#guitarrepair — Public Fediverse posts

Is this not one of the sexiest headstocks ever conceived? It really is a shame. Silvertone 14XXs were all over eBay back in the day ~2005ish), and yeah, a really nice one with the original amp-in-case with all it's vinyl/fabric intact would have cost you real money, but there were also well-loved examples in need of some TLC for under a few hundred bucks (CAD), easy. And Jesus, you could pickup old Teiscos for under $50, with 10mm+ action probably, but still! Now even an unfinished project with parts missing is asking $200+. Idk if they're getting that, but they're certainly trying!

The crazy thing isn't that there are nice complete Silvertone 1448s (and similar) with the matching amp case going for two grand. What's weird to me is that (at least online), it's actually hard to come across a beat up but saveable example for sale at all.

Did they really all just get parted out? Or bought as donors and the rest just sold off (or God forbid... disposed of!?)

I don't want to buy a museum piece. I want to play a funky little budget guitar from the 60s that makes me smile every time I look at it's little googie architecture meets Gumby face 😭

#danelectro #silvertone #guitar #guitarrepair

I think I'm going to attempt to refret the Harmony this weekend. Since replacing the bridge and [heavily] shimming the neck, it's actually pretty playable. Certainly better action than my Squier for the first 10 years I played it, before I learned how to do a setup. I've been enjoying noodling on it the last few days as is, but the wear is bad enough that past the twelfth fret, there are at least a few spots where two adjacent frets play the same note, so it's more than a matter of string height or fret buzz.

Anyway, let's hope I don't completely f--k it up, lol. I'm on a tight budget and working with a pretty limited set of tools here, but I've made bongs with less (points if you get the movie reference).

#guitar #guitarrepair #lutherie [not a] #luthier

These 3 items represent that entirety of a $100 USD gift card lmao. Okay, to be fair I also paid the $20 shipping with the gift card, but still. Guitar repair is not a cheap activity.

I decided in the end to get a single 2ft length of fretwire instead of 4ft, because my plan is to just do the problem areas rather than a full refret (for reference, 4ft is just enough to do an entire guitar), and that allowed me to get the set of 6 grits of this 3M flexible polishing cloth, rather than just the couple single sheets I could squeeze into the budget.

Worst case, fretwire itself is pretty inexpensive, so if I need more I can just make a trip down to Solo Music and spend <$20 for another 2ft length. Anyway, I should moat definitely forget all about this and get to work on something somebody will pay me for lol

#guitar #guitarrepair #guitarrepairs #stewmac

If you think acrobatic Olympic ski events get your heart beating, you should try gluing up a guitar brace, within the 3min working time, deep inside a guitar body where you can't see.

#guitarRepair #hackLuthier #YamakiGuitarRehab

This Höfner Sienna's pickup still works, but as you might see, the surface is sticky and breaks here and there.
Höfner and Thomann can't get spare parts.
With super glue I tried to fix the broken parts, but the stickiness on the plastic surface is another issue.

I thought, maybe it would be possible to print this part, but I could imagine the modelling could be time consuming.

1/2

#guitar #guitarrepair #guitarbuddies #guitartuesday
#gitarre #gitarrenreparatur

Ok! "Patches" the barley recovered EA-250 with retrofitted neck and P-90s is nearing completion. Just final setup work to go! This was a loooong time coming and what a learning experience it was! "Patches" has some cosmetic flaws (other than the obvious patches) because, well, I messed up. But "Patches" sounds very nice to me indeed. It's defiantly got that hollow body, P90 vib going! Even with the action still a bit high, it . is . fun!

#guitar #guitarrepair #Luthier

The neck for the EA-250 has been finished. The nut’s been installed. The next step is putting on the neck & I need to shape a shim. I’d noticed I needed to accommodate a bit more bridge height so I got a .5 degree shim from StewMac (spendy!) This picture shows how I’m roughing out the shape so the shim sits nice on the neck mount tang. I used a dremel drum mandrel with a fine grit band mounted in a drill press & very carefully sanding to the traced line. #guitar #GuitarRepair #luthier

EA-250 Recovery Status: I know I sort of dropped off the radar, but I had to wait for my headstock decal, warm weather, and life craziness to resolve a little. So here is a quick pic of the headstock being clear coated. Hope you like it! #guitar #GuitarRepair #luthier

Finished Tru-Oiling the EA-250 body. I think it looks great, it’s not perfect but the best I can do with what I’ve got. You have to look pretty closely to see the imperfections, so I’m happy!
#guitar #GuitarRepair #luthier

If I haven’t got this backwards or topsy-turvy or anything here is what the logo for the EA-250 ended up looking like. I am sending it off to get water slide decals made.
#guitar #GuitarRepair #luthier
#guitarrebirth

I just got home from picking up my Gibson ES-335 from the guitar shop. I played it a little while I was there and my happy is happy.

