Van Halen Finish Problem...Help!

[Flyer0824]

This is my first time posting here. I have a translucent amber EVH from around 1993. I've had it for about ten years, actually a little longer, and am in love with the guitar.

Recently, though...it took a fall. The strap actually slipped out of the upper stud on top of the body, and the guitar took a face first fall onto a tile floor. Damage is minor. There are no dents, cracks, or any damage of a structural nature.

However, the clear coat finish chipped away in a few spots along the upper edge of the body, near the toggle switch, and on the headstock. Minor cosmetic scars, but infuriatingly annoying.

I emailed EBMM and inquired about repairing the finish. I was told that they no longer do finish work on the EVH guitars, which is pretty distressing. If they don't do repairs, I mean...who does?

So, does anyone know of a reputable source, or craftsman, who might be able to repair the clear coat on an EVH EBMM circa 1993?

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

 

[dwf1004]

Flyer, welcome to the board, though not underthese types of circumstances.

EBMM does not do any work on EVH guitars due to the legal beagles that surround one famed guitarist. You can't blame THEM because of HIS lawyers.

Where are you at, brother? I'm sure that if we had a better grip of where to pinpoint you, one of our fine folks here will be able to pont you in a good direction.

All I ask is, contrary to the ground rule of the board, NO pics. I just got done with T-Day dinner, and couldn't stand to look at the carnage.

Hang in there; we'll see if we can't get you squared up, OK?

 

[Flyer0824]

Thanks for the quick reply. Wow! I'm surprised to learn that a certain somebody's legal team would make it a problem for EBMM to maintain guitars that were manufactured as a part of their contract together. That's just nuts. In those circumstances, you can't blame EB. I knew it had to be something like that. I know what a class act the company is, and was surprised that they would just flat out say, "sorry". Funny, though, that the driving force behind me getting the guitar is the same force keeping me from getting it fixed. Life is not without a sense of irony, it would seem.

Anyway, I'm in the New York metro area, if it helps at all. I have no clue where to look, outside of EBMM, for a repair like this. I wasn't even sure if you could just repair a clear coat finish. But, I gather from me email from EB that you can...they just can't, don't, or aren't "allowed" to do it anymore.

If you, or anyone else on the board can offer any help, it would be great.

Happy Thanksgiving.

 

[nobozos]

Try this link. U.S.A. Custom Guitars has their bodies painted there, so I'm assuming that they are pretty reputable.


http://www.roxyguitarfinish.com/main.html

 

[dwf1004]

To clarify something here, as I got a gracious email from someone about this: if you look at this thread below, you will see the exact quote coming from Jon himself: "We can't even refinish EVH necks because Eddies legal dept. won't let us reproduce it on existing guitars."

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5129&page=2&pp=15&highlight=legal

(Flyer, just FYI, Jon's an EBMM tech that sets up Petrucci's for Petrucci, Albert Lee's for Albert Lee, etc. -- he's a high profile dude there. He also pops in daily to help us out...his word is God over anyone else, including the other mod Jimi D and myself!)

Gathering what you told us about the response from EBMM about your issue, and the quote in question, I have assumed that this appears to be a combined blanket policy:

1. If we can't refinish the necks, we'll cover our a**es legally and won't touch the bodies either.
2. If we do it for one person, then we'll have to do it for everyone...so we won't.

Again, this is my assumption. If I am wrong, and Jon corrects something to true fact, then listen to HIM. He knows, as he's in the SLO (look on the back of your headstock to figure out the abbreviate! ), and I am a bit away in Scottsdale, Arizona. So, that's my take on it, and we'll let Jon clarify it for us soon. It may be after the weekend, as he and Derek in EBMM Artist Relations (and another cool cat) are off for 4 days (lucky SOB's).

If you'd be interested in maybe doing this yourself, our resident rocket scientist norm (no, folks, he's really not joking about that either!) should be popping in, and can enlighten you on a clear coat product that he used to protect a Steve Morse autograph on one of his SM sig guitars...turned out real nice. Maybe that can help you out?

We've got SteveLINY that can help out, as well as our buddy PurpleSport are in that area, perhaps they'll throw out some knowledge area-wise of good techs/repair shops to help out...spotlight's on you guys, let's rock and roll!

