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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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Private member
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…
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

Splines: When are they necessary?

Question about splines: At what point are they necessary? My question is primarily regarding the crack to the left between the bridge and the sound hole as well as the crack at the upper bout that runs along the fingerboard extension. I have already glued them both and used the TJ cleats that run the full length of the cracks. I have already splined the lower bout crack that runs from the bridge to the binding as it was super gappy and d…

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Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

Yamaha FG410A with very fragile fretboard

Hello everyone, I hope you're doing good. I'm very much a new guitar repair enthusiast, any advice or feedback would really appreciated. I'm working on this Yamaha FG410A, as you can see, it's in rough shape. The guitar lived in a case in a storage container since the 90s. The guitar was really dry when I got it, so I started my slowly introducing moisture. I removed the frets and then put the guitar in a bag, with a hygrometer…

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I think your approach makes sense. You will learn much from this project. I am sure you will discover creative ways to fix problems. I have used the saw dust CA glue method to fix divots in the fin…
Private member DiscussionElectric Repair

Neck Spline jig recommendations

Hey all - I've got a couple Gibson headstock repair investments that I'd like to practice inserting splines for reinforcement (or I may go the backstrap method..tbd). Do you have any jig recommendations or preferences? I've only seen the G&W option (which looks awesome), several ebay knock-offs and lots of DIY jigs. I welcome your feedback. Thanks and all the best, Chris

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Ian Davlin
I think this is my favorite. It's not my favorite technique overall, but this version, with the long splines that extend WAY past the transition of the neck is the best. https://mcconvilleguitars.blo…
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

Need advice on my first repair job

I would really appreciate some advice on this repair that I need to do. I've built a number of (classical) guitars so far, but this is my first repair job. I have already set the expectations with the customer that I can probably fix it structurally but the repair will be visible. The guitar is modestly priced and of no historical significance so it seems like an ideal project to take on as a first one. The guitar suffered a blow on the…

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Private member
It makes me realize how spoiled we are here in America. I shouldn't complain as to the time it takes to get stuff and that I can get it at all.
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

Maton CW80 (1970) neck reset?

Hi all, A customer brought in a 1970 Maton CW80 12 string...it needs a neck reset. Has anyone done this successfully (or alternatively have a sad story about how it's impossible)? I found one article detailing a workaround and showing a very odd neck architecture (https://harmensmusicblog.blogspot.com/2019/05/maton-cw-806-1977-dreadnaught.html) - doesn't sound/look promising....Any feedback welcome :) cheers, Steve.

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You should jump on the Loothalong during the week after 7pm Central sometime. I'm usually here with Josh Rippingale from Australia. He's reset hundreds of Maton's almost on a weekly basis. I see him w…
Private member DiscussionElectric Repair

Fender P Bass-Plus -- Switch short?

Friends - I have an unexpected problem with my 1989 P Bass-Plus. I suspect that the Series-Parallel switch is grounding out (ie, short circuiting) when the 3-position pickup selector is in the P pickup position (disengaging the J pickup and all 3 pickups). I am waiting for feedback from Fender as to whether there is both a wiring diagram for this bass and the possibility of getting a direct replacement switch. Has anyone worked on these…

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Private member
Thank you for the update. I had completely overlooked the selector switch. Sorry to run you down the wrong rabbit hole, but at least you got practice troubleshooting and a nice switch for a future pr…
Private member DiscussionTools and Jigs

The first tool to measure longitudinal neck torsion/twist - the LTwist® gauge

Dear looth community/colleagues around the world, During 2023/24 I have developed a digital gauge to measure so-called longitudinal twist of (bass) guitar necks: the LTwist® gauge. Just to be clear, this is about the "cork screw" type of deviation along the length of a neck, not the bow of a neck. I think there is no need to explain how a too severe neck twist can make it difficult or even impossible to set up a stringed instrument (guita…

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Private member DiscussionFinish Repair

Plastic polish on french polish finish

I have been working through Robbie O'Brien's french polish course and he recommends using a plastic polish. The product he used wasn't available at my hardware store so I purchased this product https://www.meguiars.ca/3M/en_CA/p/d/v000190445/ and just want to make sure that this will not damage my finish. I'd appreciate some feedback for a rookie finisher.

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Ian Davlin
That's probably pretty good. Meguire's #9 would probably also work. For those looking for these products, Harbor Freight, at least in my hood, has a nearly complete set of the polishing products. #7 i…
Private member DiscussionElectric Repair

Variation on the Gilmour neck PU always on Strat Mod (series linked)

Hi there! I am trying to find an schematic to make a circuit I'd like to try. That would be the Gilmour neck PU always on Strat Mod but in a way that connects that extra pickup in series with the rest instead of paralel like in the original gilmour circuit. The thing is I don't even know if it possible to do it that way or how many switches woud you need to do it in the simplest possible way. If you have any feedback, clues, tips or whate…

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I should mention for completeness that it is possible to rewire the internals of the pickups in order to add a separate wire to act as the pickup's ground/shield. It tends to be a pretty fiddly job th…
Private member DiscussionFinish Repair

Blending in a neck break repair.

I'm looking for advice and feedback on this touch up. It's my second one of these carbon fiber fabric repairs, my first turned out much better. I used the powdered pigments to match the color of the original wood, which was exposed along the margins of my repair, then I used glass slides to match the color of the lacquer. I then used The Mohawk brush tip marker, which I don't think I'll use again because I couldn't get straight lines.…

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So, This doesn't strike you as a color coat airbrush technique issue? I have watched your video airbrushes.
Private member Discussion3D Printing

F Hole Plugs for Archtop

I drew up and printed these F hole plugs for a customer a little while back, felt like showing them off here. The bottom diamond shaped piece has a M4 nut in it, and is super glued to the body of the plug at its two tips. An M4 screw threads into the nut through the counter-sunk hole in the top of the plug. The entire plug drops into the F hole, and then you can tighten the screw slightly to expand the plug so it clamps itself into plac…

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Private member
Great idea, and I love the idea of comically oversized F holes.
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

Wow, what a hole!

Long story short, Mom's sitting next to her guitar and POW, the bridge pops off taking part of the top with it. Now I'm trying to figure out how to fix it and I would like your feedback on my plan below. The hole is roughly the same size as the bridge. The top is a 3-layer laminate. The bridge, top, and bridge plate all came out as a single unit. The glue on the braces behind the bridge has failed, so the top will need to be re-glued…

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Ian Davlin
Man, I would seriously consider retoping this. Im not sure I've seen anything quite that bonkers.