Yes, certainly Nitromors for stripping, just make sure you clean off the residue properly afterwards. Sanding is a no-no unless nothing else works. After the Nitromors I use thinners and steel wool with lots of mopping with kitchen towel. Before you start though, what year is it? It's not advisable to mess with a vintage guitar as it really hits the value. Having said that, and if you want to go ahead, the best finish in my opinion is what you describe as "the *REALLY* thin coat of cr@ppy ronseal ", or nitrocellulose lacquer as it is more commonly known and which Gibson still use! Taking the point that yours is finished in a solid colour I would suggest , if the grain is as good as you say, stripping back to the wood, use a dark (Rosewood or Walnut) thixotropic pore filler, red stain, then clear lacquer on top. This gives the stunning 60's Cherry Red finish with the grain showing through. If you need any further info on this, drop me an email.
