks/sounds like it'll be an enjoyable project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InsideMan Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 Very cool guitar. The finish doesn't look that bad. Is it poorly done? Anyway HRNGD (Happy Relatively-New Guitar Day). Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pohatu771 Posted April 12, 2009 Author Share Posted April 12, 2009 It looks good, but it feels terrible. I'm ninety percent sure that it's ordinary off-the-shelf spray paint. My hand feels sticky after playing from rubbing up and down the neck. One thing that is interesting to me is that it doesn't say "Made in USA," as far as I remember. It doesn't show up in the photo, either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captmidnight Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 Congrats there Pohatu771, very nice! I kinda like the color it is now...maybe find someway to fix the finish that is on it now? OR...just play it till the paint falls off! :) Capt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pohatu771 Posted April 12, 2009 Author Share Posted April 12, 2009 I don't mind the colour it is, but there are holes I want to plug that will require a touch-up... and I don't know that I can find a matching paint, since it's probably slightly faded. I'm going to refinish in either Vintage Amber or Cherry, using Stew-Mac's spray lacquer. Those are "proper" Les Paul Special colours, as far as I'm concerned. http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Finishing_supplies/Finishes_and_solvents/2/ColorTone_Aerosol_Guitar_Lacquer/Pictures.html#details Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgrmatt Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 pohatu771 HNGD!!! That's a great pick up at that price. You answered the question about the finish, I wondered if it had a tacky feel but it will look awesome when you get a proper finish on it. Again congrats!! mgm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pohatu771 Posted April 12, 2009 Author Share Posted April 12, 2009 The store said it started out as a black Spirit... I noticed when I take it out of the case that there are paint chips in the bottom, and it seems that the paint is wearing off around the bottom edge. I grabbed a pick and rubbed at it a second, and paint came off easily. It was bare wood underneath. That makes it easier for me, I suppose... it's going to be much easier (and safer) to strip if I can do it with a minimal amount of sanding. So far, I think I could do most of it with a spatular, if I start at a worn spot. I'm not a wood expert, but from the tiny bit I can see, I think it's mahogany. That's normal for a Les Paul, but what I've read is that some Spirits were actually maple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkuss Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 Looks absolutely kick @$$. What a great project to have! I can see that turning into a nice little number. My vote would be for the cherry refinish. That with the black gets me everytime! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldie Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 It's a LP Special with a face-lift. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lpfan Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 I would go for the cherry finish too. HNGD, you have an awesome project and I am sure that it is going to be amazing when you are finished with it. Congrats! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duane v Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 That guitar has a ton of potential=d> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldie Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Looking at pic #2, it shows that it had 'buckers on it before the P90's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricochet Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Congrats Poh...you're on a roll there buddy! So you're keeping the P90s? Did you gave it some thought yet, how you'll tackle the HB-routings? Fill them up or leave them as they are? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duane v Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 These guys will make you a custom set that will cover the gap..... However you will still need to trim the strange looking pickguard. clicky-click Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pohatu771 Posted April 13, 2009 Author Share Posted April 13, 2009 I'm going to see if I can fill the extra space around the P-90s, but if I can't it's not a big deal. A Les Paul Special-style pickguard should cover three out of four openings. Here are some more detailed photos: Did all of that with just a guitar pick Paper pickguard. I can make a better template when the hardware is removed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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