I have 2 questions.

1. Is it worth refinishing a '79 Strat that has been worn down to the wood? I was originally white, but was later stripped and clear coated. The clear coat has worn down to the bare wood. Will that really hurts it's collectability value? It looks really cool worn down the way it is, but I'm knid of insterested in making it look more like it did when it was brand new.

My other qustion is

2. I have an '03 Gibson Les Paul Std. AAA Fame top with a pencil tip sized ding in the side of the body. The back and sides are black, so getting to get color correct won't be difficult. My question is: If I have the repair done, will it lose value? Someone told me that I shouldn't do the repair, but I'm thinking that because the guitar not vintage, the repair would be worth doing.

"Pencil sized ding"?

"Sauce for the goose, Mr. Saavik."

I'd leave that alone.

As for the Strat, whatever "harm" has been done to it has already been done. If you can credibly and competently pull off a nice factory-esque re-fin, then I'd say go for it.

Just remember the restoration technician's creed. It's the same as for doctors......

FIRST -- DO NO HARM.

JMOOC

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

1. Since the 79 Strat has already been stripped and refinshed the damage has been done. Are you thinking of returning it too the original white colour? If you can do a professional looking job using same type of paint used for that time period I don't think you can do any harm here and you get to ware it down yourself this time.

2. This is a tough call, but a pencil tip sized ding in black could likely be repaired properly and no one would ever know it was done but you. Somehow know matter how hard we try to proteck our instratments they are going to get dinged and this won't be the last time (sadly).