 

[jongitarz]

Howdy...2 things need to be corrected. We can't do the necks because EVH's legal staff won't let us reproduce his signature on the headstock. We don't refinish the bodies because we no longer use the conversion varnish that was used on those guitars. I hope this clears things up.

 

[Flyer0824]

Thanks guys, for all your replies. I really appreciate it. I just want to be clear...I have no gripe with EB. I understand why they can't do the work on the neck and the body. The reason why, though, really makes me wish that I hadn't blown over $100.00 to see a certain guitarist this summer. That's kind of a shame that his people tie EB's hands like that.

I'll wait and see if any other info pops up in the thread. I'm a pretty handy guy, but I don't know that I'd want to attempt repairing the finish myself. I'd sooner perform sugery on myself.

I'll give that link a shot as well.

Thanks everyone.

 

[dwf1004]

Can't sleep, Jon? Thanks for sorting that out, big guy...just another reason why you rock.

Flyer, you must have been hovering around the boards, refreshing every 5 minutes. I think the consensus was that you didn't have an issue with EBMM, so you don't have to reinforce that. Also, kudos to you for looking at this respectfully, and not b*tching and whining, as does happen sometimes.

You can't completely blame EVH for this...I'm not an EVH apologist, but look at it logistically: EVH tells his legal peeps to do A, B, and C...however, lawyers are like oil spills. You drop it into the mix, and it taints everything. It's rough that an issue like that has arisen, and it's a shame. However, it's a legal issue, and is not at the fault of, and I would also figure, not at the choice of EBMM. As I talked with a certain nameless individual, I told them that if it was up to EBMM, they would support that guitar until the company, God forbid, went bankrupt. They're good people, and they really stand behind their product, no matter the age (OK, withing reason, but you get my point)

As far as the man himself, I've personally dropped a bit past 1 large to see the band (Phoenix in August, 2 shows after that in Las Vegas, and last week -- to the day -- in Tucson, with norm). Legal issues or not, the boy can (still) play, and he was my second guitar teacher (my grandfather being the first), so I obviously hold him in high regard on a musician aspect.

I have questioned his moves and motives since the EBMM split, and I don't respect his business practices and decisions, but that affects me none until I made an investment in, say, a Wolfgang, or an EVH Phase 90, or what have you. (BTW, save your $130, get the original orange Phase 90, crack it open, and pull out the R28 resistor...BANG! Instant script logo MXR...).

All in all, as always, blame the lawyers. (Man, I hope there's none on this board, or I'm screwed!)

 

[Flyer0824]

Yeah. I was watching the boards pretty actively throughout the night. When a guitar like this gets damaged, it's like one of your kids getting hurt. You keep checking with the doctor to see how things are going.

Anyway...blame the lawyers, that about sums up the state of the country, I'd say. I'd like that printed on a t-shirt, come to think of it.

I already have a vintage phase-90, and an orginal MXR flanger as well. I wasn't aware that there was an "EVH" branded phase 90 out there. I LOVE my original. And the flanger is just...well, you know.

I'm glad you had some good shows with the band this summer. The show I went to was a bit of an off night for EVH. I was surprised. I'd never seen him have an "off night" before...not in 18 shows over 15 years. But, that was early on in the tour. I'm glad he improved by the time you saw him.

I have to thank you guys. Everyone has been so cool trying to offer the best help and info that they can. I really appreciate it.

 

[Jim Warnstedt]

Hi, Jon, Derek, or Darrel,
Will EBMM even do a set-up and oil/wax job on an EVH? I have a 1991 blue quilt that needs a set-up, an oil/wax job on the neck, and a few swirls and one minor nick buffed out. Thanks in advance!

 

[PurpleSport]

Hey Flyer, welcome to the club, and really sorry to hear about your EVH accident!

I'm having an acoustic repaired at Matt Umanov's on Bleecker Street right now - I was mortified to find it got hit with three of those dreaded humidity cracks on it's top when I tuned up to pitch last week (the super in my apartment complex goes completely nuts with the heat and the air is SO dry in here right now it's pathetic). I have a huge emotional attachment to this instrument - it was my late dad's - so I felt had to take it to what's reputed to be one of the best shops in town, no matter what the cost. The guy who looked mine over seemed very competent and is going to take a very non-invasive approach which told me he knew what he was doing right away. Plus, the fact they had some seriously vintage museum-quality stuff in there getting worked on when I dropped it off (i.e. a one-off 1931 Gibson acoustic in seemingly new-old stock condition) said a lot. Mine should be out in a couple of weeks, so if you can hang until then I'll let you know how it goes.

