Stay in tune :: 2014 Gretsch G5420T [7.1 lbs]

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Here's a guitar that I test played for a long time once I got the tuning issues sorted out.  It was a lot of fun and sounded great.  Like many Bigbsy Gretschs, tuning issues can drive you nuts (and this one was tricky for me).  The headstock has a wide splay so the strings break fairly hard outward at the nut.  Many tuning issues can be sorted out by properly cutting the synthetic nut, or better yet swap it out for nice hard bone.  The trick is to minimize any friction points so the strings return to pitch.

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Soundhole repairs & new strings :: Blueridge BR-OM [4.4 lbs]

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This dreadnought was in for a setup and a punched-in soundhole repair last month.

Bass side top crack :: 1997 Santa Cruz 000

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The treble side top crack running from the high e to the tail was repaired.  Now it's time for the bass side crack running from the A string bridge pin hole to the tail.  This crack was repaired before by another repair person, then repaired by myself using the standard cleating method (small rectangular cleats).  Since this guitar is exposed to less-than-ideal conditions, I'm removing the old cleats and re-repairing this crack with TJ Thompson's full cleat method.

Broken neck :: 1996 Gibson Les Paul Studio [8.5 lbs]

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Here's the end result of the most recent Les Paul neck break repair.  It closed up really well and didn't require any sanding of the finish to make it smooth to the touch.  I'm usually reluctant to post the final photos when the customer doesn't have the budget for the finish repairs.  But this could be fairly easily touched up if he ever decides to do so in the future.

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Humidity top cracks :: 1997 Santa Cruz 000

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A late 90's 000 from my alma mater, Santa Cruz Guitar Company.  I've always loved their 000's and wish I would have built one when I was working there.  This one has been in the shop before needing a neck reset and top crack repair.  Now it's in for a new nut and some more structural TLC.  I already addressed a few loose back braces.  Here I'm repairing one of two top cracks running from the bridge to the tail using TJ Thompson's cleating method.  Stay tuned for the other top crack repair.

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Crack repair from the daily videos.