July 2019 – Francis Guitar Repair

July 25, 2019July 25, 2019

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francisguitarrepair

Ed Sheeran “X” miniature Martin. It is start

This Warmoth creation shows you how much a creativ

This Warmoth creation shows you how much a creative customer can do, when they’re willing to think outside the box.

Warmoth Roasted Ash body with a Rosewood neck. It’s a tele platform with a functioning trem, and three pickups. I added pull pots to tap the mid and bridge coils, and give an always on bridge.

It sounds great, and gives a wide range of tones. And as is usual, Warmoth’s craftsmanship is top notch.

#Warmoth
#TeleStratoMagicCaster

How do you keep a 60’s Martin D-18 in one piece?

How do you keep a 60’s Martin D-18 in one piece?

Well, leaving it out in a couple rainstorms early in its life - while guiding folks through a national park - isn’t an auspicious beginning. That explains the amazing patina, and fragility, of the finish.

A lifetime of care since then, however, shows clearly. No side or top cracks. A couple loose braces, and the bridge needed to be reglued. Of course, a neck reset - it is a Martin. A new pickguard sharpens up the look a bit, too.

And it has been played. A refret with Jescar wire has it ready for another or many years of life. The owner really makes it sing - his fingerstyle technique coaxes the subtle nuances of tone this instrument is so capable of. It hasn’t been playable for a long time, and his smile when he heard this old friend’s voice again was a joy to see.

#MartinD18

Here’s the Epiphone again, this time with the br

Here’s the Epiphone again, this time with the bridge securely attached to the top. They sound much nicer this way.

#Epiphone
#GluingThingsToOtherThings

Epiphone kind of didn’t show up for this one. T

Epiphone kind of didn’t show up for this one. This bridge was glued to the finish. They scored the finish lightly, and then stuck the bridge on. And look at the bottom of the bridge - there are a few lines of glue, with bare rosewood in between. They didn’t even take the time to do it the wrong way.

On a 12 string. Which has as much tension as a piano soundboard being banged on by toddlers.

Tools to remove the finish include this incredibly handy scraper thing from Lee Valley, and these incredible handy Intaglio tools from @leanne.heller - who still won’t let me pronounce the “G” in that word.

Oh, and a finger plane because it makes me look like a luthier.

#EpiphoneBeullersDayOffFromActuallyStickingTheBridgeToTheInstrument
#Intaglio
#LeeValleyTools

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