What Did I Just Do To MY Gibson Les Paul Goldtop?

WARNING: The following film contains footage some people may find distressing. :-)
People on instagram voted yes, 85%, so I went for it.
The guitar is my 1994 Gibson Les Paul Classic Goldtop. I have had it for 12 years, played it, fallen in love, fallen out of love, so the relationship needed to be spruced up a little.... :-)
Thank you everyone so much for watching.
Thank you all for supporting me by buying my backing tracks and donating on Patreon.
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[@danishpete]

I mightjust put robotuners on it as well :-).

[@mattburdock1734]

Noooooo.... It's like you've got a perfectly aged cheese and you're gonna grab a bottle of WKD from the fridge ;-)

[@KozmykJ]

Hahaha

[@braveandnew7817]

do it......

[@bengosling3838]

Doodle on it with a sharpie too 👍

[@Steaminlidz]

You should do a neck shave and put a Floyd on..

[@steverolfeca]

Pfft... Up here in the Frozen North, life is so much simpler. Step 1: Leave guitar in car for an hour or two any time between December and March. Step 2: Bring guitar into house. Step 3: Open case.

[@adamterry6383]

boy did I learn that the hard way. Years back I had a guitar shipped during the dead of winter....yeah...not doing that again.

[@Riverdeepnwide]

We just got through the coldest fcksht November on record. Damn 🌬💨❄️⛄️my balls already feel like that Les Paul's lacquer looks.

[@lovesgibson]

Does that really make the lacquer crack?

[@adamterry6383]

absolutely. I believe Nitro finishes are a bit more susceptible to it than other finishes. Don't quote me on that though. I got lucky with most of it being on the headstock and around the neck joint. @@lovesgibson

[@thecanadianbassgearshow3332]

I live in Quebec Canada .. my rickenbacker is cracked everywhere hahaha

[@lacroix9407]

now that's a proper Les Paul cold top

[@yallevereatenbeans2723]

Lacroix en fonte underrated comment

[@coat.thik1]

#commentimemorabili

[@ScotianBlooded]

gibson would of charged 2k for this job

[@MrDustinclement]

Hahahaha 💀

[@TheIkaika777]

A proper Les Paul Goldtop is one that looks brand new with fake looking checking?

[@droogii1142]

Ironic that a scratch plate, an invention that was made to protect your guitar from scratches, put the biggest mark in your lovely guitar.

[@Reveltt]

It IS called the "scratch plate" and not the "anti-scratch plate"

[@solan417]

Well the pick-guard did guard it from his pick so mission accomplished lol

[@walman16]

Droog II, got a nice big mark on my goldtop. Said the same thing too!

[@alexterrero716]

Had the same issue on 2 Gold Top Traditionals from 2012, unbelievably stupid design

[@drewmello6462]

And who cares what ppl say.... it's YOUR guitar. It's like if you got it refinished, it's a PERSONAL choice!

[@09numbers09]

"He's not gonna say it, he's not gonna say it, he's not gonna say it..." "Let's crack on" Ayyyyyyyyy

[@vincentcabral1173]

Lee is probably weeping in the back room. 🤣😂

[@Nullllus]

I like putting distressed look on my guitars so people would consider me a seasoned guitarist without me doing any practice.

[@chrishough8606]

Why not just practice then

[@morganghetti]

I think Pete qualifies as a seasoned player who has put in the practice.

[@GJSsongsmith]

Me too !

[@GJSsongsmith]

Think I’m allowed as I’ve played for 50 years and have taught over 1500 people how to play !

[@ctrockstar7168]

That works great until you start playing

[@ArielPosen]

We all know a guy...

[@danishpete]

Who's dick colour doesn't match his body!!! :)

[@steveredenbaugh9058]

@@danishpete !!

[@jpbott]

I hope you don’t have to replace all the electronics after getting all that liquid in them. I’m scared. 😬 Glad to hear it played after all.

[@danielarifin7805]

@@danishpete Hahahahahahaha

[@tastedcutlet]

@@jpbott as I understand the liquid is not water but liquid carbon dioxide or smth like it. So no worries. This compressed air stuff is actually supposed to be used with electronics, of course not head down, but I think they thought about what if all the air goes out when you use it, and the liquid goes to the gear.

