Search found 1444 matches

by Michael Lewis
Wed Oct 27, 2021 10:54 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Neck removal on Martin 12 string
Replies: 3
Views: 5552

Re: Neck removal on Martin 12 string

Be aware of all the places steam can escape with those neck blocks. They have openings for the popcicle brace and the truss rod. You will need some paper towels inside for any water that happens, and I used a shop-vac hose in the sound hole to help suck the escaping steam to keep it from soaking the...
by Michael Lewis
Mon Jun 22, 2020 5:57 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Advice for changing bridge type mid-build
Replies: 9
Views: 8472

Re: Advice for changing bridge type mid-build

Mario Proulx put a brace very similar to the Musser brace. It helps keep the top flatter behind the bridge when tension is applied to the strings. I forgot he used acronym but it was for ". . . magic tone producer" or something similar. It works. Also, just adding to the rear of the bridge...
by Michael Lewis
Thu Apr 09, 2020 4:41 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Help Identifying an old Parlor Guitar
Replies: 7
Views: 11690

Re: Help Identifying an old Parlor Guitar

Check the detail of the sound hole binding. Does it cover just half way through the soundboard or does it cover the entire edge of the sound hole? Some detail shots of the interior might provide more clues (lining, braces, neck block, etc.). I would guess the inlay on the headstock is an add-on some...
by Michael Lewis
Tue Apr 07, 2020 2:47 am
Forum: Archtop Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Tap tones for archtop top-plate, help needed
Replies: 21
Views: 32134

Re: Tap tones for archtop top-plate, help needed

". . but perhaps not as loud as I was hoping." Give it some time and use. Some things take some time to develop. I would focus on the 'set up' to make sure it is as playable as possible and PLAY IT! Tone can vary significantly as you change the pick or strength of attack or a hundred other...
by Michael Lewis
Thu Apr 02, 2020 2:34 am
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Ibanez Concord 751
Replies: 3
Views: 9551

Re: Ibanez Concord 751

I realize this is a bit late, but have you given any thought to a JLD Bridge Doctor? It was designed to flatten tops of deformed guitars, and it does what it is designed to do. I have used them in guitars that would otherwise have been discarded, and made them playable. This is for the area around t...
by Michael Lewis
Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:20 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Refinishing plywood bass guitar body
Replies: 3
Views: 8041

Re: Refinishing plywood bass guitar body

That coat was probably a vinyl sealer, very common for commercial nitro lacquer finishes.
by Michael Lewis
Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:15 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Crack repair
Replies: 8
Views: 12933

Re: Crack repair

In response to Ryan Mazzocco's question, HHG for structural crack repairs in the wood. Finish is it's own thing, and effects how light reflects. A particularly noticeable problem is discoloration along a crack. This is often due to dirt or some other substance getting into the wood fiber, especially...
by Michael Lewis
Mon Mar 09, 2020 3:09 am
Forum: Other Stringed Instruments
Topic: Baroque mandolin
Replies: 8
Views: 20373

Re: Baroque mandolin

This shows a serious level of skill. Well done.
by Michael Lewis
Wed Feb 26, 2020 4:06 am
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: FP finish repair
Replies: 4
Views: 8817

Re: FP finish repair

Actually, it is 'honest wear', and that does make it look old. Unintentional distressing, but distressing none the less.
by Michael Lewis
Mon Feb 03, 2020 2:44 am
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Can this live again? 1941 Epiphone Triumph
Replies: 53
Views: 63536

Re: Can this live again? 1941 Epiphone Triumph

Brian Evans, can you tell what type of finish in on your Epiphones? I recall a '40s Broadway model in my shop about 15 years ago that had some issues to sort. The back and top had loose areas and the finish was flaking. The finish was not effected by lacquer thinner, so I surmised it was a varnish, ...
by Michael Lewis
Mon Feb 03, 2020 2:31 am
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: FP finish repair
Replies: 4
Views: 8817

Re: FP finish repair

There are some people that don't care about other's stuff, and obviously don't care much about guitars. Red cedar is what it is, so either just live with it, put an opaque guard on, or replace the top. Those dents/scratches are there in the wood.
by Michael Lewis
Mon Feb 03, 2020 2:23 am
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Martin bass guitar
Replies: 1
Views: 5588

Re: Martin bass guitar

You might call Customer Service Dept. at the Martin factory and ask where you might find such specs. That is what I would have had to do when I was a service center. I never came across one of these so I have no notes about them. You will need the serial number as well as the mode number at hand whe...
by Michael Lewis
Mon Jan 27, 2020 3:31 am
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Banjola buzz fixing and new tailpiece/bridge?
Replies: 7
Views: 17136

Re: Banjola buzz fixing and new tailpiece/bridge?

A button on your clothing can contact the instrument and buzz at certain pitches.
by Michael Lewis
Mon Jan 27, 2020 3:28 am
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Banjola buzz fixing and new tailpiece/bridge?
Replies: 7
Views: 17136

Re: Banjola buzz fixing and new tailpiece/bridge?

Oh yeah, you have to isolate the buzz before you can fix it. That can be an entertaining process. Without hearing the particular buzz I can only offer some ideas of where to look. Tuning machines: buttons can loosen, washers under the bushing on the face of the headstock, loose bushing, loose screw ...
by Michael Lewis
Mon Jan 27, 2020 3:07 am
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Banjola buzz fixing and new tailpiece/bridge?
Replies: 7
Views: 17136

Re: Banjola buzz fixing and new tailpiece/bridge?

Have you looked at the Stewart/MacDonald catalog?

You want a glue on type bridge with no pins? Maybe more like a classical guitar bridge? What sort of structure is on the inside of the soundboard? 5/8" is pretty tall for a glue on, but much more realistic for a floating bridge.
by Michael Lewis
Sun Jan 26, 2020 4:58 am
Forum: Archtop Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: MIMF Archtop Guitar Project
Replies: 65
Views: 764724

Re: MIMF Archtop Guitar Project

Thank you Mark, I used to spend a lot of time here, kinda blowing off my problems of the day. It was sort of a refuge at times where I could relax with solving other people's problems. Repair work is a problem solving process with a bit of work to get it done. I love your "Garbage in, Compost o...
by Michael Lewis
Tue Jan 21, 2020 4:56 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Alvarez “bridge”
Replies: 11
Views: 13222

Re: Alvarez “bridge”

If you are operating a repair service the Bridge Saver from StewMac can be a real money maker. I used to charge $25 per hole, or $100 for repairing the whole bridge plate. It sure beats removing and replacing the whole bridge plate. The exception would be if the hole has been excessively eroded, in ...
by Michael Lewis
Mon Jan 20, 2020 3:29 am
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Body vise
Replies: 8
Views: 10105

Re: Body vise

Very nice idea! You have used some ingenuity to solve a particular problem(sanding) and come away with something even more useful in general repair work. I do have a suggestion to bear in mind; that when clamping a guitar body you can apply clamping pressure along the very edges, both front to back ...
by Michael Lewis
Sat Jan 18, 2020 5:46 pm
Forum: Archtop Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: MIMF Archtop Guitar Project
Replies: 65
Views: 764724

Re: MIMF Archtop Guitar Project

Wow! Almost three years since the last post! I guess this project is hibernating, looks too good to be dead. My apology to all for dropping out when I did, but Life circumstances had redirected my efforts. Now I can come up for some air but in a much diminished state. My business is closed, my state...
by Michael Lewis
Sat Jan 18, 2020 3:26 am
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Alvarez “bridge”
Replies: 11
Views: 13222

Re: Alvarez “bridge”

Have fun with the StewMac Bridge Saver. It is a very good tool for this application.

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