Search found 117 matches
- Sun Dec 13, 2020 2:51 pm
- Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
- Topic: Neck Joint Database
- Replies: 5
- Views: 1809
Re: Neck Joint Database
I love the idea of an actual database where you could search for neck pics by name, date etc. The Frets Neckset thread is a good but limited and you have to just go go through it and see what you can find. I'm always working on oddball and vintage guitars so having a place I can go to for info on a ...
- Fri Oct 02, 2020 11:12 am
- Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
- Topic: Repair sunken f-holes?
- Replies: 4
- Views: 1734
Re: Repair sunken f-holes?
IMG_7156.jpg IMG_7159.jpg I recently restored a Kay arch top that had been made for Sears and Roebuck. Most arch tops I've seen generally have some sort of support beneath the F holes, usually a thin plywood or spruce template that matches the cut out and re-enforces the area to prevent warpage. Th...
- Mon Jun 22, 2020 2:43 pm
- Forum: Classified Ads
- Topic: Wanted: Kay/Harmony Bridge
- Replies: 1
- Views: 2390
Re: Wanted: Kay/Harmony Bridge
Hi Folks,
I was able to locate a replacement bridge for the immediate project, but I do plan on restoring more of this type and era guitar so I'm still interested in additional bridges should anyone have any to sell.
Thanks!
Chris Vallillo
Orphan Instruments
I was able to locate a replacement bridge for the immediate project, but I do plan on restoring more of this type and era guitar so I'm still interested in additional bridges should anyone have any to sell.
Thanks!
Chris Vallillo
Orphan Instruments
- Sat Jun 13, 2020 9:50 pm
- Forum: Classified Ads
- Topic: Wanted: Kay/Harmony Bridge
- Replies: 1
- Views: 2390
Wanted: Kay/Harmony Bridge
Hi Everyone, Thanks for hooking me up with the Kay bolts. Since I received those, I've bought another guitar that needs the KAY rosewood bridge that has the strings go through it, but not the top. See the attached pics. I've seen these on Kay, Harmony and Orpheum guitars. I'm getting into restoring ...
- Wed Jun 03, 2020 11:00 pm
- Forum: Classified Ads
- Topic: Wanted, Kay Bridge Bolts
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1985
Re: Wanted, Kay Bridge Bolts
Hi Paul,
I thought I answered this yesterday, but don't see the reply. Yes, those do look like they would work. I'd be delighted to buy them from you if you can spare them. Send me the details. Thanks!
I thought I answered this yesterday, but don't see the reply. Yes, those do look like they would work. I'd be delighted to buy them from you if you can spare them. Send me the details. Thanks!
- Thu May 21, 2020 6:03 pm
- Forum: Classified Ads
- Topic: Wanted, Kay Bridge Bolts
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1985
Wanted, Kay Bridge Bolts
Hi Folks, I'm currently restoring a late 40s-50s Kay Jumbo guitar. IMG_6764.JPG I was ablate locate an original bridge, but unfortunately, it did not come with the original decorated bridge bolts as as seen here: s-l1600 3.jpg IMG_0560.jpg I'd love to locate a set and would be glad to pay a reasonab...
- Thu Oct 10, 2019 2:30 pm
- Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
- Topic: 1915 Gibson A pickguard issue
- Replies: 9
- Views: 4636
Re: 1915 Gibson A pickguard issue
Hi John, I've traced the outline of the Gibson A Pickguard onto 1/4" graph paper which is probably a much more accurate way to give you dimensions. I'll attach it here as a J-peg. You can download the PDF of this at this google drive link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=19DjwFzsqBtxD2LX7CaUz5Pqrun...
- Wed Oct 09, 2019 6:27 pm
- Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
- Topic: Removing patches from inside guitar
- Replies: 4
- Views: 2909
Re: Removing patches from inside guitar
I just did the very thing on the Harmony I spoke of in the earlier post. In that case, it was a piece of spruce about 1 1/2" X 6 1/2". After leaving the wet paper towel on overnight, a bent, sharpened knife easily slid underneath the piece and separated it with little trouble. The only tough spot wa...
- Tue Oct 08, 2019 11:43 pm
- Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
- Topic: 1915 Gibson A pickguard issue
- Replies: 9
- Views: 4636
Re: 1915 Gibson A pickguard issue
Hi John, Let me take a look at it tomorrow and get some measurements. And yes, I'd be interested in a template for the bridge. Thanks!
