i have a firebird 1...great guitar....i grew up different i guess,i'm 69,beem a pro player since 16 yrs old...always wanted my guitars to look great as long as possible!!
You know you are doing something right when the comments section isn’t filled with ‘it’s like buying a new car and getting the dealer to crash it’ comments 🤦🏻♂️ I bet the owner is over the moon, I’m not jealous at all…… Da Iawn
Nice videos. Interesting to see the different techniques for producing an aged finish. I remember getting anxious when I started to wear through the finish on the body edges and neck on my SG which I've had from new in 1973. And even now it would still would pass for light patina.
I gotta go to work in 6 hours, was about to go to bed… but now I’m here having a cigarette and watching this beautiful video. Funny is that I was not even looking for guitar repaint videos, was just watching some upgrade ideas for my firebird… btw I didn’t find any good but at least the algorithm referred this video to me randomly and I loved it. Great video mate, just subscribed :) Out of curiosity if you don’t mind me asking, how much would be such type of work roughly? Without relic just the repaint. I was not looking for such mod for my guitar but I want to be prepared if I decide to do such thing in the future :)
The way you handle that pointed round Cottmann watercolor brush makes me wonder if perhaps you're no stranger to the process of the good ol' ink and wash technique? Maybe I'm reading into it a bit much? I enjoy watercolor painting and guitar playing, so I couldn't help but notice that little round blue detail brush you used to apply the vinegar to the wood sample.
Vintage spec Firebird pickups sound fantastic, why Gibson kept mucking about with them over the years I'll never know. I have Zhangbucker Waylons in my Firebird which are vintage correct, killer sound!
I’ve got the JB firebird in sunburst and always wondered if I could have the polyurethane stripped and nitro finish applied. What do you think? Nightmare?!
Thanks for doing these videos, I love watching them and wish you had time to do more, so many great insights and tips into the dark art of relicing. Where can you get the muriatic acid and colortone dyes from if you don't mind me asking.
Ebay is a great resource for things like muriatic acid. You might also find it at hardware stores where it is sold as brick cleaner. Colortone dyes can be bought from Stewart MacDonald. Transtint dyes are another option. Glad you enjoyed it.
i have an Epiphone SG and I hate the poly finish but removing it seems like a nightmare, I chiselled a cheap strat copy cold a few years ago and the poly chipped off easily but I daren't do this to my SG. A way of making the poly look more attractive would be nice. Great vid, really enjoyed watching and Merry Christmas.
When the owner bought it the shop was selling them off for £400 to clear the stock. Now they're on Reverb for £1500 - £1700. Without getting too specific about numbers, he would probably break even or make a small profit if he sold it at the upper end of that price range.
I'm using Fiddes Bone Hard. They're an old family firm local to me in Cardiff. When I first bought some they warned me it was liable to crack if it got too cold. My response was, "I bloody well hope so" ;)
I was surprised how nice the grain looked under that finish. I think you are right about the quality of the instruments coming out of China, Indonesia and Korea…really high quality except for finishing and some of the parts (?). At any rate, that Firebird ended up being a true beauty! Relic’s at that level are perfect. Enough to give the character and vibe of being “played in”, great feel and frees you from being paranoid about handling the guitar! I take care of my instruments, but don’t want to be precious about them.
I just don’t understand why people would want to take a perfectly good beautiful, looking Guitar and make it look like crap and somehow think that that’s better I just don’t understand it
Very well done, but... I never understood relic’ing. After having the chance of getting someone to refinish a guitar perfectly you ask him to destroy it right after. What about the owner playing it a lot instead of faking wear? What a waste.
Marvelous. We were wondering when someone from the anti-relic'ing 'I don't understand' brigade would show up. Thanks so much for your comment, we really enjoyed that.
You'd get a pass putting a Gibson truss rod cover on that. At this point, it basically is one, and you your craftsmanship and QA is most certainly better than theirs.
