Refinishing a nice mandolin

[MediumMando5722]

I inherited a 2016 Gibson Doyle Lawson that belonged to my dad. He played it for a few years, but it was not his primary instrument for the bulk of his career. The main one is a Sparks that means a lot to me.

Here’s the thing... I love how the F-5 plays and sounds, but it’s a little fancy for me. In a perfect world, it’d have a speed neck, much darker finish, and satin nickel hardware with black buttons.

I can swap out the tailpiece and tuners without much issue, but the refinish and speed neck would obviously be irreversible. I probably won’t refinish it, but the speed neck is going to happen.

Just curious on opinions on doing stuff like this to higher end instruments.

[BrianWilliam]

Do you plan to resell it? If not, make it yours.

[MediumMando5722]

Do you plan to resell it? If not, make it yours.

The sensible side of me says sell it and get exactly what I want. However, I really love how it plays and sounds, and it was my dad’s.

[Jim Garber]

Keep it cosmetically the way it is but make it so you love playing it. Plus you can think of your Dad whenever you play it. If you hated the way it played or sounded I would say sell it and get what you want. Doesn't look that fancy to me...

[MediumMando5722]

Keep it cosmetically the way it is but make it so you love playing it. Plus you can think of your Dad whenever you play it. If you hated the way it played or sounded I would say sell it and get what you want. Doesn't look that fancy to me...

It’s the combination of the really light burst, the gold hardware, and pearl truss rod cover. My plan is satin nickel Waverly tuners, nickel James tailpiece, and a plain black truss rod cover with my dad’s signature on it.

My hand sticks to glossy nitro really bad, so the speed neck is gonna happen, too.

[Buck]

Do the speed neck. Learn to love the rest. It's part of the character of the instrument. Plus a refinish is expensive, it diminishes the instrument value, and there's no guarantee it won't change the sound that you already note you love.

[MediumMando5722]

I want to do Waverlys because my dad was an engineer who really appreciated quality gears. Seriously, the amount of time he spent explaining why he was dissatisfied with particular gear systems in different things is probably about how much most people spend watching TV.

I think the engraved truss rod cover with his signature would be cool, too.

[pheffernan]

Just curious on opinions on doing stuff like this to higher end instruments.

Since you’re asking, I like the idea of the truss rod cover, and I have no issue with having it speednecked so that you can play it comfortably. I’d leave the aesthetics alone and remember them fondly as the ones my dad chose.

[allenhopkins]

2¢ worth:

Swap out tuners, tailpiece and truss rod cover, but keep the originals, so that when/if you sell or trade it, you can let the next owner put the originals back on.

If you must have the "speed neck," go ahead, but realize that a de-finished neck makes it less attractive to some.

As to darkening the sunburst -- your call (actually, as the owner, everything is "your call") -- but that's the most serious, irreversible step. I wouldn't, but it ain't my Gibby. There does come a point where trading the instrument in for one with your preference in esthetics -- one that has comparable sound and playability, but lacks the family connection -- might make more economic sense.

If the economics of the question are a consideration, a Lawson with original features is going to be more attractive on the market than one that's been customized, in most cases. If resale/market value doesn't enter into the equation, then do whatever will make it suit you the best.

[stevojack665]

You might try knocking the gloss down on the neck instead of a full speedneck.
Tape off the headstock and heel and use scotch-brite to bring it to a satin.
You can always shine it up again if you'd like to sell it down the road.

[CWRoyds]

I would do the speed neck, and replace the hardware you don't like, but leave the finish alone.
If you ever want to sell it, you can put the original hardware back on, or offer to include it in the sale.

The finish on that model is not flashy.
It is just a nice classic sunburst.

Then again, it is just an instrument, not a museum piece.
Maybe you should just do what you like to it, and get back to playing it.

[Steve Ostrander]

if it were me, I wouldn’t change anything that couldn’t be reversed. I’d keep it just as my dad played it. But it’s not mine, it’s yours, and you’re free to do as you wish. Be advised that a speed neck and refinish will undoubtedly devalue the instrument. How much? You won’t know until you try to sell it.

[MediumMando5722]

The Sparks, which he had for 30 years and wore the finish off and had refretted twice is the one I’m precious about. It needs a new tailpiece (severely vent hook), but it’s staying as-is. He got this one maybe 4 years ago, played it a lot, but aside from a ding on the side of the headstock, it looks virtually brand new.

I’ve always removed the finish, then oil & waxed the necks on all my instruments. If I did the Scotch brite thing to this one, could I polish it to completely original? I’m assuming so, as my Eastman started off as a matte finish, and playing it polished the neck to a high gloss.