[@javierservigon]

I totally get it, about 35 years ago my dad got me a millenium falcon and the first thing i did was use a lighter to burn little part of it so that it looked like it had been laser blasted, get some milage on it if you will.

[@Nickpaflas]

Star Wars really was the first space movie to get that right, wasn't it? Everything was dirty.

[@caesar3693]

@@Nickpaflas Lucas was notorious for pushing an "imperfect universe". Everything had to look real, used, and dirty. It worked out great.

[@Joe-hl2ts]

When I was a kid I played with action figures and I drew blood on their bodies

[@annonuhm617]

I owned an X-Wing model that had foils with burn marks delivered with it that were charged statically, so i could put them on and off many times. We need fake relic foils, lol.

[@jjbast]

Comparing a kid's toy with a guitar... Damn nerds! 😂

[@tigertigerpantherfox3714]

Might be worth mentioning to any DIYers to mask off the pickups first to avoid freezing the wax which can crack and potentially break a coil winding! Drop out the pots & selector switch to avoid costly repairs or replacements! I for one like the relic look if it done right. Try not to use the freeze spray in one area for too long as this will create the china glazed look which never looks right on any guitar.

[@BoudreauGuitars]

Don’t forget the headstock!

[@klasewiberg]

Thats what I thought as well

[@jvanb231]

Kind of unatural otherwise.. What about the back?

[@styx85]

The "don't neglect the balls" of guitar relicing.

[@Ripprock1]

Boudreau Guitars 😂

[@lynyrddeville]

I was thinking the same thing. I always loved the way a heavily distressed headstock looks on an old Les Paul with all of the cracks spaced tightly and I really like how they look after all of the sharp corners get bashed in a little bit. Also I think you probably need to slather on the really thick covering the whole body then after it's sat for a little Then clean it off. Oh and for extra badass points top wrap that baby!

[@MykelObvious]

Time to relic the bridge, tailpiece and the pickup covers!!! That came out very cool. I like how it looks clear at one angle and dark at another! Nice job!! And amazing playing as always!

[@aidansmith6360]

All of a sudden the used guitar market is flooded with botched DIY relic jobs...

[@andrebenoit404]

Good. Brings up the value of anything else.

[@_nickoustic_7923]

It already is lol I’ve gotten some pretty damn good deals with some “unique” qualities lol

[@mikefenton5634]

@@_nickoustic_7923 Same. I've gotten good deals on some projects with nice wood because some clod couldn't be bothered to finish it properly.

[@TrondClemensen]

As long as it still plays good, I'd happily buy a botched relic job for a bargain price 👍😁🤟

[@RoloTomasie]

Next week's video: how I repaired the nitro finish on my gold top Les Paul!

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

Um yeah I am 100% doing this!!!!

[@Douglas_I]

Hi Robert! Did you make a video when you did it that I can check it? (Assuming you already did it since your comment is 2 years old)

[@kieranoconnor333]

This lesson taught me two things... - Cracking in the finish is cool - I need a Gold top Les Paul in my life

[@peterlukach310]

As long as you don't add a Floyd rose rock on.

[@daemonelectricity]

"In before the Floyd Rose hate." oops... too late. ;)

[@74dartman13]

There's a different feeling that a reliced guitar has. It's hard to explain. I reliced a Strat and I love it! You don't have to worry about dents and dings. You just play the hell out of it! They feel comfortable, like a worn pair of jeans. Some hate em...I love em! Nice job!👍😎🎸🎶

[@ChrisBuckGuitar]

In before the hate! 😝 Looks great man! Too cool 👌🏻

[@daemonelectricity]

Just because you say you're "in before" something that's obviously going to be controversial doesn't really many anything except "first post consolation prize." It doesn't invalidate the hate.

[@ChrisBuckGuitar]

@@daemonelectricity...I'm way too stoned to respond to that right now 😳

[@brendancarbone7621]

@@ChrisBuckGuitar Inb4 Daemon Electricity walks back his hot take after listening to a Buck and Evans track

[@daemonelectricity]

@@brendancarbone7621 I made no hot takes on people's playing ability. I'm just sick of the idea that repeating trends and memes equates to a valid point. We've replaced any kind of critical thinking with "I get that reference."