- Tue Oct 01, 2019 12:38 pm
- Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
- Topic: Removing patches from inside guitar
- Replies: 4
- Views: 2909
Re: Removing patches from inside guitar
I am currently doing a similar process on a Harmony H-165. In this case, someone modified the guitar to have a "through the top" bridge rather than the original "through the bridge only" arrangement Harmony used on these guitars. In the process of drilling pin holes, they damaged the re-enforcement ...
- Mon Sep 30, 2019 8:29 pm
- Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
- Topic: 1915 Gibson A pickguard issue
- Replies: 9
- Views: 4636
Re: 1915 Gibson A pickguard issue
Hi John,
I'm not sure exactly how to measure the 1/2 moon section (not exactly sure where it starts and ends!), but I'd be glad to trace the entire pick guard while it's off and accessible if that would help. Let me know.
I'm not sure exactly how to measure the 1/2 moon section (not exactly sure where it starts and ends!), but I'd be glad to trace the entire pick guard while it's off and accessible if that would help. Let me know.
- Thu Sep 19, 2019 2:15 am
- Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
- Topic: 1915 Gibson A pickguard issue
- Replies: 9
- Views: 4636
Re: 1915 Gibson A pickguard issue
Success! After another slow heating with the soldering iron on the frets, I was able to get the pickguard to come lose. A slow process to be sure, but gentle use of the wedges, heat and an antique putty knife made things go quite well. As suggested, the nails were bent and rusty and it did "pop" off...
- Sun Sep 15, 2019 10:30 pm
- Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
- Topic: 1915 Gibson A pickguard issue
- Replies: 9
- Views: 4636
Re: 1915 Gibson A pickguard issue
Thanks John. I also posted on Mandolin Cafe and got some good advice along those lines as well. I'm going to apply a bit of thin lemon oil to attempt to lubricate it, then gentle heat before trying to edge it out as you describe. I'll let you know how it goes.
- Sun Sep 15, 2019 6:01 pm
- Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
- Topic: 1915 Gibson A pickguard issue
- Replies: 9
- Views: 4636
1915 Gibson A pickguard issue
I recently bought a very nice 1915 Gibson A mandolin with several face cracks, but otherwise in very good condition with the original pickguard and tailpiece cover in excellent condition. The face cracks shouldn't be too hard to fix, but in order to work on them, I need to remove the pickguard. It c...
- Mon Feb 04, 2019 12:52 pm
- Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
- Topic: Washburn 1986 style 115 restoration
- Replies: 5
- Views: 3724
Re: Washburn 1986 style 115 restoration
Yes, That's definitely the decision! I've been working on basic repairs of the guitar first and making modest progress. I've got to say, the wood is beautiful! I pulled the back and glued up three major splits, one small one and the back seam cover. Hide glue. The foil is covering the original label...
- Tue Jan 29, 2019 6:51 pm
- Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
- Topic: Repair of 1975 Gibson J-45
- Replies: 77
- Views: 41820
Re: Repair of 1975 Gibson J-45
Barry, Outstanding work! Thanks for sharing. I turned down working on an orange label Gibson Dove with almost the identical neck twist about 6 mos ago. The guitar was in beautiful condition but the neck was terrible. It's great to get insight as to exactly what it would have taken to do the job right!
- Sun Jan 27, 2019 2:28 pm
- Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
- Topic: Washburn 1986 style 115 restoration
- Replies: 5
- Views: 3724
Re: Washburn 1986 style 115 restoration
Yes, I'm really leaning that way. Just wanted to get some other opinions before taking the leap!
- Sat Jan 26, 2019 2:47 pm
- Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
- Topic: Washburn 1986 style 115 restoration
- Replies: 5
- Views: 3724
Re: Washburn 1986 style 115 restoration
IMG_1140.jpg IMG_1398.JPG It's typical of the era with a very simple ladder bracing. The original "bridge plate" is intact, though shows serious ware. I'm thinking that this is another good candidate for X bracing using the same bracing pattern I took from my own Washburn 1897 Style New Model 145. ...
- Sat Jan 26, 2019 2:37 pm
- Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
- Topic: Washburn 1986 style 115 restoration
- Replies: 5
- Views: 3724
Washburn 1986 style 115 restoration
As I mentioned in a previous post, I recently acquired an 1896 style New Model Washburn guitar. From the description in Pleijsier's excellent book Washburn Pre War Instrument Styles, I have determined that this is a 112 size guitar (rosewood b/s and headstock overlay, cedar neck, 18 fret ebony fb w ...
- Sat Jan 26, 2019 1:48 pm
- Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
- Topic: Washburn New Model 115 X bracing
- Replies: 4
- Views: 3043
Re: Washburn New Model 115 X bracing
Thanks very much, Barry! I'll try to post the restoration of the second 115 as I do it but wanted to share this project first.