How to Refinish GIBSON Les Paul R9. [PART 3] R9 to '59 conversion

PART 3
The final part of the video conversion of Custom Chop Gibson Les Paul R9 to Vintage 59 Les Paul. This workshop series by 8BombCustom shows the process of working on a lacquer relic and aging guitar parts.
The full version of this video with detailed explanations of each step of the work is on my Patreon in the Maker level: 🔴PATREON: / 8bombcustom
Link to these wonderful NITORLACK materials here: nitorlack.com/en/?wpam_id=63
PART 1: • Gibson Les Paul R9 ref...
PART 2: • How to refinish Gibson...
🎱 Workshop website: www.8bombcustom.com/
🔥 PAF pickups clones : www.8bombcustom.com/pickups
👁 Instagramm: / 8bombcustom
🥷🏼 TikTok: / doctornitro
You can support me and my workshop on Patreon. / 8bombcustom There you will find private content, tutorial videos, giveaways of my PAF clones and access to auctions. This will allow me to make more quality videos and more translations into English. You can also support me through PayPal: [e-mail] Thank you!

[@adrianmorris9743]

Another fantastic piece of work from Dr Nitro! That is an absolute work of art, one of the best relic jobs I think I have seen.

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@edadpops1709]

Sir you are an artist thanks for the 3 part series.

[@blackout8845]

The amount of detail put into this, absolutely astounding. What a beautiful guitar

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@timlilly]

What a fabulous job! You really are a great artist and craftsman.

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@mariogamutan6513]

You are an audacious artisan. You gave your honest critique stood by it by remaking everything you find wanting in that guitar. I admire you by putting soul in your piece of work.

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you!

[@intoit1074]

You are an artist man. These guitars look SO good after you’ve finished!!

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you!

[@michaelr.4878]

You sir, are a remarkable artist. You have a gift. Well done.

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you!

[@usedguitarstring]

Oh man…. What a great refin/relic. Top marks sir!

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@GrahamB64]

Incredible work. Yours is the only relic I've ever seen that looks like it could genuinely be an original from the 50s. Absolutely amazing result. My hat is off to you Sir!

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@AudioInstruments]

You're a true artist. When I imagine an R9, it looks just like that. I'm sure you have a very happy customer. Thanks for sharing

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@ibberman]

Your work is the best I've ever seen. I' speechless.

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you for your kind words!

[@johnhanda7970]

great work as always your work is like you have a time machine and left Gibson CS Les Paul in 1959

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@hanshansel4212]

Hi there Dr. Nitro! Once again you did a GREAT job! Thanks for sharing!!

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you!

[@johnp75]

She's a beauty. Great job Dr. Thanks for sharing this experience with the world.

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you!

[@user-tq5lc7dr7l]

Sir, you are a true artist; congrats!

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@colinrobertson4569]

The pick guard on my 1980 heritage is broken at the screw too. Great detail. Beautiful work.

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@parkersband]

Absolutely mesmerising. You sir are a craftsman indeed.

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@rudiyantohalim736]

The vibe is there, so cool This came from me who love aged guitar, not very keen of relic guitar. But for me, your work is awesome 👍👍👍😊

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@MichaelSorensen-bl3ec]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, you guys are simply amazing. You have really inspired me to attempt some of my own relic work. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you!

[@agriff4795]

WOW!!! This guitar is more beautiful and a lot more realistic looking than anything I've ever seen out of the Gibson Custom Shop. This guitar went from a shiny beautiful new guitar to an incredible work of art! Keep up the good work my friend!!

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@jamesnorton7601]

It came out great. But I wont lie. You refurbished it to relic it all up. Broke my heart a little

[@philjohnston1064]

Stunning work!

[@rockinguitar101]

Amazing work, Incredible. Now I will not be afraid to get a ding or a scratch on my R9.

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you. 😁👍

[@chriscarol4965]

This looks like a completely different guitar. That’s how much difference a good paint job made with proper materials makes. Keep on the wonderful work and don’t let the haters fool you!!!

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@livingabovethe12th]

Absolutely gorgeous job!

[@8BombCustom]

Thank

[@oldmanzen6682]

Well this got you another sub. What a spectacular job. Really impressive work, and it looks SO much better than it did fresh off the factory floor.

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you!

