1950 Broadcaster brought back to life!

nacho · April 1st, 2008, 09:39 AM

I have just received Broadcaster 0635 from Clive Brown in the UK.
He did an incredible job on the body finish. The guitar was stripped natural many years before it got to me. It didnt look bad, it just wasnt right.
Clive has applied a finish thats just so close to the real thing its amazing

. Now I play and look at the guitar and forget about the fact the darn thing was ever stripped. It was always a fantastic guitar (great full size round neck, feather weight, great sounding pus...) now it also looks and feels fantastic.
Clive didnt do anything to the neck because although the headstock decal is a perfect replica (I believe the neck was severly polished, refretted and most of lacquer taken off the fretboard), there was still a good amount of original finish left in there and it feels old and right. I will try to post pictures asap see what you guys think.
To me it just feels, plays and looks like an original Broadcaster but for a small portion of the cost! In that way Clive has changed my view of the market a bit. I always thought if I was to keep something, that should be solely clean and original vintage guitars that would be worth collecting. But with these restoration jobs he does...

NOwadays I dont know anymore if it makes sense to collect expensive clean original guitars that you rarely play, or just stick to cheaper genuine great vintage instruments that you can drag around and with a little bit of patience and extra investment can be brought back to what they used to be! I wish I could do both

Nacho

Brad Miller · April 1st, 2008, 10:19 AM

Awesome story, can't wait to see the pics!

Hafner · April 1st, 2008, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nacho

I have just received Broadcaster 0635 from Clive Brown in the UK.
He did an incredible job on the body finish.
To me it just feels, plays and looks like an original Broadcaster but for a small portion of the cost! In that way Clive has changed my view of the market a bit. I always thought if I was to keep something, that should be solely clean and original vintage guitars that would be worth collecting. But with these restoration jobs he does...

NOwadays I dont know anymore if it makes sense to collect expensive clean original guitars that you rarely play, or just stick to cheaper genuine great vintage instruments that you can drag around and with a little bit of patience and extra investment can be brought back to what they used to be! I wish I could do both
Nacho

Dear Nacho, thank you for your thoughts. I share your opinion concerning refinishing vintage guitars - if the refin is made as a "restoration" to the original state of the guitar. And that is, why I do not understand, why some people are searching for originals only and let the price of refins drop dramatically - but the good thing of the story is: they become affordable.
I appreciate your efforts in restoring old Telecasters very much !

Rick W · April 1st, 2008, 02:04 PM

Hey Nacho,
I am looking forward to the pics as well. Do you have contact info for Clive? I've searched the web and can't find anything. I would like him to refin my '52.
Thanks!
Rick

holndav · April 1st, 2008, 02:40 PM

Yes, Broadcasters!!!

Cool! Thanks, Nacho.

PeterUK · April 1st, 2008, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nacho

I have just received Broadcaster 0635 from Clive Brown in the UK.

He did an incredible job on the body finish. The guitar was stripped natural many years before it got to me. It didnt look bad, it just wasnt right.
Clive has applied a finish thats just so close to the real thing its amazing.

Now I play and look at the guitar and forget about the fact the darn thing was ever stripped. It was always a fantastic guitar (great full size round neck, feather weight, great sounding pus...) now it also looks and feels fantastic.
Clive didnt do anything to the neck because although the headstock decal is a perfect replica (I believe the neck was severly polished, refretted and most of lacquer taken off the fretboard), there was still a good amount of original finish left in there and it feels old and right. I will try to post pictures asap see what you guys think.

To me it just feels, plays and looks like an original Broadcaster but for a small portion of the cost! In that way Clive has changed my view of the market a bit. I always thought if I was to keep something, that should be solely clean and original vintage guitars that would be worth collecting. But with these restoration jobs he does. NOwadays I dont know anymore if it makes sense to collect expensive clean original guitars that you rarely play, or just stick to cheaper genuine great vintage instruments that you can drag around and with a little bit of patience and extra investment can be brought back to what they used to be! I wish I could do both

Nacho

Nacho

He was working on it the last time I was at his workshop.

