Do R6/R7 Goldtops have a nitro finish?

[fillmore nyc]

I found out that they use a different kind of gold powder than back in the days. This powder doesn't include these metallic micro-flakes that oxidate and give the old models a slightly greenish shimmer - at least that's what I read.

Im almost positive original Gold Tops used a bronze powder mixed with lacquer. When I worked in the meter shop at the water company I was contracted to at the time, its the same process we used when re-painting a water meter, the body of which is bronze. We mixed bronze powder with thick bulk lacquer, and thinned it with lacquer thinner. (Dont ask me why they didnt just use gold spray paint... EVENTUALLY they did, but for the longest time, they used the bronze powder/lacquer mix).
I always noticed that old water meters came in looking exactly like cool old Gold Tops, aging to a deep goldish/green color, since bronze "greens out" with age. They aged quicker than a Gold Top, probably due to not using any sort of clear coat... it was just powder mixed with lacquer and shot until it covered the meter completely, maybe 2 coats.
I shot a Strat body in the spray booth, and it came out identical to a Gold Top. When initially shot, it could be darkened or lightened depending how much bronze powder was used. With age, it ended up exactly like a Gold Top LP would... checked with nice green check lines, and turned that killer deep gold/green color.
Incidentally, the mixing stick used to blend all this shit had about a 3/8" thick coating of bronze that could have been used as a weapon!! It was just one of those wooden hardware store mixing sticks, but it had some heft to it after a few months!!
Ah, the good old days!!!
/

[Mars Hall]

The reason I was asking is that I found a R7 from 2004 - not a V.O.S. - that has more depth and sweetness than any of the other 8 Historics in this shop. Another R7 from 2007 sounded remarkably weaker, anthough they had the same weight. At first sight the clear coat on both R7's looked like poly to me, it also smells different than a R8 or R0. I played the 2007 model in 2007 already and I remember the finish didn't tend to get sticky like on non-Goldtops. Maybe they use another kind of nitro based coating for the Goldtops now like they write - but never trust Gibson, that is true.

Here is a thread on the topic from our friends at the LP forum. From what all these guys are saying it's nitrocellulous laquer. Go there and do a search, these guys do their homework.

http://www.lespaulforum.com/forum/showt ... ght=laquer" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Mynameisfritz]

MarsHall, it's not as clear as it should be - even at the LPF. Just look at this thread you linked to. There's some good information over there nevertheless.
From what I read in the two LPF's and the Reranch-Forum, I think it's a nitro finish. But the finish on a R8 smells different, doesn't it? So what kind of nitro - good or bad in regard of the tone of the whole instrument? Interesting to know that the Custom Shop works with different brands of laquer - like they say in this thread at the LPF, etc. Mac, you mention the use of different ingredients, plasticisers, etc. I totally forgot about Florian Jägers work here and haven't seen the videos on his site yet. He's a very friendly guy - I'll just send him a mail.

Sorry for my crappy english today, I'm so tired.

edit
Hey, some more 'Udo'-videos on his site!

[Mynameisfritz]

Just took a closer look to Florians updated website - good infos about the 'nitro' Gibson uses. This is the guy who is highly recommended by Udo and Larry.

[Toad]

My friends brother works for akzonobel. He said that they have the Gibson account. I'll see if I can get a hold of him for more info.
Todd

[56goldtop]

My friends brother works for akzonobel. He said that they have the Gibson account. I'll see if I can get a hold of him for more info.
Todd

That would be very interesting.

[Mynameisfritz]

I just received Florians answer. He says all the finishes feel the same when he strips them - the same ACRYL-NITRO mixture on a GT or a Burst. There is a good pic of a stripped coating on his site. The different smell comes from variations in dryness and age, sun, humiditiy, etc.
Check out his site, it's worth it.

Some info from akzonobel would be great.

[yngwie308]

My 1952/'56 Les Paul Goldtop painted by Jack Romano, was painted according to the vintage formula of mixing bronze powder and Jack mixed his own paint as he mostly does, to match the original gold in the pickup cavities, but slightly aged.
http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g219/ ... /?start=40" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I do know my Heritage Gary Moore models, have vintage correct nitro and they are beautifully painted with thin nitro,a lot of the LPF Historic guys have their guitars resprayed by one of the specialists, so..







yngwie308

[Mynameisfritz]

Yes Dave, I just had a look at Dave Johnson's work at Historic Makeover, which is basically the same that Mr. Jäger does. So I guess in the end the bottom line on the whole topic is simple: it's a 'nitro' finish on GT's, but not the best one. Check how hard and thick it is and how much it probably dampens the tone. If you can live with it, fine, if not, a makeover by Dave Johnson or Florian Jäger is the way to go. There's nitro which is soft and there's nitro which is hard as glass...