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Old 10-27-2019, 09:04 AM
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Don54 Don54 is offline
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Default Has anyone successfully removed autographs from a guitar?

Has anyone successfully removed autographs from a guitar? There’s a Bourgeois guitar for sale locally. I’m interested in possibly purchasing it. Unfortunately, it has a bunch of autographs on the sound board. It looks to be written with a sharpie, but I’m not sure. If I purchase the guitar, I’d like to remove the autographs without damaging the top. I don’t know who’s autographs they are and, don’t care to know. Bourgeois used nitrocellulose lacquers in the early years. Roughly around 2000, they switched to catalyzed urethane over polyester primer. I don’t know when this was built. I’ll have to take a look at the serial number to get an idea of the age.

If you’ve had first hand experience, I’d love to hear it.

I’ve heard that naphtha (lighter fluid) is a good cleaner. However, I don’t have any experience with that.
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Old 10-27-2019, 09:07 AM
oliverkollar oliverkollar is offline
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This was talked about recently in this thread.......

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=560914
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Old 10-27-2019, 09:08 AM
MinorKey MinorKey is offline
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Ha, I'd love to find a guitar with autographs. Part of its history.
Maybe try meths?
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Old 10-28-2019, 07:54 AM
thomasinaz thomasinaz is offline
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I saw that one for sale too. The autographs don't help with it's sale potential. Interesting Bourgeois guitar though...
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Old 10-28-2019, 08:04 AM
Arthur Slowhand Arthur Slowhand is offline
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I thought I was the only one who doesn't like autographed guitars - just seems like vanity to me. That said, if I was ever tempted, I'd take off the strings and ask for it to be signed inside the sound hole... then it's my little secret and not there as something to brag about.
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Old 10-28-2019, 08:40 AM
ManyMartinMan ManyMartinMan is offline
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It depends on the guitars finish and the marker. Sometimes they rub off. Sometimes they can be buffed off. Someone they are permanent. Offer what you think it’s worth.
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Old 10-28-2019, 09:36 AM
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OP, if you don't mind me asking, where is the ad for this guitar? I don't have any interest in buying it, I just want to see how the autographs look.
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Old 10-28-2019, 09:59 AM
Earl49 Earl49 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Arthur Slowhand View Post
I thought I was the only one who doesn't like autographed guitars....
It's not just you. I have been tempted on a couple of occasions, but any autographs would have to be on the back on MY guitar, not the top. I prefer to get a signed CD as my souvenir. Autographs on the guitar top would destroy most of its purchase value - to me - even if it were someone for whom I was a fan.
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Old 10-28-2019, 12:09 PM
hairpuller hairpuller is offline
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I’m assuming it’s the one at guitar center in SoCal?

Nice guitar, but for me all those sigs devalued the guitar by several c notes. Especially not knowing if they can or cannot be removed. The guy at the store said they didn’t want to touch it.

Scott
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Old 10-28-2019, 06:12 PM
Mobile1 Mobile1 is offline
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Thanks hairpuller. I've seen the guitar now. All I can say is


Who would do that to a boutique guitar?

Not my cup-o-tea.
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Old 10-28-2019, 06:30 PM
Beakybird Beakybird is offline
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What about getting it refinished with a glossy black top?
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Old 10-28-2019, 06:33 PM
bufflehead bufflehead is offline
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I just saw the ad. Guitar Center lists its condition as "good."

How can that be good? A shame there isn't a category called "ugly."
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Old 10-28-2019, 09:13 PM
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Who knows...maybe the previous owner incorrectly thought it would increase the value of the guitar??? Yes, it’s at Guitar Center. I thought about taking a drive to go play it, but with the uncertainty about the removal of the autographs, I opted not to.
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Old 10-28-2019, 09:38 PM
H165 H165 is offline
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Yes.

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Old 10-29-2019, 07:36 AM
Mobile1 Mobile1 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by H165 View Post
Yes.

Alrighty then!
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