Vibra-Artiste De Luxe - restore or leave as is?

[shakedown]

A couple of pix...

[noelford]

+1 on leaving it well alone.

Ecca refers to the problem of keeping an eye on resale value - a good point. :

Sorry, but in my opinion that's not a good point at all as it works from the assumption that keeping something original can only be motivated by wanting to retain it's financial value...

Will, you lifted that quote out of context! What I actually said in my post was:

" Ecca refers to the problem of keeping an eye on resale value - a good point. If the guitar is purchased as an investment and not to be played, then it does make sense not to devalue it."

The point doesn't assume that 'keeping something original can only be motivated by wanting to retain it's financial value'. But, IF a guitar is purchased purely as an investment (which I personally don't approve of!) then, clearly, keeping an eye on resale value is paramount. As I say, not something I approve of but simply a fact.

Oh, and just to be clear, I still agree that this guitar should be left alone, other than cleaning, and played!

Cheers

Noel

[burnsbonkers]

Wow, looks great. Nice honest play wear going on there. My sonic looks the same regarding wear and tear, and I wouldn't dream of stripping it.
I know I may have sounded about bit blunt in my last couple of posts, I just want to say that I don't disrespect or poo pooh any other members opinions on this subject.... they're simply my opinions. I can totally understand the urge to refinish it... I've been down that road before. But as stated before, It's a good ori'ginal example and there are not many knocking around. Preserve it!.

[mgeek]

Will, you lifted that quote out of context! What I actually said in my post was:

" Ecca refers to the problem of keeping an eye on resale value - a good point. If the guitar is purchased as an investment and not to be played, then it does make sense not to devalue it."

I'm a little confused as to how that is taking things out of context...but whatever. We're on the same side, I just don't agree with him!

[mgeek]

I just want to say that I don't disrespect or poo pooh any other members opinions on this subject.... .

I do!

[nidxs25]

I have an older model and wish it had been left alone , now I'm trying to restore it. Leave it alone!!!

[Billyboygretsch]

I wish mine had not been touched but stripping back and a poor jammy front finish necessitated doing it. If you need to do it do it properly or you will always regret or have to do it again.
Still maintain a good restore is still cheaper than buying a new custom shop whatever which will probably devalue look at the price of many secondhand custom shop strats. All the big manufacturers make slight variants and sell them as something new. I bought an Apache limited edition and within a year another edition is bought out i guess i would be lucky to get £750 for it
Hope someone buys those old Artistes on ebay at the moment - they DO need restoring shame if they go for spares. Can the maple neck be straightened ? Looks like an original Artist as non original tremolo and scratchplate looks like original model

[mgeek]

Hope someone buys those old Artistes on ebay at the moment - they DO need restoring shame if they go for spares. Can the maple neck be straightened ? Looks like an original Artist as non original tremolo and scratchplate looks like original model

Sadly there seems to be a lot of aimless hoarding that goes on with these...

I really want one, know damn well that I could fix that messed up neck in a tasteful and non intrusive way, but I strongly suspect I'm gonna get outbid by someone who a/ Already has about twenty of these and b/ Will just stash it with 'the rest' for the next thirty years

Nice to see the pics of yours- actual projects that you're actually doing something with!

[ecca]

Get the Polystrippa out...
Get on with it.

[burnsbonkers]

WELL SAID MGEEK!!!!!!!!! Too many brilliant vintage guitars out there, just stuck in cases....mainly owned by folk who cant even play!!!!!)(*&^%$£"!£$%^&*......
Ha ha Quit the trolling Ecca.........you know you dont mean that!.
Id stick to playing that Didgeridoo if i were you .