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When I mentioned that I apprentice for David Collins in Ann Arbor I was also asked to show some progress pics of one of the restorations that I work on in my spare time...

Here is a shot of this 30's era archtop after the frets, some that were worn to the tang.... were pulled (carefully....).



Note the very pretty BRW board!!!

And here is a shot of the thing after leveling the board, installing EVO fret wire (original frets had a slight brass cast to them), leveling, doing the ends, recrowning, and polishing:



Since this is a restoration the goal is not to mess with the finish or the patina on most of the parts to this guitar. Instead we just wanna make it play like new or better and simply provide functionality in all respects. As such some of the deeper divots on the board are left in place as character etc.

To me there is something absolutely satisfying about this kind of work that is different, not better but different than the feelings that I receive from building new guitars. It's almost as if it's an honor to spend some time with these great instruments of the past and I feel privileged to do so. It's difficult to explain but it's a great feeling. I suspect that others who do this kind of work can relate to what I am trying and failing to say here?

Thanks for looking.

Nice work I love the look of that Finger Board .

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even your repair jobs have black tops

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Restoring old guitars is very rewarding. You give new life to something that might end up in the trash. Often these guitars carry great sentimental value to the owners. I have done several for people who inherited the guitar from a now deceased relative. The smile on the clients face when they see the restored guitar is special.

What brand of guitar is that?

That's what I am talking about Barry - thanks!

This one is a May Bell which like many guitars in this period could have been a private label that another manufacturer made under contract. Perhaps Gibson or Kay - not sure. I have another one to do that is just like this one and it has yet another brand name on it but it's identical.....

Looks like a pretty nice guitar. Sure beats what I am working on right now. I've got a Harmony archtop in for repair with the painted on binding, and faux curly maple, and even faux spruce grain on the top. But it is solid wood and has a very funky vibe.

Thanks for that Filippo and that makes perfect sense. We have two of these guitars which are nearly identical in every way including condition.... One says May-Bell and the other says Slingerland.

Hey Hesh
What's your process for levelling the frets.
It's an area that I can't seem to get right.Could you please do a little toutorial?

Just wondering did you use solder iron to heat the frets prior to pulling?

Hesh -

I think you expressed it very well. I know exactly the feeling you're describing. You should be proud and honored to have a job which provides such a sense of gratification. Enjoy!

Peter - sure, the next time I have an opportunity to do a fret job I will try to remember to take some pics and write up a toot.

Mike - sure as well, frets are heated and the old style nippers are used with more dramatic angles on the jaws than the new nippers so they wedge the frets upward. The operation is repeated sliding down the fret, heating, carefully lifting using the angled jaws and NOT pulling upward. Once the entire fret is lifted and the tang is visible they usually will lift right out with no tools. Great care is taken, always, to not chip the board and any chips that are loosened are pressed back in place and glued down with thin CA.

Now maybe I don't have to do the toot....

Thanks Corky it's pretty clear that you get-it too!

Thanks Hesh
I'll look forward to it.
Very much appreciated

Hey Hesh, I didn't realize you were a full service shop!

Ken

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Good work on the old guit! I like trying to fix the old one's also, though my uncle claimed nothing was broken!

It really does take a lot of patience to remove frets without chipping the board. There is a lot of satifaction in seeing and hearing these old guitars going back into service.

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Jim Howell
Charlotte, NC