[@Zubarev09]

Потрясающая работа, достойная настоящего Мастера!!!😍😍😍

[@8BombCustom]

Спасибо бро!

[@CBGypsy03]

Incredible work !

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@Alan-dn9eg]

Truly amazing. That guitar is beautiful

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you very much !

[@metalmig]

that R9 now Looks exactly like a burst. Dr Nitro is the Best!

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@lifewithoutera]

Love your work and your videos. Thanks so much for sharing your process. I'd love to see your take on how to relic/age a guitar with poly paint.

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you. For the poly i use same technology - full repainting.

[@hushpuppykl]

Very very good job. The relic is well executed. Really well. 😊

[@8BombCustom]

@@hushpuppykl thank you

[@carlossalazar4508]

EXCELLENT WORK!!!

[@anonymousanonymous3073]

Amazing work

[@striknine570]

Awesome series and top notch work

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@Paul-rt4ix]

Absolutely amazing quality!!!

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@SenatorTacos]

The feeling you get when people are in disbelief about what I've done to my Gibson never gets old.

[@wyattheitkamp55]

This is a late comment, but it really is hilarious how upset people get about that. It’s like they think a chunk of wood is somehow sacred or something 😂. If I have a guitar that I paid good money for I ought to be able to do whatever I want with it.

[@moki959]

Awesome work!

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@jfiery]

Wow. Very impressive work.

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@jackyjackson4235]

Very Nice! Good Job!

[@eddiejr540]

That’s incredible…it certainly looks 60yrs old…great work👍

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@RickMcCargar]

That guitar looks amazing now!

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@paulofreire7520]

Absolutely awesome, my man! 👍🏻

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@666Sloth]

Masterpiece!

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@Copertpot]

Really amazing!! Thank you for sharing

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@10georg]

I'm absolutely blown away! I have a 2011 Custom Shop SG 61' reissue, that would need your refinish!

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

Like he says "Become a creator" you can do it....just take as long as you need.

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you. Unfortunately now I can't take orders for repainting from abroad due to logistical difficulties.

[@jltrem]

Never mind the moronic comments. You are an artist.

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@erluiferrari6466]

INCREIBLE!!!!!!!!

[@major-Mihailo-Madzarevic]

*Insane level of skills !*

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@major-Mihailo-Madzarevic]

@@8BombCustom You are very welcome brother. I wish I could re-finish my Les Paul in this fashion but my skills are non existent. And even if I had some skills, I wouldn't even DARE to try .. 😃

[@seraphym6764]

Amazing work!!!

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@kristanbenson803]

Looks amazing!

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@joelosacco]

That really looks great!!!! I'd love to have a beater like that!

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@bricebeaudoin4693]

beautiful job ❤❤❤❤❤

[@matalianos]

You are an artist!!!

[@8BombCustom]

Yes. Thank you !

[@milonso650]

just perfection.

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@OkomailkakJR907]

Awesome work, I dig it. 👍

[@OkomailkakJR907]

What does a guitar like this cost?.

[@elecengineer46]

This is amazing work. I would love to see one these compared side by side with a high dollar Murphy aged and a real burst.

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you. I would love to compare too. 😊

[@pedrozee78]

Stunning!

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@Harry750106]

Amazing work!❤

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@torstenbangert4026]

Phantastic👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@casperjakobsen423]

you are so f-ing good at this! brilliant work

[@dglvt7383]

The younger and Better Murphy Lab... Damn the work is just perfect

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@qua7771]

Murphy is not as great as they would have us believe.

[@burgnations9805]

Hello this is incredible job ❤❤❤

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@komarin2]

crazy...awesome..8bomb is really good skills have

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@JammerhakenTV]

This is soooooo nice, wow!!!!

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@JammerhakenTV]

@@8BombCustom i would die for that les paul, youre work is soo amazing, i am sooo impressed, wow wow wow!!! So satisfying

[@johnwhitaker545]

Holy shit man! You’ve outdone yourself here. That’s amazing

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@johnwhitaker545]

@@8BombCustom curious about what you use to relic the fret markers and what you use to darken the rosewood. I’ve tried many things but have only had temporary results

[@8BombCustom]

@@johnwhitaker545 i use dyes, acetone and isopropyl. Whole technology on my Patreon.

