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Private member DiscussionDiscussions

broken truss rod Repair

Hi, I just saw the Trussrod repair/ new fretboard post by Dan Erlewine and Rodrigo Gomes. I really liked it, especially the idea of carving the fretboard with the table saw! I could not comment on the article. I am sure there was a reason for replacing the whole fingerboard in their case. I wanted to document an alternative method that I tried two weeks ago with sucess. I did not invent it though, i have seen it somewhere in the interne…

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Great work!
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

Music Nomad Nut File Storage

Finally! I have come up with a way to keep these music nomad nut files organized in a functional way! This can be hung up on pegboard when not in use or the removable base can be added to make it free standing on whatever bench I’m on.

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High and tight!
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

This Gaping Maw

Working on this 1934/35 Regal built Dobro. It's a Model 37 roundneck in with a few issues-main ones being a bodgy slotted headstock repair, some missing binding, misaligned tailpiece, modified rim on the soundwell etc. It's been a gig pig on and off for the 30 years the current owner has had it. He want's to ditch the Barcus Berry PU, which was on it when he bought the guitar, and patch the hatchet work. I'm guessing the top was origina…

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Would it also be worth shimming up the neck stick minimally to widen the gap a tiny bit to build some pressure into the glue ups when shim is removed later This part I don't quit understand. Could you…
Private member DiscussionElectric Builds

Electric build Tremolo bridge with Piezo options

Hi all! I am new here, and really excited to be a part of the community. I am starting a new build, a 6 string semi hollow carved top with Tremolo bridge and Piezo. I'd appreciate some input to choose the best system out there. I haven't used/fixed/installed a tremolo with piezo bridge lately. I am open to hearing if you have come across something lately and felt impressed by it. It's going to be a workhorse guitar for a touring musician.…

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Graph Tech have Ghost saddles for other styles of bridge too. Check out https://graphtech.com/collections/fender. You should get something that'll retrofit a two-point trem. Their Acoustiphonic preamp…
Private member DiscussionDiscussions

StewMac is Looking for Help with SEO Articles

Hey all. StewMac is looking for an experienced luthier (build and repair) to help us refine a series of articles for our website designed to enhance our SEO optimization (part time / contract). This work is remote and you will coordinate with our marketing team and SEO agency. The main objective will be editing and making suggestions to our team to ensure the quality of the information is accurate and reflects best practices within the cr…

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Private member DiscussionElectric Repair

double neck guitar

I have some one with a double neck 6 sting/ bass who wants to wire a stereo jack to split the guitar to one amp and the bass to another amp. Before I give up does anyone have knowledge of how to do this? My skill set for electric guitars is- I can solder and follow a wiring diagram, and that's it.

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I'm with James on this. Sounds like you need to move backwards from the jack, isolating the outputs of both circuits to make sure each works on its own first. Unsolder the hots from the jack and try e…
Private member DiscussionDiscussions

Calling all Proper Workstation Modders...

We are having an event with Dan Erlewine on September 29th focussing on the Total Vise Proper Workstation and the Erlewine Bodyless Neck Support. As part of that event we would like to see your modifications, jigs, helpers, hold-downs, prop-ups, or other wizardry you have come up with to enhance your workstaion. Please reach out to me and let me know if you'd like to participate.

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That's a definite yes from me for the Total Vice mods discussion. -Patrick
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

repair suggestions for top cracks

This is a no name classical with fan bracing. The owner , an orthopedic surgeon , had a friend buy this for him years ago in europe. His daughter had it for a few years and the cracks showed up. I had repaired some of the other top cracks with TJ Thompsons cauls and cleats. These two cracks I wonder about. Both are cupped upwards slightly. I have pictures of the cracks and pictures with a clear overlay showing the bracing below. I really…

