The Hub

Hi, I should do a neck reset on a Guild 512B from probably 1973. I have done neck resets before, but this is the first on a guitar that has some value. I want to look out for information about this specific model before i start working. Has anyone done a neck reset on a simular model? What kind of neck joint did they use, and what are the dimensions? Is there anything specific to look out for? I will probably not start working on the guitar…

So, I made a modular clamp based on the split clamp idea. Started on a prototype about two months ago and finished it. What I was aiming for was a clamp that I could use on the BOTTOM of acoustic guitars as well as tops to clamp cracks, cleats, braces, patches etc. Especially a clamp that would access small openings like "F" holes, small sound holes etc. Essentially a way to get a clamp to areas not accessible to jacks, wedges etc.,…

My son in law texted me the following pic of a Gibson he once played and would like to find one for sale. I have searched the web to no avail, so I thought the collective here would have someone that recognizes the model. I was told it was an sj200 but I can’t find any sj200s that look like this instrument. Thanks in advance, Tom

Technically this is a repair, but I thought there would be some crossover with building, so I posted here as well. A 1950s Gretsch Town & Country Rancher 6021 is missing the two braces on either side of the sound hole (see photo). Because this is such a wide instrument (17” lower bout), I’m thinking that installing those missing braces will help with the stability of the top in addition to repairing the cracked/loose ladder braces. The…

A customer recently brought in a 1950s Gretsch Town & Country Rancher 6021. In addition to two main ladder braces being loose/cracked, it’s missing the two braces on either side of the sound hole (see photo). Because this is such a wide instrument (17” lower bout), I’m thinking that installing those missing braces will help with the stability of the top, which is pretty sunken right now. Does anyone have any photos or measurements of or…

@member @member Starting the discussion here to get the planning underway. I am presenting at Cremona next year, so I thought I would use the opportunity to do a dry run during this event. Topics - 1. Modeling and 3d Printing Simplified for Guitar Repair Barbarians. 2. Touching up Martin Mahogany. 3. Color and Material Theory Simplified for Guitar Repair Barbarians.

This is a Kamouraska classical guitar, model 111, made in Canada in 1979. Internet information says it was made in La Patrie, Quebec, and later the line became La Patrie guitars. It looks like someone has been into this one before as the dovetail fit was poor, the gluing is very sloppy, and there are some rough chisel marks on the face of the heel. Note that if you drilled holes at the 13th fret you would miss the pocket by a few mm. Th…

I watched the Guild F-20 video (https://dev2.loothgroup.com/groups/repair-and-restoration/forum/topic/cracker-x-braces-on-guild-f20/#post-60310) with great interest since I've been working on a Gibson L-3 with a similar problem. A little back story - The original repair request was to address a small pickguard crack on the sound hole side. After peeking inside, I saw 5 loose brace ends on the treble side. Still a pretty standard repair…

I need to replace the bridge on a Martin that previously suffered a bridge replacement with a big, unsanded, pre-made pyramid bridge. The 1960s 0-16NY models had a straight bridge rather than a pyramid. If anyone has access to one of these, could you please give me the dimensions of the original bridge?

Is it a common problem for the fretboard on an acoustic to develop a hump around Fret #12 and higher, where the neck meets the body? If so, what is the cause, and is there something that can be done, or avoided, during the initial build process? I have two quality Zager brand guitars that both have the problem, with the problem being worse on the cheaper model. I am a newbie to fret dressing and lowering, so I first tried adjusting the…

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…