The Restoration Page

 

 

 

This instrument was poorly repaired at one point. The back and neck had been off it once already and the cracks in the top had not been taken care of properly. So I needed to take the back and neck off again and save the sinking top by removing everything including all the braces and cleating from the top. The neck joint is like an old violin joint.

 

 

 

 

The top is lateral braced with large spruce pieces for a bridge plate and for strength in front of the neck block. After much consideration to originality, we decided to x-brace the top in order to keep the original top from sinking further. Also to my surprise the back is a laminate of koa on the outside and mahogany on the inside sandwiched around a layer of poplar while the sides are solid koa. I will replace any of the damaged mahogany with new pieces and age them.

 

 

 

 

This is the top with everything removed. Next the x brace was made and radiused to give the top the proper curve to stop it from sinking in when string pressure is applied. It is shown being glued in place.

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The label from this guitar was damaged but keywords still visible

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now the maple bridgeplate can also be glued in place. I now have glued the rest of the braces in place along with reinforcement for the cracks. The bridge and pickguard are now back in place.

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile I took apart the back so the damaged center strip can be replaced along with the damaged interior veneer and braces all the while trying to keep the label in the same condition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the right is the archtop with the neck off. I need to fix the sides on this before I can get to putting the neck back on, replacing missing engraved inlays and making a replacement pickguard for it. This instrument has the original gold grover tailpiece and tuners and the original hand made bridge. I probably will wait till I am done with the flattop to start this one since summer is approaching and I need to get the braces on it.