[@giddyrightonup]

Buck And Evans I wouldn’t bother, his responses only get more confusing. Sounds like a fun guy 👍🏻

[@littlefury]

Never mind the dings, it's the dongs that matter. lol

[@BeatPoet67]

Well KZbin kids. I'm going to suggest you don't try doing this with your dad's guitar for a "birthday present". Just in case...

[@daemonelectricity]

First Tide pods, now this.

[@Voima]

So as long as it's in it's case I can still try it?

[@Joe-hl2ts]

One of the reasons I don't want kids. They might mess with my guitars!!

[@weswheel4834]

I was going to practice in Andertons first. Apparently they've got loads of spare guitars just lying around.

[@Joe-hl2ts]

@@weswheel4834 there is that room full of expensive PRS's and fenders and gibsons

[@JakeTeee]

Great vid!! Man, today I bought custom shop 57 goldtop VOS and during my driving back home I watched your video, first thing what I have done was cracking the finish this way!! 😂😂😂🎸🖤

[@erajad]

Ha! Well, that so reminds me of ... oh, around 1975-76 or so. I had a 1969 Tele Thinline (natural mahogany, maple neck) then. I was in band that gigged occasional weekends. There was one weekend when we had consecutive gigs on Friday and Saturday nights, but in different locations in the Toronto environs. Rather than unload/re-load the van, we just left the gear in place on the Friday night. When I pulled my Tele out on Saturday ... crazy cracks all over the top (nothing on the neck)! It was the depths of winter, and the Canadian deep-freeze had done its work. I was gutted, but got over it! So Pete's relic project here has a kind of horror/fascination. I agree, though: it turned out quite nicely. :)

[@bbmade]

Get a brown or black water soluble dye to wick into the cracks. A raw umber color might mimic the oxidation that occurs when the metal bronzing powder is exposed to oxygen. Anyhow...you didn’t hear any of that from me.

[@andyt6191]

It goes green as there was copper flake suspended in the lacquer! And when copper oxidises it goes green!

[@bbmade]

Yep www.crescentbronze.com

[@Thirteen31Music]

This is 18 mins of pure horror to me

[@danishpete]

Thank you for watching the whole thing :-)...

[@bobfletcher8196]

Made me cry.

[@stevehenson5737]

I can't help but wonder if the people who this to their guitars also cut big holes in their car fenders because a rusty pile "looks cool". It isn't my guitar though so he flush it down the toilet if that's what he wants

[@rustyshackleford8272]

@@stevehenson5737 except cars and guitars are nothing alike you massive dumbass

[@ctrockstar7168]

@@rustyshackleford8272 stop projecting

[@robotandgirl1170]

When Pete busted out the hairdryer (and the coffee, teabags) I thought he was gonna do a hair tutorial! 🙃

[@madgeniusmusic]

I was initially screaming NOOOOOO, but it actually came out looking rather badass, well done sir.

[@FlesHBoX]

I could never do it to my own, but that does look pretty neat.

[@SpedSpedding]

Looks sick man. You have all the best guitars. 😂👌🏻

[@thegreatdel]

A guy I used to tech for had a 1980 goldtop that had checked laquer. Sweat so on had gotten into the cracks and the gold had started to tarnish and turn green. It looked amazing. I loved that guitar, had a killer tone for slide.

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

Sweat, the magic ingredient.

[@GavinMcLeod]

Joey, what the hell did you do to pete?

[@modelcitizen1977]

"Let me just try to take this camera..." holds up videographer's wet dream.

[@freekvandiepen3539]

That was literally me! Hahahah but why tf does he have a c300!!!???? And I don't! :(

[@JohnKelly2]

Damn, it's ruined now. Send it to me for proper disposal

[@lukejacko888]

I didn't agree with but man what an awesome job you did Pete!!! It looks and sounds awesome!!!

[@rasmichael]

I love your stuff Pete, and you can play my guitars anytime. BUT, after today only under adult supervision.

