Behind The Scenes At Gibson Factory To Spray A BURST Les Paul

Watch as Dinesh learns how to spray a nitro Gibson Custom Color Series Les Paul guitar with Jim Decola at the Gibson Craftory.
▶ Products used in this video:
▶ Shop YOUR new Gibson Custom Color guitar HERE: bit.ly/3sSA6FL
▶ Shop ALL Gibson Les Paul guitars here: bit.ly/46949qY
If you’ve ever wondered how many people it takes to spray a Nitro Burst finish on a Gibson Les Paul guitar, you’ve come to the right place. In the latest video on the Gibson Gear Guide, you’ll get a backstage look into the spraying process for a Gibson Les Paul at the Gibson craftory in Nashville, Tennessee.
Watch as we show you how each Gibson Les Paul is prepared before it makes its way to your hands, from initial sanding, to the spray booth where the magic happens. You’ll see how carefully a Gibson guitar is sanded in preparation for grain filling, find out why mahogany needs grain filling and maple does not, see the staining process for a Gibson guitar, and finally the finishing and spraying of a Gibson Les Paul in a Burst finish from the Custom Color Series.
Watch a Gibson Les Paul come to life when applied with a beautiful nitrocellulose lacquer finish sprayed by Gibson's Master Luthier and Product Development Manager Jim DeCola. Jim explains how every Gibson guitar is finished in nitro, which is widely regarded as the best finish for a guitar because of the beautiful way it ages. Thinner nitrocellulose finishes also tend to have less of a dampening effect than polyurethane alternatives, allowing the guitar to ‘breathe’ for greater resonance and sustain.
Jim also illustrates how many coats of nitro are applied when finishing a Gibson guitar, and explains why Gibson applies multiple coats in different directions for an even covering. In addition, Gibson Gear Guide presenter Dinesh Lekhraj challenges Jim DeCola to a spray-off, where Dinesh learns how to spray a Burst finish on a Gibson Les Paul. Let us know how you think Dinesh did in the comments!
Timestamps:
0:00 The first steps when spraying a Burst on a Gibson guitar
0:53 Sanding a Gibson guitar
1:42 Grain filling: mahogany vs maple
2:25 Staining
3:30 Finishing and spraying a Burst finish on a Gibson Les Paul
5:29 Spraying solid-color Gibson Les Paul
6:07 We try spraying a Gibson Les Paul
8:55 The results
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[@gibson]

▶ Products used in this video: ▶ Shop YOUR new Gibson Custom Color guitar HERE: bit.ly/3sSA6FL ▶ Shop ALL Gibson USA Les Paul guitars here: bit.ly/46949qY

[@4ofwands]

Blueberry Burst is the best modern burst! Keep up with those awesome colors! Going in the right direction 👍🏻

[@gibson]

Thanks! Will do!

[@robvdrdp]

This must be such an awesome job. One day I will order my blueberry burst Les Paul! 😁

[@gibson]

We hope it serves you well!

[@ThrillingTwo]

Me too! I loved the blueberry burst since I first saw one❤

[@jimwguitar3002]

I have the blueberry burst and I can’t stop looking at it ❤

[@michaelsakells169]

I think he did an excellent job on the burst. I like how its a darker blue on the rim.

[@sandraspears6389]

I am with you on the wider and darker rim on the blueberry burst.

[@Acemechanicalservices]

That’s why it’s called a burst.

[@joeyskar]

That would be such an amazing experience getting to spray your own burst, I'd love to go. 😊

[@gibson]

I was envious! -Lee

[@RokDAWG1]

I think that the guitars were looking awesome without the burst.that blue was pretty rad!

[@hanovergreen4091]

IKR? I prefer natural stains ala PRS. Best Regards and Best Wishes!

[@ereimul1444]

those LP sprayed by Jim Decola And Dinesh. that's epic moment.

[@gibson]

Pretty epic!

[@glaucosouza1971]

What a thrill and a joy to watch! 😎

[@gibson]

It's so cool right! So stoked for Dinesh, getting to spray a burst Les Paul! Thanks for watching. -Lee

[@glaucosouza1971]

@@gibson and he actually did a great job!!

