Hey Guys, hope you can help with this one?
I've got a flying v that the previous owner has completely covered in thick black nitro paint, I think the original finish would have been natural (or cherry perhaps). I'd really like to identify the guitar from the serial number, but because of the thick paint there's just no chance of making out the serial number on the back of the headstock.
I've done some research from the website below. The flying v has the raised fretboard (and slimmer body) and a volute to add some strength to the top of the neck and headstock. From the headstock pictures on the website I'm reasonably confident it's from 1980/1981 ... but I'd really like to be sure.
http://www.flying-v.ch/I'd like to be able to remove just a small rectangle of paint from where the serial number is likely to be, but I'm not sure of the best way to do this ... sandpaper vs chemicals vs any other ideas?
Sandpaper would be ok if the underlying serial number was stamped, but I don't think it is ... I have a hunch that the serial number maybe etched on instead. Did Gibson use etched serial numbers back in those days?
If it is an etched serial number I think it would be safer to use some sort of chemical paint stripper, but would that also remove the serial number as well?