Next project - Martin 000-15 major restoration

[fazool]

I let go of my D-15M but still wondered if I could bond with a mahogany guitar (I love them in the stores).

Some AGF threads got me hankering to try adding a soundport to a cheap(er) guitar.

I also have been hankering for a more challenging repair project - preferably one without gloss finish (I am still working my way up to high end gloss work).

Well, I just picked up this for really cheap and it fits the bill perfectly:

The crack is easy to fix, the tuners easy to replace. The chip in the bottom will be tricky to make look nice and the holes will be replaced with a nice soundport design.

[redir]

I like the sound of all mahogany guitars too. That one looks like it took a tumble down the stairs.

[fazool]

The side crack will be easy to fix after rehydrating then gluing and clamping and stitching.

The removed pre-amp control holes will be converted into a soundport.

The bottom bout hole is missing a small piece so I might try to match the style/design of the soundport hole with a contrasting piece there if a patched piece doesn't come out good enough.

Once the body is salvaged, I will check if the neck needs a removal/reset.

The tuners are easy.

Then it's all basic setup and cleanup.

But, this one should keep me busy for a while in my hobby workshop.

[Earl49]

Just a quick thought, Fazool. Since you are removing the area with the pre-amp holes anyway to make a sound port, that chunk of wood might make a decent patch for the hole near the end pin. The wood should match pretty well, being original.

[opnwhl4]

I was watching this one as well. Can't wait to see how it turns out.

Bill

[fazool]

Originally Posted by Earl49

Just a quick thought, Fazool. Since you are removing the area with the pre-amp holes anyway to make a sound port, that chunk of wood might make a decent patch for the hole near the end pin. The wood should match pretty well, being original.

Oh, that is an excellent idea! Thanks !

I will definitely try to make that work, first. I sure am glad you mentioned it - I feel so silly for not even thinking of that!

[BB Brown]

Nice project, I hope you post pictures. One question, why a side sound pot hole? I know you have all they small holes, but I haven't seen many with a side port hole before. Thanks

[ruby50]

Why not leave the side holes and patent the pattern - "simulated electronics mounting holes as sound port". Think of the royalties.

Ed

[fazool]

OK, got my project guitar today. Already have two sets of tuners on coming from AGF members (one open an done closed gear to compare).

An internal camera inspection was reassuring



My first step was to fix the big crack in the side of the body.





To stabilize the crack, I made some minimally sized cleats from mahogany (to match the body structure and hopefully minimize further issues and tone loss).



I didn't take photos but, once the crack was sound and stable, I checked the neck joint. They tenon's bolt insert might be slipping. I custom adapted a new ss ohscs bolt. It seems to be holding ok.

I also pulled everything off, including the poorly made nut.

[fazool]

Nest step was beginning to addres the small smash hole by the tailpin.

By playing operation with long tools and Puzz3D, I was able to get the smashed in hole to fit together a lot better.




Then, to strengthen this I added a thin mahogany patch internally as more than a cleat.


The two-sided tape was a method I used to position the cleat.

All my cleats were put on with liquid hide glue.

Cracks were fixed with ultra low viscosity CA glue.

With these in place the smashed hole is approaching repairable

[fazool]

I decided to forego the large soundport and plug as much as I can.

Core drilling the plugs out of mahogany


mahogany plugs installed with grain aligned


Home made bending iron for patch strip (furnace exhaust pipe, soaked in wet paper towel)


Smashed spot rough-patched so far with mahogany strip.

[BB Brown]

Looking good. I like the idea of filling the holes. Post more pics as you go.

[fazool]

Improved mahogany patch in final place (previous was a trial run)


New neck bolt. Optical illusion form the reflective domed surface - it is an oval socket head cap screw.


Crack one came out invisible (the finish still needs to be done)


Crack two was a previously repaired crack. It needed leveling and came out invisible but will need a stain touch-up.

[Mbroady]

Very nice Fazool. Seems like you have a talent for this type of work (and the patience).

[fazool]

Got the neck off (first glued neck removal) with no damage or problems. This was a bolt+glue mortise and tenon joint so a nice first neck removal. I've done lots of bolt-on neck removals and some glued bridge removals so this was the next logical skill-step.

Anyway, it came off very well. Good thing I decided to stabilize the cracks first as the process put some stresses on the body. I had to repair one of the cracks I repaired, again.



I found and repaired the neck failure which was the threaded insert pulling out with a tiny hairline crack at the top, loosening the fit. I'm familiar with this type of structural repair and this was exactly what I was expecting to see (from the symptoms) so this went perfectly according to "plan".



Now, I can spend more time refinishing the body after I complete the wood repairs.

The only problem I ran into with this step was the cheapo rosette sticker was damaged in a small spot. I might even replace it with an inlay (like Martin did when reintroducing these as the xxx-15M models.