[@ehiracheta]

Cool video! I'm on board for this! I've been pretty happy where Gibson has been at lately. In the past 2 years I've bought 3 brand new Gibsons! All of them were purchased after I played them in store. I just had to take them home because they were so good.

[@gibson]

Hope you enjoy them and they serve you well!

[@Msteve-nt5bx]

His looks great actually. I'd buy it

[@InkedGamerWolf420]

It would be cool if taking a tour of the factory got you your own custom colour. I’d love a “crimson” or “violet” burst with Seymour Duncan Distortions or JB set

[@RickMcCargar]

A Comfy Flamed Les Paul Standard with a neck say about 84 at the first to 94 at the twelfth fret...8.5 lbs, a comfort carve for the right arm and belly cut! That's what we need!

[@synonyx]

Going to order a blueberry one when I find one with the top I want!- I want the one Jim sprayed! - Love me some Jim and Dinesh! Never knew this channel existed!

[@gibson]

Thanks for watching! We've just recently launched. good to have you with us!

[@rinkydinky-ob9pe]

id have to say in my experience out of all the guitar manufacturers , Gibson do the best burst in both acoustic and electric and im martin fender gibson freak !

[@JB19504]

In the last 2 months I have bought a Les Paul Supreme in Wine Red and a Les Paul Modern in Seafoam Green from Sweetwater. Couldn't be happier and got a great price on both of them. I now own 4 Les Pauls, a 60's Cherry ES-345, an old 2010 CS-336 in Ebony and a Gibson Hummingbird Walnut M acoustic. Great video, but I was wondering how they clean the neck or if the ebony or rosewood goes on top of what they painted.

[@gibson]

We hope the guitars serve you well!

[@AshleyOffset]

Such a fun video. Those bursts are beautiful!

[@gibson]

Glad you like them!

[@johnasbury3744]

Bro I wish I had a factory where I live I'd work for free what a awesome job

[@UnpleasantDog]

Amazing work!

[@thesilverburstreserve]

I've owned a few blueberry burst finishes. My 8 year old son absolutely loves this finish. I promised him one once he can manage a full size guitar🤘

[@BXGuitars]

Jim low key told Dinesh his is going to the demo shop. LOL Great video. Always fun to watch these instruments being made.

[@gibson]

haha thanks for watching!

[@badtonestudio]

Very cool! Keep up the good work!

[@gibson]

Thanks!

[@williamwinn948]

looking forward to grabbing a ox blood LP

[@clintwilson6380]

Always loved that color, you ever seen an oxblood SG?

[@tone1798]

Wow, that was really kool to watch. Green burst all the way 💚

[@gibson]

ooooh that's a nice colour!

[@monday6524]

I do love Jim D.!!

[@tjrizzo1619]

Gibson make beautiful guitars. Man I’d love to own one but I can’t afford one.

[@rlfryjr.8703]

Using LAMINAR Flow, to pull the dust away from the surface. Used also in microchip manufacturing!

[@bobbiejoe4726]

OMG! No Commercials! Thank You!

[@jimmyjames2022]

Great Gibson USA tour, thanks! Nice to see some new colors on what I hope are USA SGs. In the restricted finishing area I wonder why there's coveralls but there's no hair nets? I've seen reviews where there are hairs, though it's not common. I note that Jim is being hair responsible with the head shave.

[@denverrandy7143]

Lol I really like the Host with the long hairs burst job!👍

[@parkerhatcher224]

This was really cool! I have an observation though and am wondering if anybody else agrees or has any insight into what I’m hearing. The background music sounds great. Love that blues sound! But to me, the guitars featured sound like telecasters. I’m actually curious if the background music is recorded on a Gibson (Am I just hearing p-90’s?). If it’s not Gibson audio, it should be! Showcase the tones of your guitars in your videos (If you aren’t already). I have a Les Paul that can go from a big fat humbucker sound, to at least, the neck pickup on a fender tele in seconds. They’re very versatile guitars if you have the right pups in there! (Or a well dialled in EQ pedal 😉) Okay take care guys! 5:23

[@bravo0105]

I appreciate your outfit showing this as I have guitars to finish.

