some of the Rickenbacher bakelite guitars get over $1500.

quote:

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They're worth more refinished.

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Seeing as these guitars are going for around $1,200.00 with original finishes, I will offer it to you (upgrade included) for the fair sum of $1,500.00.

And it even has a brush painted case!

Now, Johnny Sibert's old triple Stringmaster refinished to Fender blonde? Yes.

BTW I have a blonde 26" scale triple Stringmaster that is in about a B+ condition. Chrome is near perfect and only a few dings; but you can bet that I will one day refinish it.

If you're feeling adventurous, I think Kayton Roberts might still have a half can of red paint left!

But in my humble opinion, and with tons of respect for anyone who may differ,it is always better to "age gracefully" than to get a face lift.

The only time I see it fit to refinish a guitar is when it has previously been refinished poorly, like my s**t brown Stringmaster( it might be going Olympic White soon, I can't do it transparent blond, because the brown finish stained the wood to where it can never be butterscotsh again .)

I think it is a part of the character of a vintage instrument, it's personality, who it is and where it's been.

The people who own our guitars in 100 years will appreciate that. They will get to know the guitars for who they are, all the way back to the "3/52" penciled under the tuner tray.

I really think there is something sentimental about seeing a '52 Telecaster with the blond worn just right from where the players right arm has rubbed against it for 51 years, or the way old tweed fringes on the corners of a well worn Pro Amp.

It just seems to me like when the sandpaper peels of that script "Fender" logo from the front of the guitar, it's erased Leo's hard earned signiture.

Not that I'm a fan of the new pre worn
"relic" guitars being made today, I just think that nature should take it's course.

Just my two cents worth...

Chris Scruggs

P.S.

Yes Rick, I agree. While I prefer Dual Pro's and Customs in Walnut, I think Stringmasters really do look great in Blond. But if you refinned Sibert's to Blond, you wouldn't be able to read his name on the front in white anymore!

I have a great transcription recording of him playing the Leon McAuliffe instrumental "Blue Guitar Stomp" with Carl and the Tunesmiths in 1956. If I can figure out how to burn a copy, I'll make you one
(But I have to make a copy for him first).

And hey, how about Carl Smith getting in the Hall of Fame finally! I'd like to think Johnny Sibert's unique sound helped.

I'm done ranting now.

Have you heard "Snowdeer" by the Tunesmiths? Johnny on steel with lead guitar and electric mandolin do a three part harmony,___great sound. I need a copy of that tune also; but wouldn't know where to look.

Since your dual Stringmaster has had a facelift gone bad; I think high-gloss black really suits that guitar. I've seen one; and it had the Fender decal in gold of course. You can get the decal from Bobbe.

Rick

The reason I was thinking Olympic white was because I saw the guitar before the previous owner refinished it, and it was a very nice 1955 blond(in '55 the blond finish is alot creamier).

But who knows, I might end up doing it Dakota red or Sonic blue .

Larry,

As to Mr. Sibert, he has recently retired from the Tennessean newspaper where he worked as a security gaurd. He worked there from 1978 until last year. He hasn't played steel guitar since 1976, but says he doesn't miss it at all. He said the music business made it to where it didn't seem fun anymore, so he figured why play music if you're not having fun.

He seems to be happy in his retirement, and that is good. I wish him the best of luck.

I had both and preffered the Fender Stringmaster. Having both would be a treat.

edited for spelling.

[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 23 November 2003 at 08:17 PM.]