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Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

tuners for 70s Martin D12-20 12-string

I've got a 70s Martin D12-20 12-string on my bench (slotted headstock), it needs new tuners - the original tuners have several bent worms. The only 6-on-a-plate tuners I can find are the Golden Age from StewMac. The spacing looks right, but the Golden Age posts are about 1/8-inch shorter according to the specs on StewMac, 1-inch vs the 1 1/8-inch on the originals. Will that be a problem?

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Private member
I didn't see the replies... never got an email alert like I thought I would. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Thanks for your input everyone. I ordered the StewMac GoldenAge tuners. They fit perfectly, even the mounting scre…
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

Loose Truss Rod Nut

Hi Folks, I'm new here so I appreciate any input upfront! I had this guitar come through the shop and I've run up against something for the first time. The neck needs a little relief but when I went to adjust the truss rod the screw was already completely loose thus I couldn't perform that action. I tightened it just enough to get the truss rod nut to connect to the truss rod without making an actual adjustment to the neck in the wrong dire…

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Ian Davlin
Sometimes the truss rod can hang up the adjustment if there is surplus glue etc in the channel. Sometimes you can free up the relief just by flexing the neck. I usually grab it by the headstock and pu…
Private member DiscussionNeck Reset Database

1980 Daion 12-string

Model is "The '80". Daion built some nice guitars in the 70's and 80's out of a small shop in Japan. Nice old all mahogany 12 string. It's my instrument so doing a bolt on conversion. Forget about trying to get the neck off one of these (apart from Kung Fu) - neck construction seems to be based on multiple dowels (a bit like some Japanese furniture I suppose)

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Private member DiscussionSELL! SELL! SELL!

Nut files and fretting tools

Doing some workshop organization and found some tools I don't use. All are in excellent shape with very minimal use. Each item linked to the relevant product page: Japanese nut files. Mine have a bit of surface rust but they were used for maybe 2 guitars. $80 new, selling for $40 StewMac Gauged Nut Slotting File Set for Electric Guitar (for medium strings) and one of each nut file backer. Used on one guitar. $113 new for the files and $19…

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Everything is sold except the fret cutting saw blade!
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

Suggestions for my crack problem?

Hello everybody, I have a 2001 Guild 12-string in my shop that I suspect got a little too hot in a car. The extent of the damage is what you see here, the two cracks in the top and some warped binding where it meets the neck. I don't see any loose or damaged bracing. After looking into it a little, I found Frank Ford's approach: http://www.frets.com/FretsPages/Luthier/Technique/Guitar/Structural/Cracks/D45FBTopCrack/d45fbtopcrack.html b…

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Ian Davlin
Are you talking about for the underside, like a cleat etc ?
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

Mexican made martin neck removal

I’m struggling with removing a neck from an 12 string x series martin. I’ve tried using a heat probe on the 15th fret in multiple places and steam as well. It’s a bit loose, but still not going out. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,

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Private member
Holes need to be drilled 1/2" outside center line. Buy Pat DiBurro's book and you'll never look back, everthing you need to know. Some of the super cheap Mexican Martin's wer glued up with super glue…
Private member DiscussionDesign and Testing

String Tension calculator spreadsheet

Hi everyone, in the loothalong I shared this spreadsheet I put together a few years ago, based on D'ADDARIO phosphor bronze strings data, and Elixirs' as well. There are a few different tables for standard 6 strings, fanfrets, harp guitars, baritone and 12 strings. You choose the relevant table, input the scale length, string gauges and tuning, the spreadsheet will give you individual string and total tension in lb and kg. For the fanfret…

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Great Max, thank you! Giuliano
Private member DiscussionFinish Repair

Cloudy Poly Remedy?

I have a Carvin 12-String "acoustic" electric with what I think is a poly finish. Over time, the back side has gotten a bit cloudy where the body makes contact with the player. Doing my initial research, it seemed like buffing compound would have done the trick to bring back the shine. I've tried 3 different compounds (StewMac ColorTone Med, Mother's California Gold and No. 7) and nothing has done the trick. What am I missing? Do I need…

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Ian Davlin
Could be, my experience with poly is so limited though. I'll keep asking around on this one. Im kinda interested.
Private member DiscussionNeck Reset Database

Takamine Neck Reset

I’ve come across several Takamine lawsuit guitars needing neck resets. These lawsuit guitars are from the 1980’s and are basically a copy of a Martin. Pictured below is a 12-string Takamine that came in for a neck reset. After several hours using heat rods at the 15th fret all of the the wooden dowels would not release. My solution was to take a putty knife with a sharpened edge and using a hammer slice the dowels at the joint. As you c…

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I don't have possession of the guitar anymore, but I believe it was an F385.