Adding inlay to an older guitar

[M Sarad]

I have a 12 year old Merrill OM28. I keep looking at OM42 style inlays on Martins and other guitars by independent luthiers. Rather than sink 15k into a new one, is it feasible or just idiotic to replace the herringbone on the Merrill with a 42 style inlay?

Anyone hear brave enough to take on the challenge?

Thanks in advance for your input,

Matt

[billgennaro]

Matt,

I think it is feasible. However, I wouldn't doubt it if it means removing all the binding and purfling, and replacing it with Abalone and new binding. Then the entire guitar would most likely need to be refinished.

Sounds expensive!

But perhaps one of our illustrious luthiers will chime in here.

[M Sarad]

When I asked Steve Swan,who sold me the guitar, about this, his response was one of , shall we say, polite admonishment.

[Nort]

"When I asked Steve Swan,who sold me the guitar, about this, his response was one of , shall we say, polite admonishment"

That's understandable

When you have a guitar as outstanding as a Merrill OM-28,
you don't want to mess with success

[printer2]

You wouldn't consider getting a tattoo instead would you?

[harvl]

It of course can be done... as I tell folks... it was just a pile of wood once...

It would require removing the neck and bridge, then the herringbone would need to be carefully routed away, then a channel a little wider would need to be cut (one little slip and add rebinding the top...) and then inlay the purfling and abalone and then finally the sides and top would need to be refinished, bridge reglued and neck reattached. Piece of cake...

Harv

[M Sarad]

Will this process give me the toasted wheat underpinnings like the old Martins?

[Tom West]

Originally Posted by M Sarad

Anyone hear brave enough to take on the challenge?

Matt: The real question is are" YOU brave enough to let someone do it"?
Tom

[JoeCharter]

I would keep the OM-28 intact and save up for a 000-42. Both styles are classic and attractive in their own way IMHO.

Originally Posted by harvl

It of course can be done... as I tell folks... it was just a pile of wood once...

It would require removing the neck and bridge, then the herringbone would need to be carefully routed away, then a channel a little wider would need to be cut (one little slip and add rebinding the top...) and then inlay the purfling and abalone and then finally the sides and top would need to be refinished, bridge reglued and neck reattached. Piece of cake...

Harv

I could be wrong but wouldn't the fingerboard need to be truncated as well? This would leave room for the fingerboard extension inlay -- arguably my favourite part of 42-style instruments.

[Jimmy Caldwell]

Originally Posted by JoeCharter

I would keep the OM-28 intact and save up for a 000-42. Both styles are classic and attractive in their own way IMHO.




I could be wrong but wouldn't the fingerboard need to be truncated as well? This would leave room for the fingerboard extension inlay -- arguably my favourite part of 42-style instruments.

It would. It would also require either replacing the fingerboard or routing it for binding and replacing the inlay with 42 style. As Harv said, it can be done, but it wouldn't be cheap.

[Larry Pattis]

Originally Posted by Tom West

Matt: The real question is are" YOU brave enough to let someone do it"?
Tom

...and is your wallet deep enough?

[racman]

I vote for feasible AND idiotic...