[@mitchellwieler]

Looks amazing! Also my les paul has the same mark underneath the scratchplate as yours. It's because on mine and yours they screwed the hole on the side of the body where the binding is too low... Its sucks but oh well😜 P.S. do the headstock too!

[@MrBladle]

I was doubtfull at first, but it looks great!

[@vernonhoover1387]

It's has to be great to have vintage lp's to mess with.that's ridiculously cool!!! Great job Pete.you're one of my favorite's by far.and such a meaningful player.I wanna be like Pete when I grow up! And ill be 60 next year.lol

[@vernonhoover1387]

My goal in life is to play along with pete on my acoustic while he rips off some of his such structural and meaningful blues jams.let me know when you're in Ohio pete!

[@monadyne]

I absolutely love crackle on my guitars. My 1970 Les Paul Standard and my 1957 Les Paul Junior both have it. It's even more pronounced crackle on my mid 90's BluesHawk. On that guitar, the crackles started showing up within a couple of years of my buying the guitar. It's a good thing I love the effect! I'm sure many people would've sent the guitar back to the factory saying, "Hey, your finish is crap! This is a new guitar! Fix it!" If you do it again, Peter, I suggest you leave the hair dryer on each spot for a longer amount of time so the finish gets even hotter before applying the cold. If you do that, the crackles will be smaller and more numerous.

[@drewmello6462]

By the way DP, if you put shoe polish directly on the newly opened cracks, they will be much more noticeable.....I did it on my Fender "Classic Series Lacquer" strat a few yrs ago and it came out awesome! Just a tip from a guy from the States who wishes he play could half as good as the mighty Danish Pete Honore!! ;-)

[@ThisHolographicLife]

Drew Mello dark shoe polish?

[@drewmello6462]

@@ThisHolographicLife Yes, but you only leave it on the crack for a minute or two and then wipe it off. The polish will seep into the cracks and make them much more noticeable.

[@maxscardanelli6185]

Cheers for the tip man!

[@drewmello6462]

@@maxscardanelli6185 No problem, anytime!

[@justindoohan7956]

How has the natural aging of your classic series been? I own a classic 60's lacquer since 2013, and other than the normal dents and scratches the nitro doesn't seem to be wearing at all after thousands and thousands of hours of playing it hard and sweating. I understand it takes time, but something tells me it isn't real nitro like Fender would claim

[@joelhand1452]

The cracked nitro on old Les Paul headstocks looks nice too...

[@mattharrison4238]

That was amazing, I couldn’t believe how quick it cracked, crazy! Great stuff Pete!

[@nalinsingh5666]

That came out absolutely amazing, great video! I was thinking that it might be a cool idea for either you or the Andertons team to do a definitive video or rather definitive video series on DIY guitar relicing, you know supplies and methods. I think there is definitely the demand. You could maybe break into: body, plastics and metals for instance. Any way once again loved the vid!

[@charliefluff4382]

Why not, it is yours after all 🤔

[@ROCEREDSKULLDesign]

I just don't get this at all. Why? What? When? Where?Wah?

[@billy1858]

if its a keeper and its a look he wants ! why not.

[@TheDogPa]

I hear a couple weeks in a swamp works too...for what, I'm not sure.

[@christianbelanger621]

Why not?

[@daemonelectricity]

You know what this thread needs? Some KZbinr with 20K subscribers and his fanboys calling you a monster or a "dork" for second guessing these decisions. It's as if some people can simultaneously acknowledge that it's Pete's guitar to do with whatever he wants and be horrified. The duality of man, man.

[@southdank3190]

guess u dont have to... not ur guitar

[@barrycohen311]

You're a bloody madman. Villainous mate.

[@TunedupFlat]

Love it Pete! I had a 96 Classic that had that naturally from going straight on stage after sitting in the Canadian cold from gig to gig. Seeing your's makes me miss mine dearly. Cheers from Canada!

[@edmundramsey2453]

that is SICK

[@sapphirestrat]

Do the headstock pete, cracks look badass on the black!

[@pocketman5510]

Didn't know you had a channel Pete. So glad you do!!!!!!

[@markwright9352]

That’s worked out quite well Pete 👍🏻

[@jpfigueiredo]

That screw under the scratchplate... That's what hurt me the most.