Other suggestions for shops I've heard good things about around town are Mandolin Brothers on Staten Island, 30th Street Guitars, and NY Guitar and Bass Boutique in Hell's Kitchen. Mind you, I've not had any work done by any of these, but I have seen the custom-built stuff done at the latter and it's really nice (he's also the authorized repair guy for Suhr guitars here in town, which says a lot in my book). Roger Sadowsky doesn't repair anything but his own guitars anymore, but he recommends a 13 year veteran of his shop on his site who went indie a few year ago, a Japanese guy who I understand is also quite good too.

Whomever you go to, you may want to have them touch base with Jonguitarz to see if perhaps they can get the formulation of the EVH varnish so that it matches up both now and in the future. That is, of course, if EBMM doesn't consider that formulation a proprietary secret anymore...(is that the case, Jon?)...

And don't even get me started on EVH's antics as of late...I purposedly boycotted this tour based on the man's behavior, and I unfortunately understand it seems I've made the right decision. A shame, 'cause I was such a huge fan back in the day. Now I feel like those old Stones fans that used to complain about the band not being as good as they used to be.... .......

 

[dwf1004]

Hi, Jon, Derek, or Darrel,
Will EBMM even do a set-up and oil/wax job on an EVH? I have a 1991 blue quilt that needs a set-up, an oil/wax job on the neck, and a few swirls and one minor nick buffed out. Thanks in advance!

Another phrase I live by...when in doubt, keep your mouth shut.

Jim, since this is a weird issue that we've (for the most part) sorted out, and I would hate to say yes, and retract it later (and be privately chewed by Jon, Derek, or both! ) because I was wrong, I'm going to leave this to them to answer. They should see this on Monday; I also gather DOB requests, and issues that require attention such as this, and email Jon early Monday morning with a list of things to check out and attend to.

He'll definitely have this thread in the list if he doesn't happen to pop in over the holiday weekend, so you can guarantee that he will get to it on Monday morning.

 

[Flyer0824]

Thanks, Purple Sport! Wondefully useful information. I would indeed be anxious to hear how your guitar turns out. I can definitely wait a few weeks to hear how things work out for you.

You know, a lot of times wear and tear like this gives a guitar character and personality. I mean, what looks cooler than a beat up old pre-CBS strat? But, these guitars (EBMM EVH) don't really look good "weathered". I really think they're meant to look pristine. And, this guitar does carry some degree of sentimental value for me. It can't be replaced, and I would never sell it.

And, I hear you about EVH. I don't want to judge the guy, but he's been up to some crazy stuff. I love the guy. I came to music through him, which makes it more upsetting to see him like this.

The night I saw him he played less than well. But the strange thing was that he had his doctors who treated him for cancer in attendance at the concert that night. He actually stoppped his solo to draw attention to them, and thank them for saving his life...which was cool. He then proceeded to light up a cigarette, after thanking the cancer specialists, and then continued with his solo. Just a, "what the..." kind of moment.

I love the guy's music, love his guitars, and love his amps. I'll be buried in my 5150! I just really hope he sorts himself out, Van Halen or no Van Halen, the guy is too gifted to let himself fall apart. I'm pulling for him.

Anyway, back to the matter at hand. I'll check back and see how you're guitar turned out.

 

[jongitarz]

Hi, Jon, Derek, or Darrel,
Will EBMM even do a set-up and oil/wax job on an EVH? I have a 1991 blue quilt that needs a set-up, an oil/wax job on the neck, and a few swirls and one minor nick buffed out. Thanks in advance!

We will do set up work(oil and wax etc) but we can't buff that finish anymore. All of our buffing equipment is geared towards the poly finish that we use now, and would make your EVH look worse if we buffed it.

 

[Jim Warnstedt]

Hi Jon, Thanks for the quick response. What would be the best way to remove minor swirls on this type of finish? Also, what is the finish on an EVH made in July of 1991? How long to do the set-up and oil/wax the neck? Thanks, Jim.

 

[jongitarz]

The best way to get rid of the finish problems would be to buff them out with a wheel and compound that is non-abrasive. Oil and wax + set up would most likely be a 1 day turn around. 2 days tops.