Crayon Sky Music

Guitar dying(painting). How can it be transparent?

Here is the deal: I always wanted to buy a gibson les paul studio because i love the sound of them. I also always wanted my guitar to be blue. Here comes the problem: Gibson does not have any blue les paul studios. I’ve been thinking of buying it and have it painted. Is there any possibility that the the paint can be transparent, even though the original color is a opaque white? I would love the wood to show. Concluding: Is there any possibility that my guitar can look like http://s.lowyat.net/uploads//attach-7/post-3707-1204522922_thumb.jpg and not like http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2024/2253134931_e2b291c81e_b.jpg ?

It wouldn’t look like that one because that guitar (and most guitars with transparent finishes) has a thin veneer of figured (flame) maple on it over the mahogany. The mahogany the painted Les Pauls are made of is much darker and the grain isn’t as pronounced or pretty. I see that the newer transparent studios have a maple top, but it’s not figured maple. There is very little grain. Also, completely removing an opaque finish to apply a transparent one would be iffy at best and require too much wood to be removed IMO. A lot of primer soaks into the wood. It’s possible someone could do a flame maple top and finish it as you wish, but they’d have to be good… and I’m sure the cost would be up there… and the value of the instrument would be effected.

It might be more economical to keep your eyes open for a transparent blue one on the used market. One is bound to come up for sale eventually. Maybe Gibson will offer the color again. I think all of their current lines, even the $2000.00+ standard are lookin’ pretty plain jane for that kind of money. Maybe they’ll go back to offering some more choices.

Gibson Les Paul Studio, Gem Series (photos)