[@Andromahlius]

You should do the headstock too

[@412willis]

My neck hurts from shaking my head back and forth (not up and down) for eighteen minutes.

[@imacashew.]

5:05 Damn dude you just went for it! 🤘🏻 I like your style ✌🏻❤️💪🏻

[@grassroots2112]

This is awesome I probably would have put some marking tape over the pickups though so no grounds got in there lol Other than that this is awesome Pete. Only time I like a goldtop was Joey's when I saw him on TPS

[@Nj1498]

Nah. That adds character! Plus, coffee will make the guitar smell awesome and fresh!

[@mrklin99]

Hello, Guitar Protective Services? I want to report a Gibson molestor. Yes, actual footage of abuse :O

[@absomaster3892]

I came in here thinking you were going to put a bigsby or something on there, but I actually like this.

[@MichaelDonlinAwesome]

That took guts. Great job!

[@brymills]

I kind of like the cracking look, couldn’t see the point of the gunk though?

[@justingarcia7722]

Bryan Mills I think it’s acting as a mild stain to just give the guitar a naturally darkened patina

[@AidanMillward]

Replicates the oxidation colours.

[@alecharwood9154]

@@AidanMillward I thought you were the F1 storytime guy, didn't realise we had so many interests in common

[@AidanMillward]

Alec Harwood I’m a trained music teacher 😎

[@untartelette7545]

Turned a perfectly aging finish into a caricature

[@jamessankey01]

I was skeptical at first, but that totally works. Kudos!

[@69goldtop14]

My friend had a 69 goldtop his mom gave him in 79 when we were in jr high he had it painted it came out perfect he left it in his car in freezing weather and it did a perfect finish relic job on it

[@slappop7082]

Just revealed! Pete's recent search history: - Luthiers in the Guildford area - Emergency 24h luthiers in the Guildford area - Is there such a thing as a 'guitar hospital'? - Is there such a thing as 'temporary insanity'? - Is it possible to 'turn back the hands of time'? - Regrets, I've had a few...

[@hybro8]

Never understood the relic thing, you're trying to emulate dings with history with dings for the sake of it

[@rabidchipmunk2641]

Some people just like the way it looks. Not much to understand.

[@pipmcsqueeza1017]

To be fair, most finish checking my guitars have doesn't have a sexier history than "my vacuum cleaner knocked it off its stand". Also the one's with slightly less embarrassing stories, I've already forgotten and were probably just the guitar falling off the couch or some such.

[@niklev8465]

Before doing it, I would have removed the pickups, pots, and switch. The way you did it was brutal !

[@jamesmulligan7413]

Looks great man, ignore the haters

[@erpece]

Cool how your gold top plays bluesy licks in the background by itself somehow...

[@fourkray4825]

It looks great! I'd do more!

[@danishpete]

I did :)

[@fourkray4825]

@@danishpete Awesome :)

[@bradcogan8588]

I quite like it. As long as it's done properly. My Les Paul Custom is prestine and most of the time stays in its case. My battered Telecaster however gets played all the time. Method in the madness.

[@jesusblessthesecommentsamen]

Seems to crack long lines spraying across circles if swirl and close up. If you want to relic the chrome spray it with gibson pump polish learnt that the hard way.

[@ronnienose8608]

Love the fact you're prepared to do this. Also, LPs look sooo much better without the scratchplate.

[@matthoward2179]

I may be the only one. But, I have never liked gold tops... so I say relic away. I do wish I could own a real Gibson someday though.

[@Davo2233]

Matt Howard agree

[@frankenstrat78]

Thank you Mr sleazy Pete for suggesting I relic my dear old dads spanking new 2018 goldtop...can't wait to see his face many thanks Pete

[@jimmyjimmy951]

I like it. Glad you stopped at that tasteful point..👍🇦🇺

[@cameronjack1095]

Don't crack the lacquer, all the tonewood will leak out and it'll start to sound like a Fender!