I’ll post pictures later. I don’t have time to take any right now. Happy New Frets/Bridge/Nut/Volume Pot day!

https://robertjames1971.blog/2024/02/21/my-guitar-is-home-3/

#Guitar #guitarMaintenance #guitarRepair #iphoneography #luthier #photography

I heard from the guitar shop. My guitar is ready. I am going to pick it up tomorrow during my lunch break.

Can I get a, WOOHOO people?

WOOHOO!

https://robertjames1971.blog/2024/02/20/it-is-ready/

#es335 #Gibson #gibsonEs335 #gibsonEs335Pro #Guitar #guitarMaintenance #guitarRepair #guitarShop #luthier #nikonD90 #photography

The Luthier I took my 1979 Gibson ES-335 Pro to one week ago today posted two more updates on his bookfayce page. Lots more pictures.

The guitar got new frets yesterday. Today it got a new nut, a new bridge, and a new volume pot. Damn if I didn’t know there was something wrong with the wiring beyond it just being old and dirty. I feel vindicated!

Here’s hoping I will hear from him soon and I’ll be able to set a time to go and pick my semi-hollow baby up and bring it home!

I’m getting excited, folks!

https://robertjames1971.blog/2024/02/17/more-luthier-updates/

#es335 #Gibson #GibsonES335Pro #Guitar #guitarMaintenance #guitarRepair #guitarShop #luthier

Hi ,
I’m wondering if y’all could let me know which of these 2 headstock logos looks nicer? They are for the repaired Matsumoku EA-250 equipped with a neck made in China sourced from Yinfente. Hence it’s not a Matsumoku or Epiphone or mine etc.
The kanji is supposed to mean “Rebirth” or “Resurrection” (hope I got that correct!)
#guitar #guitarRepair #luthier

Good news! I got some time back to make progress on the RA-250 and I finally figured out how I can finish the neck. I also started Tru Oiling the body. It’s gonna be nice, not perfect but nice! Can’t wait!

#guitar #GuitarRepair #luthier

Hi. Been very busy with work and non-work life. So, I’ve made little progress on the EA-250 resurrection. Right now, as time allows, I’m leveling the headstock. I’m using shellac and have it almost ready. Then onto the rest of the neck. I’m learning heaps of stuff about leveling. Attached is a photo.
#guitar #GuitarRepair #luthier

I heard from the guitar shop this morning. My guitar is done! Oh happy day! I am going to head over there at lunch time and pick it up. Please please please no traffic so that I can get there and back before my lunch break is over.

I am so excited!

https://robertjames1971.blog/2023/11/14/it-is-done/

#GibsonLesPaul #GibsonLesPaulCustom #Guitar #guitarMaintenance #guitarRepair #guitarShop #LesPaul #lesPaulCustom

I went to the drugstore today and got myself a couple of vaccine shots. I got a flu vaccine and a shingles vaccine. I’m still not far enough removed from my Covid-19/Disney World experience to need a Covid booster, so I’ll probably get one of those next month.

I drove through downtown so here is the obligatory clock/downtown pics. You’re welcome.

On an unrelated note, the guitar shop posted some more photos of my guitar today. I think it’s done. New bridge, new frets, new nut. Here’s hoping I get another phone call from them tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

https://robertjames1971.blog/2023/11/12/out-and-about/

#Guitar #guitarRepair #guitarShop #health #Hipstamatic #iphoneography #methuen #photography #refret

Click this link and see if you can see the post…

Whitsett Guitar Works Facebook Post

That is my guitar… on the work bench… you see the old frets, you see it without any frets (yikes!), and you see it with new frets.

I’ll probably steal the photos, but I don’t know if I will be the kind of guy to share them here without permission, and I am not likely to ask permission. Whatevs, right?

https://robertjames1971.blog/2023/11/07/on-the-bench/

#GibsonLesPaul #GibsonLesPaulCustom #Guitar #guitarRepair #guitarShop #LesPaul #lesPaulCustom #luthier #refret

I am starting to finish the EA-250. 1st I’m planning on completing the pore filling job on the walnut headstock veneer. I have some really old but still good pore filler from LMII. Then get some Zinsser Bull’s Eye SealCoat wax free Shellac on there. Will likely “Ebon-ise” the veneer since Epiphone branded Matsumokus of this make have black headstocks. I’m not going for a perfect copy, just a respectful nod to the aesthetics of the original.

#guitar #GuitarRepair #guitarrestoration
#luthier

Sunday, October 22, 2023 3pm - 4pm

The Granby Guitar Group meets at the Studio in Granby, MA from 3pm.

Bring your guitar at 2pm for the clinic - our luthier will be there to set up your axe with string changes, neck adjustments and other quick fixes to get you back to jamming with your friends!

