by Graylion » 03 Apr 2011, 12:37
Why not get the chromework re-chromed? I don't think there's anything wrong with that. My V-A will get that treatment one day in the near future, (I'm retiring this June!) but the paintwork is much better than yours so it won't need much more than a polish and just maybe a touch up on the black here and there - apart from re-chroming!
To be brutally honest, they aren't worth a lot of money, like say a Strat or Gibson from that era. I've had my V-A since 1962 but I'd like to keep it bright and smart and not looking like an old nail. Rusty steel is unacceptable on any guitar, especially a trem as you might get hurt! I'm saying that you probably won't devalue it much by giving it a 50-year "service". As to refinishing the body? Even a sympathetic restorer will be pushed to get the original semi-translucent cherry sunburst right!
My old 1959 Norton Dominator rusted away for over 37 years before I decided to be a "born again biker" and restore it it. As it WAS a rusty old nail, the only way to go was up. I'm going for concours so sod the purists!
Good luck, Lionel