Told you he was good, didn't I? Just remember who put you onto him

Peter

boris bubbanov · April 1st, 2008, 03:39 PM

I think refins and other resuscitation projects are the closest a lot of us are ever going to get to a Tele that can actually see real use.

It sure can be a complicated subject. I wonder if one day folks will be criticized for erasing evidence of a 1970 restoration effort to create a more accurate current day restoration. Will there ever be a collector submarket for Joe X's "crucial refins" from his "golden era" of 1978-1982? Or could restoration technology be transformed in 5 years' time making most work done now seem botched?

As long as you can make use of the guitar and really forget the new work is there, that's enough love for me. Nice post.

Bob Marlec · April 1st, 2008, 03:46 PM

I was born in june 1950. Please say me if it's my hidden twin.

I hope for you it's in cracking form as much as me!

jimmybusk · April 1st, 2008, 06:51 PM

I can't wait to see the pics, Nacho. I got 3 0ld blackguards myself, all refins ,2 that I still have to put together. 'Nothing like those old beefy necks !!!!

olewichita · April 1st, 2008, 07:19 PM

sweet nacho... if i'd find a stipped/beatup/badrefin blackguard or whiteguard for the right price i'd go for it and have jonathan wilson do a refin and couldn't be happier... tj

Bill · April 1st, 2008, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nacho

NOwadays I dont know anymore if it makes sense to collect expensive clean original guitars that you rarely play, or just stick to cheaper genuine great vintage instruments that you can drag around and with a little bit of patience and extra investment can be brought back to what they used to be!

Glad to see you've finally come around to my point of view. To me, on a solid body guitar, the finish represents 1 percent of the guitar and 50 percent of the price.

Just isn't justified in terms of a musical instrument. As opposed to a financial investment.

Lostheart · April 2nd, 2008, 02:43 AM

Clive once send me a couple of pics and one of them was a 52 Tele that he did for you and it looked amazing...

Cheers,

Sascha

62_Inca_Esquire · April 2nd, 2008, 02:45 AM

Nacho - I just want to tell you that youve been doing a GREAT thing, preserving and teaching about one of the greatest guitars ever built.

Thanks.

danocaster · April 2nd, 2008, 03:20 AM

WE NEED PICS !!!!

mike03870 · April 2nd, 2008, 11:10 AM

Nacho - I'm doing the same with a Nocaster. I thank you for hooking me up with Clive. In fact, He forwarded pix of 2 broadcasters he had just completed for you and they got my heart pumping.

As an aside, I'm debating a refret. I want to play this thing and the frets are flat. Again, the investment end of things suffers.

Mike

Grin'n'pick · April 2nd, 2008, 11:27 AM

I think you have a very good point Nacho. Can't wait to see the pics!

ganttmann · April 2nd, 2008, 11:36 AM

"Player" guitars make so much more sense. I can't play right on vintage frets and I prefer a flatter than vintage radius on the fretboard. I just traded off a wonderful old Gibson ES-330 because I couldn't play it and it would have diminished the value of the guitar too much to have it refretted. Plus - Who wants to take an instrument worth $20K or $30K to a bar gig?

Gantt

Quote:

Originally Posted by nacho

I have just received Broadcaster 0635 from Clive Brown in the UK.
I always thought if I was to keep something, that should be solely clean and original vintage guitars that would be worth collecting. But with these restoration jobs he does...

NOwadays I dont know anymore if it makes sense to collect expensive clean original guitars that you rarely play, or just stick to cheaper genuine great vintage instruments that you can drag around and with a little bit of patience and extra investment can be brought back to what they used to be! I wish I could do both

Nacho

odiemann · April 2nd, 2008, 11:49 AM

I agree with you, Nacho. I think one day the market will too. It is just taking some time.

nacho · April 2nd, 2008, 03:04 PM

Here is a link with some pics.
http://www.ranchoweb.com/public/?45714
I have to say the weather checking and finish texture is just amazing, maybe to fully appreciative in the pics.
I think the guitar is reborn!
NB

jwells393 · April 2nd, 2008, 03:14 PM

Looks great .......... who's to say it's been refinished?