[@lone-wolf-1]

@@johnwhitaker545 I tried printer refill water based yellow, let it dry and set for few days, but it rubs off by playing. I just was afraid to use solvents on MOP, expected to disolve it… Will try acetone disolved amber next…

[@johnwhitaker545]

@@lone-wolf-1 be careful.

[@bjstein4242]

65 years of wear in 3 episodes.. not quite that easy.. but the most realistic relicing I have seen.. fantastic work.. never thought to relic inlays..

[@8BombCustom]

Many thanks.

[@rokugen69]

R9 reborn as 59 It's become a really cool guitar, I envy you

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@Dad-Gad]

Gibson Custom Shop wish they had the skills you have , I'd buy one of yours before theirs anyday 👍👍👍👍

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you!

[@lone-wolf-1]

I always read that the best for sound is a unlaquered body. But It think otherwise: a thin, hard shell on the outside of the wooden body should increase its resonance. But only with a very hard material. Also a factor is the added weight with laquer. I applaud your good work, maestro!👏🏼

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@lone-wolf-1]

As for the weight factor- I‘m in doubt. More weight could be beneficial, or in contraire… I think it depends. It can trow off the balance between neck stiffness, headstock weight and body resonance…🧐

[@8BombCustom]

@@lone-wolf-1 Regarding weight, I can say that this is not an easy question and there is no definite answer to it. For the most part, lighter guitars have more treble and are faster. But there are exceptions. It depends on the compatibility of the neck and the body, on the direction of the grain of the wood, on the cut of the boards, on the degree of aging of the wood, on the humidity... I had a 3.8kg Les Paul who had problems with sound. I recently played Les Paul at 4.6kg and it was amazingly amazing. Its sound justified the price of 10,000 euros. I have two favorite Les Pauls in my collection 3.7 kg and 4.2 kg. They both sound amazing but completely different. There is no identical Les Pauls in the world. They are different as people.

[@qua7771]

I did a finish using similar methods. I think it added about 3oz, or 85g after fully curing. I weighed it because I was concerned it was already heavy. It weighs just over 10lb, or around 4.6Kg. It's probably the best guitar I've heard despite it's weight making it uncomfortable after a while of playing.

[@johnswinglehurst]

Incredible

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@pedraw]

Dr. Nitro, Gibson should seriously hire you to work in the Murphy Lab, I'm not even kidding. absolutely stunning work you do.

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you. I had a couple of suggestions. But I don't want to go overseas to work in a factory. I thought about it a lot. Maybe for a year, no more. But I don't think they'll really be happy to see me. Rather, they will sue me.

[@pedraw]

@@8BombCustom I had to laugh a little at your response but you are probably right about them not being happy. my comment was to convey the quality of your work meets and most likely exceeds that of Gibson itself.

[@8BombCustom]

😁👍

[@qua7771]

Gibson could use these methods, but it seems they prefer the cost saving methods they are currently using. It wouldn't make since for an individual builder to give up having the creative freedom of operating his, or her own shop to punch a corporate time clock doing production work. I'd imagine those who do wish they had their own shop.

[@anthonycandell5397]

Wow! Nice relic job. You are father time.

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@GoldMagicMetal]

отличный результат ! Шурупы сделали дело !

[@8BombCustom]

😁

[@cguitarallday]

It looks awesome to me. I want one. Relicing a guitar is very hard to get to look real. What you’re doing is all top notch. I may contact you about getting one of yours instead of a gibson

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@glennnortonjr2455]

Your very talented. I would really like to me you. And anyone with any sense knows how hard this work is.

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you!

[@jmledesma88]

this is awesome

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@jmledesma88]

@@8BombCustom where are you and how much do you charge? I want to get this for my guitar 😬

[@8BombCustom]

I'm in Belarus. Unfortunately now I can't take orders for repainting from abroad due to logistical difficulties.

[@slickfrictionless]

I love that you refinished this guitar! It just shows the substandard work that Gibson still does! It’s no wonder these reissues sound muffled as compared to the real thing! They are SO overpriced for the quality you are getting! I would buy one of your guitars over a custom shop Gibson any day!

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@rediryou]

Truly remarkable. I love that you have a freezer in your workshop for guitars hahahaha.

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@BossNotes]

Wow, what a piece of art , I’m gonna say possibly as good as a original 59 LP , no question it’s better than the over priced reissue series , what this gentleman is doing is like the “ Murphy Labs “ series , !

