Some of our members who are newer players might wonder why all the fuss over vintage instruments. Even though I am not a new player, I've always had an interest in the science of vintage guitars and gear, as many of those things often transcend themselves to other areas that can be vitally useful to my own playing, or gear.
I'd recently read an article in which Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) was trying to explain why his # 1 Les Paul (which he has dubiously dubbed "Pearly", short for the "pearly gates" of heaven) has that sound. One of the things he'd mentioned was the finish, something I hadn't heard mentioned before.
Sure, I've heard / read other stories about some of the other things that vintage gear afficianados have claimed as the "magical element", including: the wood (old stand vs. new growth); others about the vintage hardware (metallurgy anyone?); and some that noted the old-school wiring / electrical (different types of bobbins, cloth-insulated wiring, certain waxes, etc.) Yes, indeed, the pursuit of the "grail tone" leaves no stone unturned.
As I was exploring this very topic on the internet, I found this article, in which the author determined that the lacquer used on vintage guitars (i.e. non-synthetic, non-polyurethane) was a key element of its sound / tone. To further bolster his claim, he actually stripped down, and refinished a new guitar with an older type of lacquer finish. You can check this story out for yourself at:
http://www.mother-of-tone.com/lacquer.htm
This is but one of the tons of cool topics about vintage guitars / amps. With all of the "experienced" players on our forum, I think it'd be a lot of fun to get a separate section / area together on the FN that explored some of the nuances of "vintage gear". As well, it'd be a great way to help newer players learn a bit about the guitar / amp technology of yesteryear, and how it has evolved into modern day.