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Thanks Ian. I have seen the Doug and Dan video with TJ Thompson but could not find any others. I was thinking of splining the wider crack but it is cupped up. How would you handle that? Also looking i…
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

re-working very old hide glue repair

Lyon and Healy Parlor repair. Is there any good method to soften/release old hide glue and re-clamp to close the gap? The braces will be removed and new X bracing installed. This appears to be a very old repair using hide glue, but it wasn't quite closed up at the time of the original repair so the crack is still open. Its holding very well and we may just leave it. But wanted to run this by the group. Looking to perhaps steam it along t…

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Could there be 2 glues in the picture? The tan/brown translucent glue looks like HHG. The purplish red-hued glue looks like Weldwood resorcinol, which was a 2 part powder/resin system. My father and I…
Tom Krebs - Mill Street Guitar DiscussionDiscussions

Simple Tool

Here is a simple tool that has helped me many times. Mic goose neck with a cut drum stick on end to push out side damage repairs. It also has a couple of magnets on the other end to position cleats or connect with outer magnets.

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Ian Davlin
Dude, thanks for sharing that!
Private member DiscussionDiscussions

Collapsing Soundhole — Mid 60’s Epiphone Texan

A local shop I do repairs for sent me this photo of a Texan where the neck is collapsing into the soundhole. I’ve repaired and cleated these kind of cracks before they get this bad, but have never dealt with such misalignment. Looking for advice on how I’d go about realigning the cracks and whether it’s achievable. I’d imaging the neck would have to come off and I’d have to place some sort of jack inside the guitar from tail block to nec…

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Alex, that looks like a tough customer given the amount of misalignment. If I wasn't sure about the neck pocket being a dovetail joint I would try something like this first - https://loothgroup.com/lo…
Private member DiscussionElectric Repair

Feedback on Jaguar Nut Slot/Channel Repair

Hey guys, I’d love to get some suggestions on how to finish this repair aesthetically. The customer brought it in because this piece had split while trying to remove the saddle using a rubber mallet. My main concern is that the joint between the two pieces of wood is still visible. I was thinking of doing what I’ve always done: using wood dust mixed with CA glue or Titebond. But I was wondering if you guys use a different method that migh…

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Hey Ian, it looks much better with the Fill and Finish CA! I still need to sand a few areas a little more and apply some gloss lacquer, but I think it’s going to turn out great! Thanks so much. It’s t…
Private member DiscussionElectric Repair

feedback on Les Paul Headstock repair

I need some suggestions from the many great repair senseis out there.The customer is fine with a structural repair and not concerned about making it invisible. I told him you will see anything I do. He was fine with that and has a budget of between $700-1000. It's a clean break. nothing missing, It closes tightly.. I was thinking either 1) the generic double splines one on either side of truss rod and touchup as best I can. Or 2) the ab…

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With a break like this with plenty of surface area, I would just glue it without any additional supports. My glue of choice is hot hide glue, but there will be lots of opinions on that and many option…
Ian Davlin DiscussionDiscussions

Celluloid Chronicles Ep. 2 - Chet Atkins Nashville

Great video @member Hello People! Thanks for joining me for this binding repair video! We're working on a '72 Chet Atkins Nashville and a '60 Chet Atkins Country Gentleman. Cheers, Scotty D., Harpeth Guitar Restoration, LLC. Nashville, Tennessee

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Ian Davlin
@member is awesome!
Private member DiscussionDiscussions

Finish Chip Repair help.... Black fill n' finish?

It's not a big chip so Iwas thinking of trying the black glueboost fill n' finish. Is that the best option? Any tips/suggestions appreciated. Thx! David

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What Ian says. First stabilize with the wicking viscosity. I've done a lot of those, and find the black Gluboost is not nearly opaque enough for such repairs. I use regular F’nF in both viscosities. F…
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

Bridge Reglue Suggestions...

Hey everyone, I had a question on how to approach this bridge reglue. It's from a 1940's Kay type guitar, I removed the bridge without issue, and did some surfacing of the underside of it, but there's a problem. The bridge is missing material on the outer edges and I don't think I can remove much more material without compromising the overall shape and structure of it. I was wondering if you had suggestions on how to approach this? I wa…

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Unfortunately it's an absence of material on the bass and treble sides. @member