Black Sparkle LUKE Finish Peeling Off Problem and Its Full Restoration

[Reggie Tan]

Dear Readers,

I have two identical LUKE Black Sparkle guitars bought about one year apart back in 2005 & 2006. These two guitars have always been kept in its original MusicMan (SKB) flight cases, in the study room when not in use, away from any heat source, sunlight or moisture. These two guitars were played mostly in a home studio environment and well taken care of. Sadly, one of them with the Robben Ford signature, the polyester finish started to peel off in 2014 and it became worse in 2015 until it got to a point where I can no longer leave it in that state of progressive destruction. One of my guitar buddies, Clinton said to me that he knew an Italian luthier, Luca in Singapore who could restore the guitar back to its former glory...and I was so pleased with the result - he did an excellent job in refinishing the body to the customised Purple Sparkle colour. I was glad that I sent the guitar to him for the complete restoration works. Here are the interesting article write-up (in 3 parts) put together by Clinton Carnegie, documenting the journey the LUKE guitar had gone through.

The Guitar Column: Music Man Luke Signature Model with Flaking Finish Problem
The Guitar Column: Refinishing A Music Man Luke Part 1
The Guitar Column: Refinishing A Music Man Luke Part 2 | The Final Reveal

If anyone has encountered a similar "peeling off" problem on the Luke guitar’s finish, please share with us in the forum. Thank you.

Reggie

 

[DrKev]

My thoughts, as I don't want to unduly worry anyone...

You indirectly but very clearly suggest a possibility of a problem with Music Man polyester finishes. Any suggestion that there is a problem with any manufacturer's finishes on the basis of just two instruments is unfair and unwarranted. Incidentally, re: the red bass, a sticky finish would suggest to me a nitro refinish, not original polyester.

Any suggestion that oiled and/or figured necks are more prone to warping is old myth and heresay. Music Man have decades of customer service data indicating that there is no difference in stability. They would never reserve the most figured necks for their flagship artist model guitars if that was not the case. Nor would any other manufacturer.

May I also point out that Music Man (and indeed many other manufacturers) always ask that people do NOT use faked logos when refinishing their guitars, as the work is not from the factory and they do not want it confused by future buyers as such. Of course, where Music Man is concerned a decal is a sure sign of a refinish - Music Man do not use decals, their logos are painted on (silk screened).

Other than that, very pretty outcome!

 

[xjbebop]

Outstanding!!

 

[kbaim]

^
Purple Rain

 

[GWDavis28]

Wow great one making it your own!!! Love the color. Keith, yah man 100% on!!!

Glenn |B)

 

[beamer128]

very cool, love the purple!

 

[TripHazard]

Wow man that is incredible work and I'm guessing pretty darn expensive
Great restore

 

[Jorge ven]

Man, that does look sweet..

 

[brett8388]

Love that color! Great work.

 

[Dead-Eye]

Very pretty finish, but very strange opinions in the blog posts.