#16
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The second fret first string area is barely there...must be magic. |
#17
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#18
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Does it have to be restored? I would put it back in it's case and stick it under the bed. Their's no rule that says you have to be the one to pay for restoration. You should spend as much or as little as you like. Welcome to the forum.
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Bourgeois, Collings, R Taylor, Santa Cruz |
#19
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Fixed and stable, playable? Yes. I want to play it. |
#20
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Dennis Berck in Oregon is recognized by many as one of the top luthiers for vintage Gibson repairs. The 3 suggested by Todd Yates are also at the top of the craft.
I would reach out to a couple of them and send pictures and get their advice on how far you should go on the repair vs. full restore. Personally I'd do as much as possible to get it back to original and get it playable and stable. Please let us know what you decide. |
#21
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Brothers Music - Wind Gap PA.
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i got tired of updating my guitars. |
#22
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I just wanted to say good luck! She looks amazing!
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Gibson J45 Standard Blueridge BR-361 |
#23
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She looks great and I hope she is well restored by someone skilled.
She deserves it. |
#24
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Closeups of the area in front of the bridge and behind the bridge, especially the bass side wing, would help. It appears that there may be cross-grain cracking in front of the bridge. If so, you are right to consider that as serious damage. Also get photos showing how high the top is bellied (put a straightedge across it behind the bridge).
The tailblock, side, and back cracks, and refret are basic repairs. Stabilizing the bridge area and repairing damage to the top call for sophisticated skills. So does an original style bridge replacement with finish touchup. The refinish looks professional. How much wood was removed from the top in the process is critical. I would expect that a spruce graft under the bridge area and a new bridge plate will be needed, but those choices should be made with the guitar in hand. It is worth fixing right. You might add David Collins in Ann Arbor to your list of those to consider without going too long a distance.
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"Still a man hears what he wants to hear, and disregards the rest." --Paul Simon |
#25
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Spruce graft... Hmm, I'll have to educate myself. I have seen stories of tops splitting like sheets of paper when the wood fibers run diagonal through the top. I was worried about that, too. The lacquer refinish does look pretty nice, the neck is flawless. The body is checking just like you'd expect 30+ year old lacquer to do, actually, but my understanding is that the refinisher was the one who nicked the tuners... Last edited by Kerbie; 09-26-2017 at 02:34 PM. Reason: Removed masked profanity |
#26
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Let me qualify first to say I am NOT a collector.
With that out of the way... I'm a sucker for old guitars with a story or an emotional attachment. I'm also a sucker for players. I am one who believes that when you come across a guitar that has worn fretboard or finish, it means someone loved playing it. If it were mine, and I had the money, like you, I would make it a playable guitar... I would lean towards restoring it with era correct/correct replacement parts and such, like the correct size bridge, etc. I would have the bracing looked at and repaired as needed, the cracks could be repaired, etc. I'd want it stable and ready to give another 60+ years wortht of joy tot eh family! |
#27
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
#28
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35 years ago, originality was less of a value, and many people had their tuners replaced with Grovers or Schallers for better function. The original tuners were not valuable, and got tossed into a box by the person doing the replacement. It was not considered "nicking."
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"Still a man hears what he wants to hear, and disregards the rest." --Paul Simon |
#29
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Spruce graft education, examples from some of the best, and free of charge. link
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Last edited by Guest 1928; 09-25-2017 at 02:50 PM. |
#30
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I am kinda with Howard here on what appears to be a crossgrain crack in front of the bridge.. That would concern me a lot.. I would really want to poke a mirror in there to make sure it's not just lint and trash inside the guitar...
My goal on this old gem would be to make it playable and structurally sound... Not necessarily to restore it. Luthier wise - you have some great recommendations. My opinion is that this guitar is worth a "pilgrimage" to take it to the fellow and have him look it over with you... That way - you guys can talk it over and decide the best course of action with the instrument in his hands... Thanks |