Search found 124 matches

by Chris Vallillo
Tue Jan 02, 2024 12:18 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: 1915 Gibson A pickguard issue
Replies: 13
Views: 29109

Re: 1915 Gibson A pickguard issue

I was able to remove this some time ago. I believe I used a combination of oil and heat as suggested below. I have not yet continued to restore the mando, I've had other paid projects jump ahead in line!.
by Chris Vallillo
Tue Nov 22, 2022 5:50 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Repair of '74 Martin D-18
Replies: 29
Views: 20881

Re: Repair of '74 Martin D-18

This is the first I've heard of a PMTE brace. I assume it's to stabilize the bridge plate area. Just what is it?
by Chris Vallillo
Tue Nov 22, 2022 5:34 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Discolored Crack Repair
Replies: 4
Views: 5947

Re: Discolored Crack Repair

I don't know if it would work in this situation, but Mamie Minch has a video on Stu mac where she uses Oxalic Acid to bleach old splits and top stains. I've used this technique with good results on many of the old parlors I work on. Here's the link: https://www.stewmac.com/video-and-ideas/online-res...
by Chris Vallillo
Fri Jul 29, 2022 2:20 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: StewMac Nut Rescue Powder
Replies: 15
Views: 21460

Re: StewMac Nut Rescue Powder

I was recently asked to use this product on a historic Knutsen Mandolin with severe damage to the nut. Extremely deep string groves, the nut had been raised to allow more cutting and sections between the paired strings had broken off. Even though I suggested cutting a new nut, being a historical ins...
by Chris Vallillo
Fri Jun 25, 2021 9:54 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Repair sunken f-holes?
Replies: 5
Views: 8204

Re: Repair sunken f-holes?

Sorry, I missed the rest of this post. Your solution looks great! Did you also glue in re-enforcement inside as well? Re the pickguard, it's a modern replacement from Ebay. Here's a similar one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tortoise-Archtop-Vinyl-Pickguard-/334046438122?hash=item4dc6b822ea And finally, ...
by Chris Vallillo
Fri Apr 02, 2021 6:39 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Saving a headstock that suffered multiple failures
Replies: 19
Views: 29829

Re: Saving a headstock that suffered multiple failures

Hey Paul, I just got back on the site and looked at the video you posted. Thanks!
by Chris Vallillo
Sat Mar 13, 2021 3:14 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Saving a headstock that suffered multiple failures
Replies: 19
Views: 29829

Re: Saving a headstock that suffered multiple failures

Wow! My hat is certainly off to you. Thanks so much for an extremely informative post. I've got an early Gibson F-2 Triple point with a broken headstock and will certainly steal some of your technique for that repair. Nothing as radical as your's, but I can see I need to get some West Systems Epoxy ...
by Chris Vallillo
Sun Dec 13, 2020 2:51 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Neck Joint Database
Replies: 5
Views: 8188

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 ...
by Chris Vallillo
Fri Oct 02, 2020 11:12 am
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Repair sunken f-holes?
Replies: 5
Views: 8204

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...
by Chris Vallillo
Mon Jun 22, 2020 2:43 pm
Forum: Classified Ads
Topic: Wanted: Kay/Harmony Bridge
Replies: 1
Views: 10346

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
by Chris Vallillo
Sat Jun 13, 2020 9:50 pm
Forum: Classified Ads
Topic: Wanted: Kay/Harmony Bridge
Replies: 1
Views: 10346

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 ...
by Chris Vallillo
Wed Jun 03, 2020 11:00 pm
Forum: Classified Ads
Topic: Wanted, Kay Bridge Bolts
Replies: 3
Views: 11198

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!
by Chris Vallillo
Thu May 21, 2020 6:03 pm
Forum: Classified Ads
Topic: Wanted, Kay Bridge Bolts
Replies: 3
Views: 11198

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...
by Chris Vallillo
Thu Oct 10, 2019 2:30 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: 1915 Gibson A pickguard issue
Replies: 13
Views: 29109

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=19DjwFzsqBtxD2LX7CaUz5...
by Chris Vallillo
Wed Oct 09, 2019 6:27 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Removing patches from inside guitar
Replies: 4
Views: 5702

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 tou...
by Chris Vallillo
Tue Oct 08, 2019 11:43 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: 1915 Gibson A pickguard issue
Replies: 13
Views: 29109

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!
by Chris Vallillo
Tue Oct 01, 2019 12:38 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Removing patches from inside guitar
Replies: 4
Views: 5702

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...
by Chris Vallillo
Mon Sep 30, 2019 8:29 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: 1915 Gibson A pickguard issue
Replies: 13
Views: 29109

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.
by Chris Vallillo
Thu Sep 19, 2019 2:15 am
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: 1915 Gibson A pickguard issue
Replies: 13
Views: 29109

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...
by Chris Vallillo
Sun Sep 15, 2019 10:30 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: 1915 Gibson A pickguard issue
Replies: 13
Views: 29109

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.

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