PeterUK · April 2nd, 2008, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nacho

Here is a link with some pics.
http://www.ranchoweb.com/public/?45714
I have to say the weather checking and finish texture is just amazing, maybe to fully appreciative in the pics.
I think the guitar is reborn!
NB

Wow!

I know how I'll be asking Clive to do with my 51 "pine" P-bass.

Peter

ajgus · April 2nd, 2008, 06:37 PM

Nacho, I've read alot about you on this site. Its great to finally read one of your posts. Those pics look amazing!!

BrianF · April 2nd, 2008, 06:48 PM

that has to be one of the best if not the best relic finishes I've ever seen!

badlands · April 2nd, 2008, 07:34 PM

Sweeeeeeeet!!

More pics

telex · April 2nd, 2008, 08:58 PM

Clive is a real artist, and craftsman!

It's great to know that a "stripped" guitar can regain it's former glory.

April 1st, 2008, 09:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
nacho Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 379	1950 Broadcaster brought back to life! I have just received Broadcaster 0635 from Clive Brown in the UK. He did an incredible job on the body finish. The guitar was stripped natural many years before it got to me. It didnt look bad, it just wasnt right. Clive has applied a finish thats just so close to the real thing its amazing . Now I play and look at the guitar and forget about the fact the darn thing was ever stripped. It was always a fantastic guitar (great full size round neck, feather weight, great sounding pus...) now it also looks and feels fantastic. Clive didnt do anything to the neck because although the headstock decal is a perfect replica (I believe the neck was severly polished, refretted and most of lacquer taken off the fretboard), there was still a good amount of original finish left in there and it feels old and right. I will try to post pictures asap see what you guys think. To me it just feels, plays and looks like an original Broadcaster but for a small portion of the cost! In that way Clive has changed my view of the market a bit. I always thought if I was to keep something, that should be solely clean and original vintage guitars that would be worth collecting. But with these restoration jobs he does... NOwadays I dont know anymore if it makes sense to collect expensive clean original guitars that you rarely play, or just stick to cheaper genuine great vintage instruments that you can drag around and with a little bit of patience and extra investment can be brought back to what they used to be! I wish I could do both Nacho

April 1st, 2008, 10:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
Brad Miller Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kokomo, Mississippi Age: 35 Posts: 636 8 Photos	Awesome story, can't wait to see the pics! __________________ http://www.myspace.com/cbm1973

April 1st, 2008, 02:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
Rick W TDPRI Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: The Great Northwest Posts: 81	Hey Nacho, I am looking forward to the pics as well. Do you have contact info for Clive? I've searched the web and can't find anything. I would like him to refin my '52. Thanks! Rick __________________ Gear: Guitar, amp and chord.

April 1st, 2008, 02:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
holndav Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Tampa FL Posts: 1,315 44 Photos	Yes, Broadcasters!!! Cool! Thanks, Nacho. __________________ "If we can't be free at least we can be cheap". FZ

April 1st, 2008, 03:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 8,539	I think refins and other resuscitation projects are the closest a lot of us are ever going to get to a Tele that can actually see real use. It sure can be a complicated subject. I wonder if one day folks will be criticized for erasing evidence of a 1970 restoration effort to create a more accurate current day restoration. Will there ever be a collector submarket for Joe X's "crucial refins" from his "golden era" of 1978-1982? Or could restoration technology be transformed in 5 years' time making most work done now seem botched? As long as you can make use of the guitar and really forget the new work is there, that's enough love for me. Nice post. __________________ Bubban0v

April 1st, 2008, 03:46 PM	#8 (permalink)
Bob Marlec Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Brittany Age: 58 Posts: 233	I was born in june 1950. Please say me if it's my hidden twin. I hope for you it's in cracking form as much as me! __________________ P.S. Don't mock my English because i learned it mostly while reading this forum !