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

But a little better because he really really cares.

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you,

[@KevinLindsay64]

That's fantastic work. Looks incredible, and the new thinner lacquer won't muffle the guitar's natural resonance (unlike the thicker / softer lacquer that was applied by Gibson)

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@thestrum71]

Work of art! I mean that! Wish I was your neighbour. So you could have a go on my LP's! 😊

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@frostedhead]

I like it!

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@guitartim2128]

The people that have the nerve to call themselves guitar players throwing off on you. They're dumbshits. Your a master craftsman which apparently they don't understand. Love the videos

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you 😊

[@flapjack413]

Seriously. The number of armchair expert luthiers who've probably never built a guitar, chiming in on that one was hilarous. Dude knows his stuff.

[@8BombCustom]

@@flapjack413 Thank you

[@jimestooper1480]

He went through all the work repainting it only to ruin his paint job

[@bokononsense]

Wow, amazing job and it makes me want one. Although I admit, I cringed as you started to relic the beautiful finish you had just applied.

[@8BombCustom]

😁👍

[@Meta11izer]

Класс, смотрю и вдохновляюсь твоими видео) лежит у меня один страт, точнее дека, от Орфея, вся в растресканном лаке. Уже начал собирать, посмотрим что выйдет)

[@8BombCustom]

Спасибо. 👍

[@leahmatata5]

Beautyful

[@y2ksierra]

Beautiful work. Would love my R8 to have real lacquer applied. It’s wonderful in every way except for the VOS finish.

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@JONNIE_ROCKER]

👍👍 love it

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

You absolutely nailed it, the top is a dream but the back really is an incredible achievement. ..how does she sound?

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you. Now it sounds much better

[@papablue3015]

Very nice job! Murphys lab couldn't do any better!😊

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

They probably could but I suppose it would take them a lot more time.

[@amslu]

This is amazing! Gibson Custom shop should hire you as an consultant 😅 Any tips on aging white tuner keys?

[@successfulerror]

put them in a cup of strong coffee

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you. It depends of type of plastic. Maybe coffee will work. Try alcohol dyes with isopropyl and oart of acetone

[@matthewf1979]

Yeah, real Gibson Custom Shop lacquer is that bad. It makes people think they’re fake, apparently. Gibson changed a formulation in the dye in late 2018 for the “60th Anniversary” model. The more you handle the guitar, the worse the binding bleed gets. I’ve tried scraping the binding and refinishing with a tinted clear. It comes right back. I’m gathering supplies to refinish the entire guitar now, without binding bleed. I just need the silkscreen and the rubber ink stamp for the serial number. Both are on order. I won’t be relicing the guitar beyond a little deep freeze. I’ll let that happen over time.

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you Matt.

[@brunoferrerotattoo4620]

wonderful job...I put my guitar (strat) in the freezer and the cracking formed perfectly, but when it returned to room temperature they were all gone... LOL!

[@8BombCustom]

This is a normal situation. It's just that your nitro is soft or isn't dry enough yet. Do a few cycles. In any case, cracks will appear over time.

[@brunoferrerotattoo4620]

It's a guitar that's been painted for more than 10 years, but I'm going to paint it a few more times...thanks a lot for your help Friend@@8BombCustom

[@Flamemanish]

Hey Dr. Nitro, I really like your work. Do you have a tip for me how I can darken my rosewood fretboard on a Strat to look more like a dark Brazilian rosewood board? Thank you in advance

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you. Try wood stain, tham danish oil.

[@delcuze]

beautifull

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you

[@Was-WG]

Woow well done brother Amazing Job you should send your CV and this video to Nashville Les Paul Gibson Factory definitely you will be supervisor And teach them how to paint the guitar well because I bought New Les Paul Classic for 2000€ I found a lot of mistakes in paint Cause there are no experts or quality controllers Unfortunately but I have Japanese Guitar still mush better Made then USA Japan better neck and paint

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you! 😊

[@darthsensei3838]

You’re very talented. Looks great. That is absolutely not a chibson 😂

[@8BombCustom]

Thank you 😁

[@qua7771]

You could make a guitar tanning bed for fading the finish.

[@chuckwolfboyer7830]

YOU NEED TO GO AND SHOW GIBSON HOW TO PAINT 😊