Classical neck reset :: Late '60s Guild Mark III

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Classical neck reset :: Late '60s Guild Mark III

Here I'm steaming apart a Guild classical to reset the neck for more pitch over the bridge.  Normally you don't easily reset a traditionally built classical guitar as the neck and the neckblock are one continuous piece.  Luckily this Guild neck joint has a steel-string style dovetail that comes apart quite easily once you score the finish around the joint.  Note that Guilds have the finish applied after the neck is joined to the body so you need to cut through the finish in order to cleanly separate the two.  Touching up the finish is usually required.

The bridge needed to be removed as seen here.

Dried out top crack & bridge re-glue :: 1993 Martin 000-16 [4.1 lbs]

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Dried out top crack & bridge re-glue :: 1993 Martin 000-16 [4.1 lbs]

Low humidity caused a top crack that ran from the low E bridge pin to the tail.  The bridge was also beginning to lift, so it was removed and the top crack repaired.  Finally the bridge was refit and glued with hide glue.

Broken headstock glue-up :: 1992 Gibson Les Paul

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Broken headstock glue-up :: 1992 Gibson Les Paul

Another Gibson headstock repair in progress.  The break was clamped up with hot hide glue.  You can see the initial break here.

I poured kitty litter into your guitar :: 1967 Guild Starfire IV

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I poured kitty litter into your guitar :: 1967 Guild Starfire IV

The owner of this guitar brought it by for a refret and commented that he thought the guitar smelled a little foul.  I didn't think it was too bad, but offered to try a little kitty litter to see if it would help pull a little of the odor out of the wood.  So in goes the kitty litter into both f-holes for a few days - we'll see if it makes any improvement.  I have used kitty litter in the past on a really foul case and it seemed to take away some of the 'stank.  The fun part is vacuuming it all back out ...

Another Gibson headstock break :: 1992 Gibson Les Paul

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Another Gibson headstock break :: 1992 Gibson Les Paul

Yet another Gibson in the shop for a broken headstock repair.  Here we go again: strip the tuners, clean / align the joint, dry run test clamp, glue & clamp ...

Some tips to help prevent head breaks:

1. Use a properly fitted hard shell case for storage and transport (extra strategic padding for shipping too)
2. Use a solid stand or wall hanger when not playing - no leaning it against an amp, chair, etc
3. Unplug the cord when you set the guitar down
4. Install strap locks to prevent accidental releases