Refinishing a Rough Vintage Tele That's Been Stripped

Hi all!

I recently purchased a stripped '67 tele. It's a bit rough around the edges and the grain is a bit funky on the back from wear. There a few minor gouges, as well.

How difficult will it be to prep the body for a refinish? Is it even possible? I am looking for a smooth NOS-type look, and am not interested in a relic look. The neck is wonderfully worn, and I plan on leaving it as is. Would that look strange with a relatively clean refinish? Maybe I need a light relic.

Thanks in advance!
Bob

Mark Jenny is the man to talk to.

Thank you, Fezz. I was already thinking about looking into things with him. Anyone here with practical experience who cares to chip in?

Mark did my '65 Strat:
https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/8329_1107971391093_3106085_n.jpg

I did this one with Duplicolor:
https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/8329_1107960630824_927333_n.jpg

The difference is the '65 is the real deal, the one I did is a parts guitar.

If you plan to finish the guitar with an opaque finish (paint), it would be relatively simple to fill the gouges, and ratty edges, sand them smooth, spray sealer, primer, color coats and clear coats. In my experience, if you just sand, and leave the gouges and rough edges, then paint over them, it does look funny, because you've got perfect paint covering what was obviously a physical injury--the mind expects to see paint damage along with the underlying wood damage, but it isn't there. Maybe you could paint, then like you suggest, lightly relic, especially those spots that have visible wood damage under the finish, so there is some paint damage to make the boo-boo look believable.

Either way, I don't think it will look bad with your neck. I had a Jaguar once that had a perfect sunburst body, but the neck was so worn it was sticky and I refinished it. I can't explain it, unless somebody swapped the neck, but it had markings that were consistent with the guitar's age--anyway, I'd keep the neck intact if you like it, and concentrate on the body.

Thank you, Stratenstein. Good info.

Fezz that blue is sweet, do you remember the name of it?

Ocean Turquoise .