[@lukasjohansen_4]

😂😂

[@beesong2450]

Gibson should do a Cracked top models

[@mahdistasalman571]

Whenever I think about doing that to my Goldtop, I remember the big ass bill that I’ve paid 😂

[@81ghale]

I did the same to my classic series 50s lacquer Tele. I freaked out when all the cracks disappeared when I hit it with the heat again lol. It took a few tries before it completely took, but I really like it. Edit: if you do try this, make sure you have more than a couple cans of air!

[@deltafit]

And people pay THOUSANDS to get that done by Tom Murphy. I bet this whole time he just sits there with his hair dryer and compressed air fooling people it takes him hours! :D

[@andyt6191]

He uses a scalpel and has studied hundreds of guitars and knows how to make it look more genuine!

[@graysonadams2485]

@@andyt6191 agreed, I'll have none but the best damage my guitars!

[@jerrymorganjr]

Tom Murphy uses a razor blade and compared to real checking, it looks terrible. Looks fake because it is.

[@j_freed]

Shhh, the COA is worth thousands because of the social contract of Gibson owners....

[@customguitarkits6836]

I've seen a murphy and was horrendous, just so shockingly shit looking to me compared to proper aged guitars, you can't use a razor it needs freezer checking

[@alexdrapeau97]

is that a poly or nitro lacquer? would that work on my poly lacquered strat?

[@Nj1498]

At about 13:00 he broaches the subject. (It has to be nitrocellulose finished!)

[@Nj1498]

* 12:58

[@allstopblue5717]

Alex Drapeau has to be nitro. For poly some guys use an exacto knife and very carefully draw in the “cracks” by hand. It is very time consuming.

[@beaumontlowenstein9132]

Alex Drapeau It works on poly too, I just cracked (only icespray, and then a mixture of tobacco and ash) the fat laquer on my 1983 Fender Telecaster (Blonde) !!! Looks amazing ...

[@musicplaylistize]

@@beaumontlowenstein9132 do you have a photo on ig? I really want to sed that!

[@bintang_sakti]

Whoaaa🥵 now that guitar looks beautiful

[@enriquedelima396]

I love the goldtop without pickguard, the relic/vintage-style cracks just make me want to play some of that old school led zep style licks.

[@leegollin4417]

I played a thousand shows on my Black Custom and broke it in for real. This is just plain cheating. It doesn't look like an antique. It looks like neglect. But hey if you like it cool.

[@jdl2180]

You just don't get it!😭

[@dillavou444]

Looks killer. Best to leave the pickguard off, though. Cheers!

[@RobCabreraCh]

I love watching these types of videos. I love reliced guitars! But I wouldn't do this myself though, all my guitars are worn only by playing them.

[@rxdoctordaddy1795]

Those 1960 classic with the baked inlay will be collected at some point. Love what you did making it look more vintage. Gorgeous.

[@terrytickler]

Fab guitar

[@flobeeonekinobee2353]

Oh leave it be......on second thoughts fit a Floyd to it

[@Masterfighterx]

Looks so much better! Gives the guitar actual character rather than looking plain and just like any other gold top! Skide godt!

[@brentdhedrick]

Guitar folks are pissed because you ruined the finish on a gold top, junkies are pissed because you wasted a can of air on relic’ing a guitar instead of huffing it. Looks great man, it’s nice to make things your own!

[@13Hangfire]

*Fake cracks are for posers!*

[@danishpete]

I take it you own a 1954 gold top :)

[@mervolicious]

First. How stupid :D

[@Nj1498]

Murder!!!!!!!!! Just kidding, that's one of the best relics I've seen recently, you didn't go overboard with it.

[@vigilantebird8675]

This is so funny Pete, I literally left my 98 SG standard in the car last night to see if it would crack when I brought it inside in the morning. Turns out it hit negative -31.6 Celsius, so when I brought her inside she cracked immediately. I put her back in the case to let her warm up slowly so I didnt damage anything. What's cool is you can only see the cracks in direct light at certain angles. Like it's in the undercoat instead of the outer coat. Then today this video pops up. Awesome haha

[@betty4774]

#hate lol

[@tonefingerz2021]

Wow. I posted b4 watching. That's awesome dude.

[@tonyg6691]

The way pete plays his guitar is the way I imagine thor swings his hammer.

[@visualdragon]

Wow, that really improved the tone. It sounds so much more organic and dark. :P