MIMF

Ryan, a bolt-on conversion is a great way to go especially since you sawed the neck cleanly. I have done this twice on impossible to re-set guitars with great results. Not sure if I don't prefer this method on the cheaper Imports. I am surprised the Epoxy didn't loosen with heat, this is typically a...

I like the bridge, somewhat Rickenbacker in spirit. Really, a guitar such as this shows "Artist" more than "Luthier". A muddled area for sure betwixt the two.

I glued the rosette in today after gluing in and shaving down some inner perfling flush. Yeah, she swelled. What should have been a 1 hour job turned into an hour and a half of stress. Air bubbles became entrapped in different locations around the circumference and I resorted to removing the small c...

Wow, never seen a bridge lift of so cleanly! Cool looking Classical, the neck photo looks Brazilian to me, though the dark streaks may be age. I don't have a photo but a "Simple" bridge like the one you have could be aged to match the other wood IF the footprint is right, I wouldn't shortc...

Emma, those are some cool instruments and looks like you do great work! I would love to hear them together with each one having a separate track. I am elbow deep in a difficult restoration and your pics really helped me continue.

If you could not install a 2-head piezo system in your acoustic in the normal location, which of these would be second choice? 1. Out to the sides of the bridge plate(internally) 2. In front of the bridge plate to the top(internally) 3 On the bridge plate behind the string holes(internally) 4. Behin...

Upon the recommendation of someone here I just ordered a piezo setup from JJB Sound. It looks very similar to K&K and the price is half of theirs so I took the plunge. Wish I could give a recommendation but this project might take a few more weeks to stringing.

Thanks Clay, I was thinking the same thing about swelling. I sure wish I had some West System left from a boat repair, I hate to use Lowes or other big-box Retailers epoxy products. I meticulously sanded through 3 outer rings of the rosette with no problem and the fit is much better but still tight....

As I get older I am beginning to appreciate small guitars, even my OM is too much to reach around. This is a great example and I'm sure the folks of the 20's would have flipped out if Sears delivered your version. Only someone who has attempted a build or repair of this caliber can appreciate the wo...

One additional caveat, I've decided to install a bridge DR. to reduce the belly factor before gluing the rosette to lessen the chance of stress cracks. Would you do any different?

Not to fault the Supplier of the Rosette I purchased but the dimensions didn't add up to the outside diameter (this is a restoration I didn't want to attempt to cut larger) like I thought after adding width and soundhole diameter. It should have been 128 mm total but was closer to 134mm outside. I t...

Thanks Jeffrie, by "in front" I assume you mean there is room left after installation of the bridge Dr. Thats all I need, to know someone else has succesfully did it gives me the gumption to try.

What about K&K piezo installation with a Bridge DR.? I didn't see anyone comment on this at Stewmac. Is it possible? Does it interfere and make installation problematic? In what order would you install on an acoustic undergoing restoration(neck off)?

Thanks Clay, that is the name that escaped me. If Breedlove used them they can't be all bad.

I seem to remember reading about some apparatus that is placed inside an acoustic guitar to support a sagging belly.This miracle device was also supposed to not affect the sound much. Perhaps it was used on Trigger? (Willie Nelsons Martin). Anyway, all my internal braces look good, no glue breaks or...

Thanks, but.. the only reason I was looking at these was due to not needing a compressor. A compressor used to entail a lot of extras, oil traps, big enough for reserve, etc. I thought it would be cool using this little setup if the thing worked.
By the way, I assume you would use alcohol for cleanup?

First of all did you purchase the Martin new? This sort of trouble would fall under warranty. If not you are looking at a pro repair job. This type of repair involves determining the glue joint fail point with an internal camera. Long reach tools through the soundhole while training this camera on t...

I want to try spraying a recently stripped acoustic with shellac, especially the build coats, but I'm cheap. Plus I won't be using it commercially. I know most people here are Pros but anyone used a Lowes or Home Depot HVLP Kit (gun and turbine unit) with good results?

Thanks Chuck. I'm not exactly a novice at this sort of thing, perhaps I made it sound worse than it is. Heat removal of polyester is the only way. The grooves will not need routing after careful removal of the offending binding, it actually looks great. Sometimes restorations get a little down and d...

I might as well explain a little further in hopes it may help someone else, though it is indeed a repair subject. I discovered the heavily cracked top finish on my 62 Hoyer was polyester and a heat gun was the best answer for removal. Though it worked well and didn't loosen any interior planks I fee...