O'Brien Guitars - Refinish of Guitar Built in Uruguay

Luthier and Instructor, shows the before and after of a guitar that came into his shop for a re-finish.

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Thin kerf saw blade for cutting Spanish heel slots and bracing:

✦ Sanding and Scraping

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[nothanksimgood]

You are remarkably skilled; that before/after is scarcely believable.

[johnsee]

Amazing! Seems so simple/easy when you know what you're doing... I'm sure it's not!

[Hum-ishs]

I am currently doing a whole guitar refinish, . Since I've tried to use solvent and paint stripper, but none of those work on the previous finish, so I mostly use sanding to sand off all the finish. I am having trouble removing the finish stuck next to the fingerboard and top/neck heel and side. May I ask if you only use scrappers to remove all the finish? Or any other techniques were used?

[johnsaldivar]

Great job! I do realize that refinishing is always not recommended and from the Luthier's perspective always means more work than necessary but what about the Japanese made guitars of the 1970's for example Masaru Kohno where they themselves (Masaki Sakurai himself) have admitted the finish they used was not so good and that they do refinish them periodically. There is a clip on YT where a fellow in Atlanta refinished his Kohno 30 in Tung Oil I think it was. Any thoughts on this? I have a 1976 that has such a finish although there are no cracks or repairs. The original "cashew" is wearing off on it's own.

[nnnikitas]

AMAZING job! How much would such a refinishing service cost and do you know any luthiers in UK that can do it? Thanks so much

[michaelsutherland]

Hi Robert,
I dont suppose you have a video of this restoration and refinish. I have a similr project for myself, but i am a complete newbie. would be a great guide:-)

[albal]

What was the brand/name of the guitar?

[frogslips]

I have a guitar in similar condition and i am thinking of re-finishing it. Would you recommend leaving the bridge on?

[jordanhankin]

What do you recommend doing to a guitar’s finish that you don’t want to scrape off, because like you said, it’d decrease the value, but it’s flaked of in places and cracks? Would a layer over it be smart at all? Maybe a very light sanding just to smooth first?