[@chrisdigital]

Just ordered my first Gibson SG. 61 faded. Great seeing the factory it's made.

[@gibson]

Rock on! I have 2 SG's, personally, love them - Lee

[@charleszaman7666]

Gotta get me one of those Dinesh bursts

[@gibson]

We'll see if he's available for custom orders :)

[@MrJuanchernandez]

“Spray” Authentic!

[@glenndavis6793]

I love me, Gibsons

[@gibson]

Rad!

[@larryburwell8550]

great video

[@gibson]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jenozanetti6664]

I’ve been painting cars since I was 16, I could smoke any painter there lol. I’d love to do that for a living

[@donkeydarko77]

lol, k lil' bro

[@jeremeydonovan8286]

Put In your application if you would love it, it could be THE job for you! No limits

[@jenozanetti6664]

@@jeremeydonovan8286 if I lived in that location I would. Unfortunately I do not lol

[@RussBMCSGT]

How have I missed this channel?

[@gibson]

Welcome!

[@rcjoe406]

Sweet

[@brooksroman2918]

Gibson Garage should expand and add a “burst it yourself” room and let you go free on a blank canvas guitar, then they finish it off for you and ship it to you when it’s done, all for an extra premium 😂

[@gibson]

I'll have a word with the team ;)

[@dirktucker77]

Very cool! I picked up one of the GC transparent ebony trad v's. Favorite color and very metal. It's my first real Les Paul. I love it.

[@vince8081]

We'll all wait for the "how we get a perfect fret job on standard series ?". Please take the time.

[@titanuranus]

If they let me spray a blueburst, that guitar would be MINE.

[@eharmicar]

What happened to Mark Agnesi ?

[@gibson]

Stay tuned...

[@jwandhistools]

Curious what 'sealer coat" material is used before the final clear goes on. Normally, I do sealer, color, clear.

[@Acemechanicalservices]

That’s what they did. That’s what everyone does.

[@RobG-KD9YBZ]

Would be cool to see him finish out the guitar.

[@gibson]

Stay tuned...

[@joshuabarron8535]

Do the guitars come with a complementary hair stuck in the guitar's finish, like the Les Paul owned buy KDH's friend and bandmate? 😁

[@Ottophil]

Maybe kdh is too picky? Could be

[@Acemechanicalservices]

You think not accepting a hair in your $4000 guitar is too picky?

[@dontuckerjr]

Which part of this process adds the static electricity? That was an unexpected feature that came with my Les Paul Standard.😕

[@randym7961]

Your floor !

[@JeremyLeech]

This makes me want to pull my les paul peace out

[@WyldMusik]

I really wish they'd colour matched the back of those new fuschia finish Les Pauls like they have with the blueberry bursts shown here, the fuschia contrasts horribly with a natural back, even a cherry back would have been better than nothing.

[@peouguardsystems2204]

I would've been happy without the burst perimeter.

[@concretel10n]

Why are some sticky and some bone dry, and do you have any tips for it?

[@gooseabuse]

Lacquer works by solvent evaporation. If its sticky there are solvents still evaporating in the finish. For example this is why you would never rub your nitro finished guitar with alcohol because it will start to reliquefy the finish. A warm dry place will help the finish cure fully. Gibson should not be letting sticky guitars out the door, unless you're referring to gloss finish guitars vs matte finish. Gloss is naturally less smooth to the touch than the matte, sometimes people call glossy necks sticky. You can give a light sanding to glossy necks to make them play "smoother" but this can potentially effect the resale value of your guitar slightly.

[@ArmandoLopez-qt6vz]

3:54 HOLD UP - blue SG with a black edge burst ???? I NEED IT!

[@ArmandoLopez-qt6vz]

9:32 There it is again!!

[@gibson]

👀 shhh....

[@jamesonpace726]

"Just pretend you know nothing about nothing." "But I've been here for decades!" "No utube dopes will notice...."

[@drsrsv8884]

Dinesh, I saw you on a Fender video, some years back. What happened?