April 1st, 2008, 06:51 PM	#9 (permalink)
jimmybusk Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kew Gardens N.Y. Posts: 414	I can't wait to see the pics, Nacho. I got 3 0ld blackguards myself, all refins ,2 that I still have to put together. 'Nothing like those old beefy necks !!!! __________________ Click on my name to see a couple more carved guitar threads .:

April 1st, 2008, 07:19 PM	#10 (permalink)
olewichita Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: austin, tx Posts: 1,260	sweet nacho... if i'd find a stipped/beatup/badrefin blackguard or whiteguard for the right price i'd go for it and have jonathan wilson do a refin and couldn't be happier... tj

April 2nd, 2008, 02:43 AM	#12 (permalink)
Lostheart Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Germany Posts: 1,408	Clive once send me a couple of pics and one of them was a 52 Tele that he did for you and it looked amazing... Cheers, Sascha __________________ Casper: "Mmmmm. Butterscotch, yo. That's the best!" From the movie Kids

April 2nd, 2008, 02:45 AM	#13 (permalink)
62_Inca_Esquire Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 872	Nacho - I just want to tell you that youve been doing a GREAT thing, preserving and teaching about one of the greatest guitars ever built. Thanks.

April 2nd, 2008, 03:20 AM	#14 (permalink)
danocaster Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 526 9 Photos	WE NEED PICS !!!! __________________ Louder isnt better - it's just louder ( and better )

April 2nd, 2008, 11:10 AM	#15 (permalink)
mike03870 TDPRI Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 20	Nacho - I'm doing the same with a Nocaster. I thank you for hooking me up with Clive. In fact, He forwarded pix of 2 broadcasters he had just completed for you and they got my heart pumping. As an aside, I'm debating a refret. I want to play this thing and the frets are flat. Again, the investment end of things suffers. Mike

April 2nd, 2008, 11:27 AM	#16 (permalink)
Grin'n'pick Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sarf Eas' Laandon Posts: 1,952 38 Photos	I think you have a very good point Nacho. Can't wait to see the pics!

April 2nd, 2008, 11:49 AM	#18 (permalink)
odiemann Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Denver Age: 41 Posts: 1,406	I agree with you, Nacho. I think one day the market will too. It is just taking some time. __________________ It just got better, I think

April 2nd, 2008, 03:04 PM	#19 (permalink)
nacho Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 379	pictures Here is a link with some pics. http://www.ranchoweb.com/public/?45714 I have to say the weather checking and finish texture is just amazing, maybe to fully appreciative in the pics. I think the guitar is reborn! NB

April 2nd, 2008, 03:14 PM	#20 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 12,245 101 Photos	Looks great .......... who's to say it's been refinished? __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" _ Guys - learn to disable the flash on your digital cameras.

April 2nd, 2008, 06:37 PM	#22 (permalink)
ajgus Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: chicago Posts: 2,323	Nacho, I've read alot about you on this site. Its great to finally read one of your posts. Those pics look amazing!! __________________ "If you don't have a toothbrush & you don't have a Telecaster...you're in trouble"- Jim Weider

April 2nd, 2008, 06:48 PM	#23 (permalink)
BrianF Friend of Leo's Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Carlsbad, Ca Posts: 2,155 7 Photos	that has to be one of the best if not the best relic finishes I've ever seen!

April 2nd, 2008, 07:34 PM	#24 (permalink)
badlands Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: sweden Age: 33 Posts: 173	Sweeeeeeeet!! More pics

April 2nd, 2008, 08:58 PM	#25 (permalink)
telex Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New Hampshire, USA Age: 39 Posts: 538	Clive is a real artist, and craftsman! It's great to know that a "stripped" guitar can regain it's former glory.