Carvin Cobalt 750S [5.1 lbs] :: side preamp convert Fishman to Baggs Stagepro Anthem

View fullsize

Carvin Cobalt 750S [5.1 lbs] :: side preamp convert Fishman to Baggs Stagepro Anthem

This player wanted to swap out a Fishman Prefix Plus-T to an LR Baggs Stagepro Anthem.  The Fishman side-mounted preamp is considerably larger than the Baggs Stagepro preamp so a step-down conversion ring was fabricated.  The adapter was made from black / white / black pickguard stock for flexibility and durability and the edges were beveled for a nice clean look.  I used the original mounting holes in the side so the old Fishman preamp can be cleanly reinstalled if desired in the future (no extra holes).  The Baggs Anthem system combines an undersaddle pickup with an internal microphone (mounts to the bridge plate) and both sources can be mixed via the preamp.

1962 Guild M-20 [3.7 lbs] :: bridge reglue & top touch up

View fullsize

1962 Guild M-20 [3.7 lbs] :: bridge re-glue & top touch up

The combination of the Fishman magnetic sound hole pickup and drop DGDGBD, this guitar sounds incredible.  This player needed the bridge re-glue turned around quickly as he will be playing at a friend's wedding.

*Note the airplane in the photo.  My shop is south facing and right under Boston's Logan Airport flight path.  Sometimes when the sun is in the right position planes will eclipse the sun and almost blackout the shop.

Coincidentally the owner is stopping by tomorrow before he picks someone up at the airport.

2005 Martin DC-16RGTE :: resecure pickup elements and set up

2005 Martin DC-16RGTE :: resecure pickup elements and set up.

The output jack was falling out of the guitar as the nut inside had worked it’s way loose.  It was tightened and the cabling was resecured to the side so as to not rattle around inside the guitar.

The frets are severely worn, yet the guitar plays fairly clean with low action.  The guitar suffers from numerous low-humidity cracks along both the top and back seams.  The top seam running from the bridge to the tail block is completely open to the extent that a Post-It can be easily inserted.  I recommended that this top crack be be a priority and repaired as soon as the player’s budget will allow as it will eventually cause other complications.

Gitane DG-455 thinline acoustic-electric :: set up, fingerboard crack and fingerboard extension crack in the top along the bass side

Gitane DG-455 thinline acoustic-electric :: set up, fingerboard crack and fingerboard extension crack in the top along the bass side.

This has a Fishman Aura pickup built into the bridge, so raising the action involved disconnecting the pickup lead from the side mounted preamp.  Then Indian rosewood shims were glued and trimmed to the bridge foot, dyed black and fit to the top.  The pickup was reconnected after the action was set.  Putty was used to originally affix the bridge wings, so they were removed, better fit to the top and attached with pickguard adhesive.  I have worked on gypsy jazz guitars before, but the bridge-integrated pickup certainly complicates minor action adjustments.  Super fun guitar to play though!