Enjoyed your videos on the Firebird refurbish. As you said, it's sad to see you put so much effort and time and skill into refinishing the body, and bringing it up to a very good looking standard, only to mutilate it. I understand and get the whole relic thing, and how it's become very popular with the public these days, but to me, as clever as your relic'ing process has been, this guitar is now a bastardized, mutilated, cheap fake, knock off pretend guitar. Their can be no substitute for a genuine naturally aged guitar in that sense, if that's what you are looking for in a guitar.I am not. Sorry, i'm old school, and remember the days when the more damaged and abused an electric guitar was, the less money it was worth. That has completely changed these days, as the worse condition or more beat up the guitar is, the more money it seems to be worth. How times have changed. To each his own i guess. Just my opinion. Greg - (professional auto spray painter for 43 years standing)
Well said. A rare example of a well balanced critique from someone who doesn't like relic'd guitars. Fair enough, and glad you were able to enjoy the videos anyway.
mach my words: you will never be able to please that client. if a 1500$ guitar wont satisfy someone then a paint job and pumbling with odd bits of tat certainly wont do it
To say that you are a man who keenly appreciates a refined attention to detail is probably an understatement. I respect your pursuit of excellence.
Why is it that Firebird 1s always look the coolest?
Single pickup guitars are my favorite for sure!
Well, all I do with mine is plug it in. No faffing around with 'getting that sound' it's there all ready.
i have a firebird 1...great guitar....i grew up different i guess,i'm 69,beem a pro player since 16 yrs old...always wanted my guitars to look great as long as possible!!
I'm in awe of your patience and craftsmanship Huw!👌🤟👍
The finish looks so good i'd have skipped the relic job but each to their own. Great work as always Huw and a pleasure to watch the process :)
You trolling me Rob? Only kidding. Glad you enjoyed it. Speak soon - H ;)
Thanks. Very enjoyable video. Also your presenting style has a fine tone of voice. Keep up the good work.
Thank you. The elocution lessons are finally paying off ;)
Never seen a Firebird sunburst! One of a kind!
Beautiful looking and sounding Firebird. Well done!
Love to see a fellow Welshman on RUclips! Brilliant work man I know where to go if I need any major work doing
Diolch Sam
Bravo! Well done sir! 👍🏻
I can tell this is going to be great just from the thumbnail! :))
Beautiful work Huw. Love the relic, love the colour
Thanks David. Glad you liked it.
You know you are doing something right when the comments section isn’t filled with ‘it’s like buying a new car and getting the dealer to crash it’ comments 🤦🏻♂️
I bet the owner is over the moon, I’m not jealous at all…… Da Iawn
what a nice job part 1 & part 2
congrats !
Great stuff as always. It came out really good.
Nice videos. Interesting to see the different techniques for producing an aged finish. I remember getting anxious when I started to wear through the finish on the body edges and neck on my SG which I've had from new in 1973. And even now it would still would pass for light patina.
Great job as usual. I like your content 👍🏼
Lovely job!
I gotta go to work in 6 hours, was about to go to bed… but now I’m here having a cigarette and watching this beautiful video. Funny is that I was not even looking for guitar repaint videos, was just watching some upgrade ideas for my firebird… btw I didn’t find any good but at least the algorithm referred this video to me randomly and I loved it.
Great video mate, just subscribed :)
Out of curiosity if you don’t mind me asking, how much would be such type of work roughly? Without relic just the repaint. I was not looking for such mod for my guitar but I want to be prepared if I decide to do such thing in the future :)
You guys do amazing content. Good Show!
Looks like quality work. Looking forward to see what you put out next. Subscribed.
The way you handle that pointed round Cottmann watercolor brush makes me wonder if perhaps you're no stranger to the process of the good ol' ink and wash technique? Maybe I'm reading into it a bit much? I enjoy watercolor painting and guitar playing, so I couldn't help but notice that little round blue detail brush you used to apply the vinegar to the wood sample.
Vintage spec Firebird pickups sound fantastic, why Gibson kept mucking about with them over the years I'll never know. I have Zhangbucker Waylons in my Firebird which are vintage correct, killer sound!
I’ve got the JB firebird in sunburst and always wondered if I could have the polyurethane stripped and nitro finish applied. What do you think? Nightmare?!
Thanks for doing these videos, I love watching them and wish you had time to do more, so many great insights and tips into the dark art of relicing. Where can you get the muriatic acid and colortone dyes from if you don't mind me asking.
Ebay is a great resource for things like muriatic acid. You might also find it at hardware stores where it is sold as brick cleaner. Colortone dyes can be bought from Stewart MacDonald. Transtint dyes are another option. Glad you enjoyed it.