Fee: $10 per person

RSVP required: use the Facebook link (below), or email us: [email protected]

#TheGuitarDoctor #GuitarGroup #GuitarClinic #GuitarRepair #GuitarLessons #GuitarHero

Please register! Here's the Facebook Event Page: https://fb.me/e/2JOoUXk68

Two completed tested and potted P90 pickups. DCR (for what it’s worth) is ~8.8K for the bridge and ~8.6K for the neck.
#guitar #GuitarRepair #luthier

The 10mm drill bit came in and I put some strings on the old EA-250 for the first time! Sweet! Nothing is dialed in, still it gives me confidence to proceed. The P90’s are ready for potting (yes I’m gonna wax pot them, but just a hot wax bath no vacuum). A ton of work left but still I feel a milestone has been reached!
#luthier #guitar #GuitarRepair

…and the frets are all on now. Need to do some fret end work to finish off the job.
#guitar #GuitarRepair #luthier

Hope all my friends in #florida , #Charleston and everywhere else are doing ok despite #idalia .

Well, I have finally gotten back to work on the EA-250 restoration after some necessary travel and…dare I say it?…a bout of COVID.

I have started installing the frets. The tangs must be trimmed since the neck has binding. It’s a most meticulous process.
#guitar #GuitarRepair #lutherie

Two things:
1) My really cool fret tang nipper came in today, works great!
2) I photographed a cool cloud.

#GuitarRepair #weather #photography

… and here is the finished yet unpolished stainless steel neck mounting plate for the EA-250 restoration. Stainless steel will polish up quite nicely I’ve found and so that’s why I picked it. I think Nickel plated steel would be spendy for just one part, didn’t check though.
#guitar #GuitarRepair #lutherie

Have not had much time to work on the EA-250 much but did start to fabricate the new neck plate. It’s stainless steel, not done yet. I have to buy a fretting tool before I can finish the re-fret job.
#guitar #GuitarRepair #luthier

but also, there is a clever solution for fixing a raised bridge due to a bellied guitar. The Bridge Doctor!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-wpdn4kpdk

It's a neat little device to tip the bridge back the other way by pushing against the end block. It does need you to drill a hole into the bridge (!) but other than that, it looks very simple to install. I might give it a go! #guitar #guitarrepair

Noticed something new here. This vid talks about cutting bridge slots for better tone, which apparently works because it increases the break angle across the saddle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoRQh9AeqFw

Noticed my old guitar has had bridge slots cut into it after-market. Given that someone also lowered the saddle, presumably to compensate for the bellying, I think they cut slots to try compensate for the saddle lowering!

My new guitar just has bridge slots as standard - no bellying!

#guitarrepair #guitar

The action on my acoustic guitar (Martin DRS-1) is too high as it goes up the neck. Took it for setup/repair and the guy immediately said it wasn't repairable without significant work :(

Body is bowed out under the saddle, which has been shaved down to absolute minimum to compensate (bought it used 7yrs ago) so probably always been a problem that I didn't notice until I started to get more serious with playing. Sometimes just happens. Shame as it sounds lovely!

#guitarrepair #guitar

I have not made much progress due to other duties, etc. That continues for 2 to 3 more weeks. I did reshape the top of the headstock a little, worked on preping the headstock veneer, and decided to see if some kanji decals might look nice (this being a Japanese made hollow body). The kanji between the pickups means “dream” and the ones above mean something like “Luck exists in the leftovers”. Seems fitting…

The parts are just set in place, lots to do yet.

#guitar #lutherie #GuitarRepair

Trying to make sure I drill the neck mount holes juuuuust right…

(Pay no attention to the messy bench top)

#lutherie #guitar #GuitarRepair

Finished the winding the first P-90 pickup bobbin. Hope it works out. For me, 10,000 winds is a lot to lay down scatter-wound on the skinny P-90 bobbins!
#guitar #GuitarRepair #lutherie #pickups

I finally found the time to put the top back on to the EA-250. Here are a couple of photos of it clamped up.

The neck is in route and only a few more parts to order. Next I’ll be working on binding repairs and winding the pickups.

#guitar #luthier #GuitarRepair

Here is a photograph of the completed wiring harness sans pickups. It also shows the bottom side of the patch repairs. I ran out of braid covered wire and will have to order more for the pickups. This was the last job to finish before glueing the top back on. I’ll remove the wiring harness before I do that.

#guitar #luthier #GuitarRepair

Spent the afternoon replacing pots and switches on my friend's electric guitar. He replaced the cavity's supposed shielded paint with some lovely copper tape (with conductive adhesive!). Looked so nice inside I think it needs a transparent top now!

My music room is getting a bit out of control at the moment though! Must finish repairing the pianola.

#guitar #guitarrepair

Some parts came in!
The P-90 kits are from Axs-R-Us ( https://www.axesrus.co.uk ) and look very nice. They have Casino specific Dog-ear P-90 metal covers with curved bottoms. On this MIJ EA-250 body, the bridge fits perfectly, the neck pickup side closest to the fretboard shows a small gap, but the other side fits perfectly on to the body too. I’m going to ignore that.

Much work to be done and the neck block came loose and has to be re-glued in place.
#guitar #GuitarRepair #lutherie