[@BrianOboylemusic]

Some day I'll be able to afford one

[@gibson]

I hope whatever guitar you pick, is your favourite guitar forever. Thanks for watching and being with us! -Lee

[@BrianOboylemusic]

@@gibson thanks I appreciate that, I am thinking after my youngest is done high school but ippy them every chance I get

[@ABRANDONZ1309]

That red one is just 👨‍🍳🤌🫴

[@dustonwalker7878]

This is the modern cobalt burst color not blueberry

[@barry3045]

The 3M mask he’s “wearing” isn’t the correct type for chemicals such as paint anyways 😂

[@DeadReckoner]

No lefties? :(

[@kkrsnn5632]

Nice video. But... make those colours darker 😁

[@gibson]

Noted :)

[@darindipietro9141]

Note to self- wait 6 months before ordering a blue burst. I’ll take one the first guy sprayed but ain’t gonna put out that kind of cash for a first timer…..😳

[@gibson]

Don't worry - Dinesh's version is kept aside... more cool stuff happening with it soon! Thanks for watching!

[@andrewmathews6527]

Factory second. 😂

[@juanalanes2620]

That’s more a blue burst than blueberry.

[@stevegray5548]

Do they not sand down the imperfection in the paint in-between coats? There are always imperfections when you paint something.

[@Ottophil]

“Imperfections” are just birthmarks, not flaws

[@stevegray5548]

@@Ottophil they are flaws when that bad boy is 3k. there better not be a mark on it if i get it new

[@thrash8315]

No pressure. You are doing your first burst on someone's $5K+ Les Paul.

[@gibson]

Don't worry it was kept aside for use in more videos :)

[@MetalDerrik]

interesting video but after seeing how Gibson finished my 80's Explorer i don't have much faith in there QC anymore

[@jukeboxjohnnie]

Anyone can do it!!!

[@MainPrism]

Title correction: How Gibson rips off PRS' finishes. 😂😂😂

[@Kur0y4m4]

No love for these stupid perimeter-bursts. Gibson has been doing them so long they have forgotten how to do Teardrop-Bursts. Too bad.

[@ivanbravo347]

Ok ok ohhh wow…aha yeah…alright yes…oh wow..magical… wooow mmkay cook sure sure. This new dude gotta go.

[@gkuzmanov]

I've seen worse guitars that passed Gibson's QC...

[@_Yep_Yep_]

I actually do wonder how much you pay the artisans who make your three thousand dollar guitars, Gibson.

[@sixslinger9951]

$20-30 an hour? does it really matter? they aren't forced to work there if they don't like the pay.

[@brandonsergeon5915]

the lowest paying job at gibson brands is customer service rep and it's 40,000 a year.

[@lbguitar]

Comments like this just make me roll my eyes. Tinge of modern liberal communism and definitely lazy ass pro Union type of personality. Never operated a business before, simply looks at the guitar price and assumes nothing about the actual margins or profitability of the company.

[@brandonsergeon5915]

@@sixslinger9951 meant to tag dude above you. My bad

[@Ottophil]

@@lbguitari dunno it sounds like faux patriotic right wing anti communist talk to me

[@thestrum71]

90's Gibsons never needed all this drama, and still they're better... So: Gibson: look into that.

[@klauscottonswab2322]

woke 👎i will build one my own.

[@user-hn9ek4ww7x]

Gibson finishes are terrible. Epiphone is the same quality now

[@HeadRoaster]

Nope. couldn't care less. Maybe do something DIFFERENT - Gibson's just boring

[@joshuabarron8535]

That's impossible for them, they have been doing the same thing for decades now.

[@gibson]

Thanks for watching anyway! And taking the time to comment. Great to have you with us for the video.

[@randym7961]

Have to wonder why you're here and comment .. Doesn't Harley Benton have a website?

[@joshuabarron8535]

It's fun to call out people for wanting/buying a Gibson. They are overrated guitars, and practically a meme at this point. Only boomers and people who are ignorant of what an actual "good" guitar is buy them. @@randym7961​

[@bflo5210]

I wish the blueberry burst had a natural finish on the sides & back🫤🫤🫤

[@gordonhuskin7337]

2:58 ; that explains alot of quality control issues