Well done , I wonder roughly how much time is involved in the process , my guess is 40 to 80
i have an Epiphone SG and I hate the poly finish but removing it seems like a nightmare, I chiselled a cheap strat copy cold a few years ago and the poly chipped off easily but I daren't do this to my SG. A way of making the poly look more attractive would be nice. Great vid, really enjoyed watching and Merry Christmas.
Really good job 👍🏼 You don’t show the finished headstock, I suspect there is a Gibson logo on it by now. 😅
"Huw's Acid Bath". Explain that to the constabulary if they conduct a search 😂😂😂
Well I have to do that to avoid having my wife telling me off for using kitchen stuff for guitar relic'ing purposes. As if I would... ;)
It came out pretty cool I must say, pretty cool indeed. Any cost breakdown?
When the owner bought it the shop was selling them off for £400 to clear the stock. Now they're on Reverb for £1500 - £1700. Without getting too specific about numbers, he would probably break even or make a small profit if he sold it at the upper end of that price range.
I made one but way too big for me, love the pickups and that's about it, what brand of laquer are you using huw, I need to change my intercoat brand.
I'm using Fiddes Bone Hard. They're an old family firm local to me in Cardiff. When I first bought some they warned me it was liable to crack if it got too cold. My response was, "I bloody well hope so" ;)
@@tonetwinstv2863 Thanks Huw, I'll try some, no idea what happened to my intercoat stuff but it's been a nightmare and had to strip 2 guitars so far.
What was the pickup the owner put in it? Sounded great!!!
A Sunbear
I feel that is was the original request a bit of telling porkies I feel!!
Say what? Now we're confused...
nice!!
🤘
Good job. But the original color was more my kind of.
I was surprised how nice the grain looked under that finish. I think you are right about the quality of the instruments coming out of China, Indonesia and Korea…really high quality except for finishing and some of the parts (?).
At any rate, that Firebird ended up being a true beauty! Relic’s at that level are perfect. Enough to give the character and vibe of being “played in”, great feel and frees you from being paranoid about handling the guitar!
I take care of my instruments, but don’t want to be precious about them.
I just don’t understand why people would want to take a perfectly good beautiful, looking Guitar and make it look like crap and somehow think that that’s better I just don’t understand it
And that's our problem why exactly? It's free content so don't watch it if you don't like it. It's really not that difficult to figure out. Yawn...
Very well done, but...
I never understood relic’ing. After having the chance of getting someone to refinish a guitar perfectly you ask him to destroy it right after. What about the owner playing it a lot instead of faking wear? What a waste.
Marvelous. We were wondering when someone from the anti-relic'ing 'I don't understand' brigade would show up. Thanks so much for your comment, we really enjoyed that.
Right,, I'll relic it myself thru playing! 😂
You'd get a pass putting a Gibson truss rod cover on that. At this point, it basically is one, and you your craftsmanship and QA is most certainly better than theirs.
At 1:30 I heard the word relic.
Nope
I call that a factory defect
A #2
Enjoyed your videos on the Firebird refurbish. As you said, it's sad to see you put so much effort and time and skill into refinishing the body, and bringing it up to a very good looking standard, only to mutilate it. I understand and get the whole relic thing, and how it's become very popular with the public these days, but to me, as clever as your relic'ing process has been, this guitar is now a bastardized, mutilated, cheap fake, knock off pretend guitar. Their can be no substitute for a genuine naturally aged guitar in that sense, if that's what you are looking for in a guitar.I am not.
Sorry, i'm old school, and remember the days when the more damaged and abused an electric guitar was, the less money it was worth. That has completely changed these days, as the worse condition or more beat up the guitar is, the more money it seems to be worth. How times have changed. To each his own i guess. Just my opinion. Greg - (professional auto spray painter for 43 years standing)
Well said. A rare example of a well balanced critique from someone who doesn't like relic'd guitars. Fair enough, and glad you were able to enjoy the videos anyway.
mach my words: you will never be able to please that client. if a 1500$ guitar wont satisfy someone then a paint job and pumbling with odd bits of tat certainly wont do it
Really? He seemed pretty pleased to me.
Relic? I’m out….
Fair comment.