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Hello, I have a question for a luthier. I have an old Santos Hernandez---not the original kind, this was built for the Santos shop that was run by his widow after he died, sometime in the 1950s. It is a decent blanca.
But it needs a fret job and the purfling on one side is coming loose.
Question:
1) Is it possible to replace the entire fretboard with a nice Ebony one and put new frets in on this old guitar?
2) Can purflings really be replaced or reinserted/applied? Or maybe completely redone?
3) If this were done, do you have any idea how much it might cost?
4) If it's better to request a professional estimate from a luthier, could you recommend a luthier who does this type of work?
If any of the luthiers here have a chance to reply, I'd appreciate it. I don't know if I'm going to do it, I'm just trying to get an estimate and an idea on whether it's worth the cost.
RE: Question: changing fret board an... (in reply to Michael1917)
quote:
ORIGINAL: Michael1917
1) Is it possible to replace the entire fretboard with a nice Ebony one and put new frets in on this old guitar?
2) Can purflings really be replaced or reinserted/applied? Or maybe completely redone?
3) If this were done, do you have any idea how much it might cost?
4) If it's better to request a professional estimate from a luthier, could you recommend a luthier who does this type of work?
The answer to questions 1, 2 & 4 is yes. Cost will vary depending on who does the work but it won't be cheap. This is not complicated work and any competent luthier could do the job for you. I wouldn't recommend attempting to replace the fingerboard yourself unless you have a good shop and woodworking experience.
RE: Question: changing fret board an... (in reply to Michael1917)
Basically, everything on a guitar can be changed or repaired. Its more a matter of money than anythiing else and it might end up being pretty expensive. Its difficult to say much without the guitar in the hands and impossible with at least some photos.
1) shouldnt be a problem 2) impossible to say without at least a photo. Could be complicated and cost money 4) Some luthiers are better to repair than others. Here in Spain, we dont repair much, because people dont want to pay the price. A car mechanic charges 30,-€ an hour, which they find to be ok, but when I say that I charge 20,-€ an hour, they find it to be way to much.....
RE: Question: changing fret board an... (in reply to Anders Eliasson)
Thanks, Anders. Yes, around here, in Virginia, USA, I'm being told it could cost between $600 and $1000. In Spain, I suspect things are very tough for people, as I read that the unemployment rate there is 25 percent, which seems unimaginable. I hope your guitar work stays steady. All the best for the New Year.
RE: Question: changing fret board an... (in reply to Anders Eliasson)
65%! That's horrible, insane. I don't know how people can survive like that for long without some type of job. I assume they leave Spain. ... and I thought things were bad here.
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