#16
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Replacement tuner knobs, $2-$3 each from StewMac. Shouldn't cost much to have a tech do that work (call around & ask, I recommend Chicago Music Exchange in the city or Guitar Works in Evanston). Seems like a very worthwhile project to me!
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stai scherzando? |
#17
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I've never done a bridge replacement, although i used to have the tools and did a few repairs here and there. We move so much, i just donated them to a local shop. Come to think of it......i should call them and see what they would charge since they know me and all.... |
#18
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Cool old guitar and great story! I've restored dozens of old guitars like that, and I would definitely restore that one if I were you. Based on the pictures and my own experience, here is list of possible/likely issues you will have restoring it.
Of course the obvious are the bridge, top cracks, and tuner buttons (which are easily replaced). There will probably be some loose internal braces that will have to be reglued. The neck will likely need a reset. If you put a straight edge across the frets it should align with the top of the bridge. Or just sight down the top of the frets toward the bridge. I doubt that it has any sort of truss rod or neck reinforcement, so the neck likely has an up-bow. I've had reasonably good outcomes heating and clamping the neck to straighten it. If you want it to be a player, you can have a truss rod or carbon-fiber rods installed. The top doesn't look like it is deformed too bad, and considering the finish wear on the neck, the frets still look remarkably good, but will probably need some leveling and dressing. If you want it to be a good player, you might consider refretting. There are techs/luthiers around that should be able to do a quality job for under $500. We're not talking a pre-war Martin where using the wrong glue on a brace knocks the value down by thousands.... It's a family heirloom that is worn and shows battle scars, but deserves to be brought back to life. |
#19
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Oh man!
That thing's got major mojo. I'd never clean it, or even remove those strings. All the dust, rust, even the decomposed plastic tuner knobs, help tell its wonderful story. "Melody Ranch", I love it! Last edited by Tico; 08-07-2019 at 05:03 PM. |
#20
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"You start off playing guitars to get girls & end up talking with middle-aged men about your fingernails" - Ed Gerhard |
#21
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#22
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I wonder if you could do a Baxendale conversion on it.
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#23
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Another good repair person to consider in the area is Marc Babin at babinguitars.com. He's in Hampshire, IL and has been my go-to guitar tech for ~10 years.
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#24
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Well much work to do (top repair, new tuners (mice bites ?), new bridge...) with uncertain results.
I would just polish a bit, put used strings on and hang on the wall as a "Tribute to Grandma" who apparently inspired you to play guitar. ;-)
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Needed some nylons, a wide range of acoustics and some weirdos to be happy... |
#25
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#26
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This was my thought. Baxendale loves these old melody ranch guitars, and though it would cost about $1k, you’d have a guitar that played and sounded better than it did out of the factory, and you’d actually be able to use it.
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1949 Gibson J-50 1956 Gibson LG-2 Baxendale Conversion Yamaha FG-180 Red Label Seagull S6 GT |
#27
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Best, Jayne |
#28
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Glad to hear that this seems to be working out well...
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Emerald X20 Emerald X20-12 Fender Robert Cray Stratocaster Martin D18 Ambertone Martin 000-15sm |
#29
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Taylor 512ce Urban Ironbark Fender Special Edition Stratocaster Eastman SB59 |
#30
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Not sure where you live, but I would put in a very strong reference for Denny Rauen in Milwaukee. If you're on the North side (Evansville/Skokie and further), his shop might actually be closer (shorter drive), and his work is outstanding. Everything I have ever taken to him has come back in better shape than I thought possible, and as near as I can tell he treats every instrument that comes through his shop the same way as he treats historic instruments with "name" provenance.
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Under construction |