Returning after a long absence...with a question.

[Inazone]

Hey folks! Long ago (apparently VERY long ago, since I didn't recognize the look of the forum here), I visited the HFC in search of info on a Californian I picked up at a local shop. I read a lot of good things, and when the opportunity to land another Cali arose, I grabbed it. Thus, I have a pair of USAs, the first being an Elite and the second being a Deluxe. My question is about the Deluxe.

This guitar (sorry, no pics atm) has what I believe are factory-installed EMGs (89/SA), gold hardware, and what I'm told is "Gold Granite" finish. I'm faced with a difficult decision. I bought the Deluxe because I love the Cali design and feel, especially the 27-fret ebony board. However, I'm not much of an EMG fan, and as much as I'd hoped to get used to it, the finish and hardware are just too much "bling" for me. It has crossed my mind to replace the gold hardware with black or chrome, maybe swap out the EMGs, and refinish it.

The issue is this: I know that there was a time when USA Californians were relatively common on eBay and didn't hold much value. Maybe those days are gone, as the only Calis I see are the new imports. As much as I'm tempted to overhaul this Deluxe, it occurs to me that someone out there might really dig the black n' gold look, especially since it's all factory. This guitar saw some serious use (and maybe abuse) at the hands of its previous owner, but there's the whole "mojo" factor. If I made the changes I have in mind, I'd probably use the Deluxe for live gigs, but it would only be original wood and fretwire at that point.

So...is this a situation where I'd be better off leaving the guitar alone with all the factory features intact, or am I not seeing any around because they weren't well-received and thus weren't produced for very long with this finish?

[hamerhead]

Leave it alone and sell it to me!!

[cmatthes]

I'd leave it original if it was mine, but if you prefer the black hardware and want to switch, that would have been period correct, anyway and shouldn't hurt the value much. (If you DO that, I could use a gold HAMER logo'd Floyd!).

That wasn't a really common finish, although it was standard on your model Cali for just one year (I think it was '92 or '93?). Calis lately run from the upper $300s for a thrashed Elite or regular Standard piece to comfortably over a grand for a nice one with some custom appointments. Deluxes don't show up as often, but fall somewhere between the two Cali models above.

The flame-bodied Calis always bring more, and add on a few hundred to that if it has a bound neck. Non-standard graphics (Celestial, Marble, Snakeskin) bring bigger bucks too, and set-neck Calis and Holoskull models seem to be at the top of the pile, pricewise.

I'd toss out that yours is probably in the $500-$600 range, less if REALLY worn, but am open to all differences of opinion.

[Inazone]

Well, if I were to change it, I'd go so far as to refinish it too. Take away the existing finish and gold hardware, and my Deluxe is effectively the same as most of my other guitars, meaning super-Strat body, maple neck, ebony board and Floyd. I'm one of those people who will see a beautiful guitar hacked up in the name of "upgrades" and complain about it, so I don't want to turn around and do the same thing to what might be someone else's idea of a cool guitar. On the other hand, since I really dig Californians in general, I could do some mods and make it one of my main players.

The decisions guitarists must face...