Restoration of a 1931 Martin 00-17

If you have a string instrument of any kind that needs fixing, a mistake you made in building a new instrument that you need to "disappear," or a question about the ethics of altering an older instrument, ask here. Please note that it will be much easier for us to help you decide on the best repair method if you post some pictures of the problem.
User avatar
Barry Daniels
Posts: 3186
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:58 am
Location: The Woodlands, Texas

Re: Restoration of a 1931 Martin 00-17

Post by Barry Daniels »

Finally done with the clamp construction. Man, that was more work than I thought it would be.
Attachments
IMG_1560Resized.jpg
IMG_1561Resized.jpg
MIMF Staff
User avatar
Barry Daniels
Posts: 3186
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:58 am
Location: The Woodlands, Texas

Re: Restoration of a 1931 Martin 00-17

Post by Barry Daniels »

So back to the replacement body. I glued the rest of the lower braces in the 25' radius form. Then I glued the upper braces in my half form that has a 60' radius for proper neck geometry. Finally, adding the splint on top of the X-brace joint (this is one of my few deviations from Martin methodology).
Attachments
IMG_1562Resized.jpg
IMG_1563Resized.jpg
MIMF Staff
Gordon Bellerose
Posts: 1186
Joined: Wed May 30, 2012 11:47 pm
Location: Edmonton AB. Canada

Re: Restoration of a 1931 Martin 00-17

Post by Gordon Bellerose »

Nice work.
I really appreciate all the pictures.
I need your help. I can't possibly make all the mistakes myself!
User avatar
Bob Gramann
Posts: 1101
Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2012 11:08 am
Location: Fredericksburg, VA
Contact:

Re: Restoration of a 1931 Martin 00-17

Post by Bob Gramann »

I like the idea of the 60’ radius form for the headblock area braces. I usually sand the fingerboard attachment area flat to accomplish the same on my builds. I’m going to have to think awhile about your approach.
User avatar
Barry Daniels
Posts: 3186
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:58 am
Location: The Woodlands, Texas

Re: Restoration of a 1931 Martin 00-17

Post by Barry Daniels »

I did the math once and the 60' radius gave me the optimum neck angle.
MIMF Staff
User avatar
Barry Daniels
Posts: 3186
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:58 am
Location: The Woodlands, Texas

Re: Restoration of a 1931 Martin 00-17

Post by Barry Daniels »

Shaping the braces to as close of specs for this age, as I can.
Attachments
IMG_1564Resized.jpg
IMG_1565Resized.jpg
IMG_1566Resized.jpg
MIMF Staff
User avatar
Barry Daniels
Posts: 3186
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:58 am
Location: The Woodlands, Texas

Re: Restoration of a 1931 Martin 00-17

Post by Barry Daniels »

Place my label on the popsicle brace. When viewed with a mirror it reads.....
Attachments
IMG_1567Resized.jpg
IMG_1568Resized.jpg
MIMF Staff
User avatar
Barry Daniels
Posts: 3186
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:58 am
Location: The Woodlands, Texas

Re: Restoration of a 1931 Martin 00-17

Post by Barry Daniels »

The new wood on the inside of the guitar is way too bright so I toned it down with an alcohol stain. You can see the contrast of the back and un-toned top.
Attachments
IMG_1570Resized.jpg
MIMF Staff
User avatar
Barry Daniels
Posts: 3186
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:58 am
Location: The Woodlands, Texas

Re: Restoration of a 1931 Martin 00-17

Post by Barry Daniels »

And finally, the new cam clamps make their debut.
Attachments
IMG_1571Resized.jpg
MIMF Staff
User avatar
Barry Daniels
Posts: 3186
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:58 am
Location: The Woodlands, Texas

Re: Restoration of a 1931 Martin 00-17

Post by Barry Daniels »

The clamps stained brown have pads that are angled for the waist and inline at the headlock.
Attachments
IMG_1574Resized.jpg
IMG_1575Resized.jpg
MIMF Staff
User avatar
Barry Daniels
Posts: 3186
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:58 am
Location: The Woodlands, Texas

Re: Restoration of a 1931 Martin 00-17

Post by Barry Daniels »

I am sure that after looking at Bob's elegant clamping arrangement, this will look like clamp overkill, but that is sort of my credo.
MIMF Staff
User avatar
Bob Gramann
Posts: 1101
Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2012 11:08 am
Location: Fredericksburg, VA
Contact:

Re: Restoration of a 1931 Martin 00-17

Post by Bob Gramann »

Yeah, it looks like overkill. But, congratulations. Your work looks very nice. Were it not for your label, I’m not sure folks would know it was new work after it ages a few years.
Chuck Tweedy
Posts: 1182
Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2012 6:25 pm
Location: San Diego, CA

Re: Restoration of a 1931 Martin 00-17

Post by Chuck Tweedy »

it is real nice - great job Barry
Likes to drink Rosewood Juice
Clay Schaeffer
Posts: 1674
Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2012 12:04 pm

Re: Restoration of a 1931 Martin 00-17

Post by Clay Schaeffer »

Looks like you are coming right along with it. The clamps look good too.
Something I use to "age" wood when I need to is Potassium permanganate. Some one gave me a bottle of it, but I've heard you can get it from pool supply places. It is a strong oxidizer. Sometimes when working on old wood (instruments or furniture) and need to restore the patina because I sanded through the original surface I will first start by oxidizing the wood surface with KMNO4. It can also be used where you want to "age " new wood.
User avatar
Barry Daniels
Posts: 3186
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:58 am
Location: The Woodlands, Texas

Re: Restoration of a 1931 Martin 00-17

Post by Barry Daniels »

Interesting Clay. I used to use thousands of gallons of the stuff to clean up contaminants in groundwater and soil. It starts out as a dark purple liquid and then turns clear as it reacts with other organic substances. It can neutralize all kind of baddies out there.
MIMF Staff
Clay Schaeffer
Posts: 1674
Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2012 12:04 pm

Re: Restoration of a 1931 Martin 00-17

Post by Clay Schaeffer »

I was given some lab grade crystals which I dissolve in water similar to what is listed here:
https://www.homesciencetools.com/produc ... eVEALw_wcB

Notice the customer review. I wonder if that was Berkowitz.
User avatar
Barry Daniels
Posts: 3186
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:58 am
Location: The Woodlands, Texas

Re: Restoration of a 1931 Martin 00-17

Post by Barry Daniels »

Yeah, probably him. I will have to try the KMNO4 next time. Thanks Clay.
MIMF Staff
Bob Francis
Posts: 582
Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2012 6:28 pm

Re: Restoration of a 1931 Martin 00-17

Post by Bob Francis »

This is so excellent!
I also want to compliment the staining of your clamps to differentiate between the two types.
User avatar
Barry Daniels
Posts: 3186
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:58 am
Location: The Woodlands, Texas

Re: Restoration of a 1931 Martin 00-17

Post by Barry Daniels »

Thank you, Bob.
MIMF Staff
User avatar
Barry Daniels
Posts: 3186
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:58 am
Location: The Woodlands, Texas

Re: Restoration of a 1931 Martin 00-17

Post by Barry Daniels »

Sanded the body down and sprayed a couple of coats of vinyl sealer.
Attachments
IMG_1576Resized.jpg
IMG_1577Resized.jpg
IMG_1578Resized.jpg
MIMF Staff
Post Reply

Return to “String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues”