Finishing School

I've always had an interest in the science of vintage guitars and gear, as many of those things often transcend themselves to other areas that can be vitally useful to my own playing, or gear.

I'd recently read an article in which Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) was trying to explain why his # 1 Les Paul (which he dubiously dubbed "Pearly Gates" ) has that sound. One of the things he'd mentioned in that particular article was the finish - which was something I hadn't heard mentioned before. Sure, I've heard / read other stories about some of the other things that vintage gear afficianados have claimed as the "magical element", including: the wood (old stand vs. new growth); vintage hardware (metallurgy anyone?); and some old-school wiring / electrical (different types of bobbins, cloth-insulated wiring, certain waxes, vintage pots / capacitors, etc.) Yes indeed - the pursuit of the "grail tone" leaves no stone unturned.

As I was exploring this very topic on the internet, I came actoss the following article, in which the author determined that the lacquer used on vintage guitars (i.e. non-synthetic, non-polyurethane) was a key element of its sound / tone. To further bolster his claim, he actually stripped down, and refinished a new guitar with an older type of lacquer finish. You can check this story out for yourself at the BYOB (Bring Your Own Battery) Website: The Effect Of Lacquer

This is but one of the tons of cool topics about vintage guitars / amps. If anyone else has links or resources to other vintage gear-related topics - let me know. J.

*NOTE: If you double-click on the photo of Billy G., it will enlarge. Then you can get a good look at the Rev's custom Rio Grande stack in the background! ;~)