Search found 60 matches

by Tom Owen
Wed Mar 30, 2022 2:21 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: StewMac Nut Rescue Powder
Replies: 15
Views: 21046

Re: StewMac Nut Rescue Powder

I have not used the SM potion. But baking soda works for me. The main thing is I tell customers that this is a temporary fix, what they really need is a new nut. Most go for a new nut.
by Tom Owen
Tue Dec 21, 2021 5:13 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Repair of '74 Martin D-18
Replies: 29
Views: 20448

Re: Repair of '74 Martin D-18

I would consider removing the back and then re-bracing the top... I have re-topped guitars before, but I would think of that as a last resort. while 74 wasn't the best of years from Martin, that guitar has had 47 years of playing time on, while re-bracing will have an effect re-topping would be a ne...
by Tom Owen
Wed Sep 29, 2021 1:22 pm
Forum: Other Stringed Instruments
Topic: Pete Seeger Long neck banjo...
Replies: 5
Views: 5507

Re: Pete Seeger Long neck banjo...

Thanks for the comments... I just used standard med gauge strings with no issues. The banjo is not for sale, being retired now, I build for myself and only take the occasional custom order when I feel like it. :D
by Tom Owen
Wed Sep 29, 2021 1:18 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: gluing pickguards
Replies: 10
Views: 17370

Re: gluing pickguards

I have plenty of experience with (repairing) this method. Simple answer, don't do it. Celluloid and lacquer shrink at different rates, leading the pickguard to the dreaded "potato chipping" There is a reason that Martin, Gibson, et all don't use this method anymore, it does not work. Just ...
by Tom Owen
Tue Sep 07, 2021 1:34 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Masking bridge location
Replies: 12
Views: 6100

Re: Masking bridge location

I position the bridge on the unfinished top drill thru 2 bridge pin holes, and then mask with tape. I put tape down on a piece of glass lay the bridge on it and cut around the bridge with a sharp knife. Carefully peel the tape off the glass then on to the top. Taylor uses 2 1/8" nylon locating ...
by Tom Owen
Mon Jul 19, 2021 1:21 pm
Forum: Other Stringed Instruments
Topic: Pete Seeger Long neck banjo...
Replies: 5
Views: 5507

Re: Pete Seeger Long neck banjo...

Nothing special, it was a one off from Stew Mac maybe 10-12 years ago. It is a multi lam rim and only 5/8 thick, which I like for an open back. Also just a simple brass tone ring. When I bought it (I think about $30) I had no idea what I was going to use it for, but couldn't pass up the deal. The qu...
by Tom Owen
Sun Jul 18, 2021 3:35 pm
Forum: Other Stringed Instruments
Topic: Pete Seeger Long neck banjo...
Replies: 5
Views: 5507

Pete Seeger Long neck banjo...

So pretty straight forward. A 32" scale banjo. The rim is one I bought many years ago and never used. The neck (I made) is Sapele. Very cool to be able to play in open E :D
by Tom Owen
Fri Jun 25, 2021 2:26 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Framus 4 string banjo repair
Replies: 9
Views: 7839

Re: Framus 4 string banjo repair

I couldn't find a lot but are you sure that the last digit is a "1" not an "I". From what I can tell if it is an I it was built in December of 1967.
by Tom Owen
Thu Jun 24, 2021 4:30 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Framus 4 string banjo repair
Replies: 9
Views: 7839

Re: Framus 4 string banjo repair

Looks like they run about $300 depending on condition.
by Tom Owen
Wed Jun 16, 2021 6:20 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

No...the neck tenon is glued in the mortise. The neck bolt is basically a clamping device. You still need to steam the neck off.
by Tom Owen
Sun Apr 18, 2021 4:29 pm
Forum: Ukuleles
Topic: Machete
Replies: 9
Views: 26641

Re: Machete

Mahalo!
by Tom Owen
Mon Apr 12, 2021 4:47 pm
Forum: Ukuleles
Topic: Machete
Replies: 9
Views: 26641

Re: Machete

A little different... with the longer scale there seems to be more sustain and depth.. I have not used it but the original tuning would probably change things also. It was a non reentrant open G tuning.
by Tom Owen
Tue Apr 06, 2021 2:31 pm
Forum: Ukuleles
Topic: Machete
Replies: 9
Views: 26641

Re: Machete

It has a soprano sized body. Here is a comparison shot with a concert banjolele, concert resonator and the machete
by Tom Owen
Mon Apr 05, 2021 8:22 pm
Forum: Ukuleles
Topic: Machete
Replies: 9
Views: 26641

Re: Machete

It's a 15" scale, and uses nylon strings.
by Tom Owen
Mon Apr 05, 2021 3:41 pm
Forum: Ukuleles
Topic: Machete
Replies: 9
Views: 26641

Machete

So this is a machete, the forerunner of the ukulele. Originally made in Hawaii in the late 1800's by three Portuguese luthiers. As they became popular in the islands the shape changed a bit, the tunings changed and well as the scale length and it became the ukulele. This one has Koa back and sides, ...
by Tom Owen
Fri Mar 05, 2021 7:28 pm
Forum: Wood and Materials Q&A
Topic: Vintage tuning pins
Replies: 18
Views: 22509

Re: Vintage tuning pins

Well I am at a dead-end. I don't think the pins hand made or manufactured from where ever will help your identification of the instrument. Nor will the spruce help. Picea abies, so-called German spruce grows all over Europe very little of it (if any) comes today from Germany. Also Picea abies was co...
by Tom Owen
Fri Mar 05, 2021 2:29 pm
Forum: Wood and Materials Q&A
Topic: Vintage tuning pins
Replies: 18
Views: 22509

Re: Vintage tuning pins

Does you instrument look somewhat like this? If so it is probably American made, by Charles F. Zimmermann. If that is the case you still have a very rare autoharp, as Zimmermann patented the deign in 1882. It is not known if any exist.
by Tom Owen
Thu Mar 04, 2021 10:19 pm
Forum: Ukuleles
Topic: Banjolele
Replies: 3
Views: 9205

Re: Banjolele

No, Remo fiberskyn.

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