Been AGES, hasn't it?

I have been out of the guitar buying game for some time, just busy with life and busy with taking care of my sick wife that I disappeared from blogging. 

I had (have still) some guitars in Japan that I delayed shipping for 2 years...yeah ridiculous but I just forgot about them and I suppose was avoiding the heart attack the shipping fees would amount to. 

Well a couple of week ago I bit the bullet and had the higher end models shipped as they were too important to have go missing. 

So $900 later in shipping fees they arrived at my doorstep (5 of em). 

They are as follows:

1981 Argus AA ES-335

One of the coolest of the rare brands of MIJ, short lived high end & made under Mr Shiino.

It seems they used various builders depending on the model of guitar made.

They all came with classic braided pickups that had no markings on the underside but honestly sound as good as DRY Z's (perhaps they are?).

All lacquer, flamed maple sandwich with awesome details such as flamed maple inside the cavities.

Fret edge binding which has yellowed beautifully along with a super dark rosewood board that almost looks ebony. Possibly Brazilian, who knows.

I have a few 335s and this might be my new fave, taking the place of my 76 Heerby.

1981 Vint*** Les Paul

Next up is another rare brand, I bought this on a buy it now for so ridiculously cheap as the owner had no idea what it was and most likely figured it to be junk.

The 3 photos were old webcam quality but I could see what looked like aniline dye fading and fret binding.

I am so happy I hit that double digit BIN.

I am almost positive that this LP was made at the same factory the Argus LPs were, same knob placement, bridge/tail, same brown back plastics, same inlays, and same pup rings tight against the fretboard.

Will update the others later...this takes too damn long haha. 

Lacquer has sat for awhile to off gas so polished it up a bit, reamed the overflow of lacquer out of the pot and switch holes (minus a little piece chipping off and patching it back with some thinner).

Put the bridge posts back in yada yada.

Managed to shoot 3 coats of Nitro today after work, used as the base coat/sealer.
Putting clear lacquer on as a base vs sanding sealer is my preferred method since lacquer is so much easier to sand off if ever a refinish is needed again in the future.
Plus it makes things SO much easier to sand back a mistake in the bursting/colouring without hitting the wood.
Here are a few shots while it was curing in our warm spring sun.

Cured for 1.5 hours (below), VERY slightly soft if you press on it but hard enough to wet sand with 400 grit.

Will check it tomorrow to see if there are any pores or raised grain. If not she will be ready for her 1st coat of yellow/amber. =D

Managed to get the rest sanded off yesterday and boy my hand today is paying the price lol.
Sucks getting old folks =P

I followed up with some nice Russet Amber Analine Dye coat to get that end grain curled flame to pop.

When I applied it I thought "oh shit this is too dark!" but after it dried and I sanded it out it got to where I was hoping it would be! Whew...

Better photos here with my MKII vs the cell phone ones above and previous. 

And a shot showing off my sanded area making the top flat aka a 50's Les Paul.

I will keep updating here for those few who care to check it out.

Not much interest on the forums so not gonna bother with that avenue any more.

Been way way too long, right?

Don't have this yet but bought last year and need to get it shipped along with too much else I have been procrastinating on getting shipped.

At least that refrain tells me I can play what I have vs the thrill of always something new although getting different guitars can be a fun learning experience.

This year is the year I thin out my shit...sold 3 in the past week and much more to go.

After having a life threatening issue 2 weeks ago I now realize that if something were to happen to me, my poor wife will be left with all of it and having to use so much of her time to try and figure out what is what, what it is worth, and deal with difficult people and I could not do that to her.

Better to save money and minimize my life to be safe, right?

Anyways, onto some non-depressing cool stuff.

LOVE my Elk amp, especially after I totally rebuilt it and have always loved these Elk Jag copies but this one is totally complete and original so I caved.

Nicely lacquered finish, mahogany body, fat flamed neck, a gummed up rosewood or ebony board, and what appears to be all original.

Never been a huge Jag fan but this is different and I am kinda excited =)