1899 Haynes Excelsior parlor Guitar Repair

[Roaster42]

I have this Haynes Excelsior that was my wife's Grandmothers.
She was a wonderful musician and lived in Upstate NY near Rochester.
She left me this parlor guitar when she died and I brought it south, where our humidity was a bit much for it.
(In my defense I play mostly Ovation Steel string Acoustic/Electrics and they are almost impervious to humidity...at least my Adamas models)

I realize it is cost prohibitive to look for a luthier to do the rebrace/repair.
I grew up in a luthery and although I don't relish the thought, I likely possess the skill necessary to work through it.

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This is a passion project, so logic plays very little in the decision making process. I would love any suggestions for where to research and get input.

Printer2 suggested I come over here from the Classical Guitar forum i know him from.
Thanks.

Jim

[Truckjohn]

I don't think that's a cheap beater instrument. Likely worth some money - though not Martin/Gibson money....

It looks like quite a large project. The neck will have to come off. I can't tell how the top and back to body joints are doing.... There are certainly plenty of cracks to deal with.

But it looks like you can certainly work with what you have got and conventional repair techniques will restore it. It's not like the top or sides are shattered and much of it is missing.

First off though - get those strings off. This instrument was designed for gut strings and can probably handle nylon.... Steel is another thing altogether.

Be sure to post pics of the progress..

[printer2]

I hate photobucket on my computer. Nicer to see them on the same page.

[Roaster42]

Thanks!!!

I have a few Forums and some allow direct posting and some don't.
I have gotten a few PM's so thanks everyone!!

[printer2]

I was hoping for a few of our real live luthiers that do repairs would chime in. Mind you they come by sporadically and it is hit and miss whether they catch a thread.