What's Under a Solid Finish?

[bruce4]

This may seem like a silly question, but here we go. I ran across an Instagram post of a refinish done on an older WRMG, probably 2001 based on the 96xxxx serial and 3 way blade selector. It was originally a solid red, and when the shop removed the finish, they found a flamed maple top or veneer. Ultimately they decided on a trans green finish to show off the grain underneath. Was this a norm in the factories during this time period or is it a crapshoot if there's a paterned top underneath?

[Mudlark]

I can only guess that wouldn't be the norm simply for financial reasons.
Then again...I work in a spot where money is wasted, so....

[metalhobo]

I'm pretty sure I remember seeing a "project body" WRMG sanded down that had no flamed top.

edit: actually found it, and it's the older one with the blade switch too https://forum.seymourduncan.com/foru...ries-available

It seems not entirely unrare to find "surprises" hiding beneath the paint of various guitars and models. they might allot some production quantities to solid finishes vs. trans, and trans specimens that don't make the grade when it comes time for paint are transferred to solid paint. just a guess.

[bruce4]

That's kind of what I was thinking too, although I'm not sure what could have been conceived as wrong with it, it was beautiful. https://www.instagram.com/p/BdAhLqND...=1w8p8ztnunywf for reference.

Your reply may have saved a WRMG out their from losing its finish

[Mudlark]

Could just be they made too many flame tops or not enough non-flame's to meet a quota.

[Number Of The Priest]

The figured tops on the 2000s Jackson imports were always thin veneers anyway, but darn, that WRMG is beautiful.

If you search Google Images for "WRMG", you'll see some WRMGs (and WRXTs) did come from the factory with transparent-finished, flame veneer bodies. To make them solid-finished seems like a waste of a nice-looking top, but stranger things have happened.

[bruce4]

Right, they were made in trans blue, red, and black if I recall correctly. Never green though, that thing is a beauty.