What colour should I paint My ESP?

[Catalyst77]

I've had this guitar since i was 19 but havent ever really liked the colour - seams a bit too hair metal for my tastes.

It plays awesome and the VH2 complements the alder really well.

Was thinking about saving a few pennies and sending it off for a paint job.  I know the wood underneath isnt going to be all that pretty so its going to have to be a solid colour.  But with the black hardware i'm stumped.

Anyone got any ideas or suggestions?

[noodleplugerine]

I've had this guitar since i was 19 but havent ever really liked the colour - seams a bit too hair metal for my tastes.

It plays awesome and the VH2 complements the alder really well.

Was thinking about saving a few pennies and sending it off for a paint job.  I know the wood underneath isnt going to be all that pretty so its going to have to be a solid colour.  But with the black hardware i'm stumped.

Anyone got any ideas or suggestions?

Could have it none more black - Or white, which would look great with black hardware. Or a sunburst - Which can look superb on super strats (think Shawn Lane's charvel, etc).

[ailean]

I'd probably go black or dark grey with a metalic fleck.

A nice red with a black burst around the edge could work well. Something like the one below, but a solid red and more pronounced burst.

[il˙ti]

too hair metal

There's no such thing.

[opprobrium_9]

too hair metal

There's no such thing.

O yes there is  :roll:

[Philly Q]

White.

But it's not going to be cheap - I've never been convinced that refinishes are worth the money.

[FELINEGUITARS]

Ben - here is the Pewter/gun metal colour I was speaking of onthe phone
We can add blue to that colour to get this:

 

Both pretty masculine colours but in keeping with an 80s guitar.

Either that or keep the original colour and just get some spandex and cowboy boots.

[FELINEGUITARS]

Or we could strip it - add a maple veneer (0.6mm thick) to the front and then you can have a burst of somekind showing off a flame maple front.

[ericsabbath]

black/graphite chrome spray!  :D
or silver chrome if you change the hardware

[hunter]

Just don't change the finish but add pink pickup covers - perfect!

:O)

[noodleplugerine]

Or we could strip it - add a maple veneer (0.6mm thick) to the front and then you can have a burst of somekind showing off a flame maple front.

That would be sweet.

[Catalyst77]

Hmm; quite like the idea of the maple veneer - would open up some possibilities.

I'd have to check it out; cause i had one of those on a wolfgang special and it looked really cheap and tacky.

Was considering something like this:

http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/shop_image/product/5f321b19b526080af174c94268e8f6d1.jpg
                       
 But I dont know if it would work on a non-symetrical guitar.

Either that or keep the original colour and just get some spandex and cowboy boots.

I'd kill for spandex - but i just don't have the legs for it!  although i do have a fetching mullet wig.

[WezV]

Hmm; quite like the idea of the maple veneer - would open up some possibilities.

I'd have to check it out; cause i had one of those on a wolfgang special and it looked really cheap and tacky

go with the veneer - there is no reason it should look like a tacky veneer job you see on cheap guitars.  A good flamed maple veneer will look like a good flamed maple top

i would be tempted to go with that gun metal finish jonathan posted on the back side and neck with a grey burst onto a flamed maple front - maybe adding some kind of binding to the top edge to seperate the two

although as veneers go i would be tempted by some poplar burl like on prozacbears ibanez if you wanted a more natural finish

[FELINEGUITARS]

This one had a maple veneer on it allowing the alder body to supply the tone and just have the veneer for appearance.

Normally you need to use a burst to hide the join between the body and veneer.

[Catalyst77]

Sounds very tempting - are there any luthier sites that show what veneer options there are ?

Or is any generic style veneer a usuable option?

i would be tempted to go with that gun metal finish jonathan posted on the back side and neck with a grey burst onto a flamed maple front - maybe adding some kind of binding to the top edge to seperate the two

although as veneers go i would be tempted by some poplar burl like on prozacbears ibanez if you wanted a more natural finish

Not sure about the binding - prob look really good, but would it be possible on a contoured body? its quite rounded