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I have a guitar which I like very much, but there is a nasty hole through the end block where an end pin jack was installed by previous owner. My questions are; is it possible to repair with good result and how much should I expect it to cost? The finish is a modern high gloss one...not shellac nor nitro.
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It could be fixed well if you wouldn't mind a wider end graft--the decorative strips on the end--wide enough to cover the hole (plugged or not) and the chipout. Regardless of what the original finish is, the repair could probably be finished with shellac in a way that would not be noticeable. Such a procedure in my shop would probably cost about two or three hundred dollars.
So you would make a whole new end graft? Is that really necessary you Think?
You're welcome, F. I don't think there's any other way to do a really nice job. Any attempt to inlay wood with breaks in the grain lines will look pretty rough.
Is that your picture or Somerset Maugham?
Oh, now I see what you mean. Yes, that would be possible too. It would be a lot simpler to do. Cheaper, too. I charge $50/hour for repairs ($75 if you watch; $100 if you help) and that might only cost $50. Though, of course the circle would contrast with the purfling in the end graft, and the direction of the rosewood grain would be wrong for the end graft or the sides or both.
Thank you all luthiers for sharing. Now I just have to figure out which way to go. The guitar might not be Worth more than maybe $6-700. But I Think it's good enough to earn a repair anyway actually.
Will take it to my "local" luthier sometime. Unfortunately both you, Ethan and Stephen, are too far away from me, otherwise I Think you pricing seemed very fair.
Also, I like your idea, Ethan, of letting the customer be your helper in the shop for a charge, I would definitely be interested in that!
if the local luthier project turns out to be expensive or not do-able or you want to spend the money on a new saddle, strings, tuners, you could get a rosewood dowl rod of a slightly larger diameter, sand it down and then tap it in with glue. once dry cut off the piece sticking out (you will need to have the dowl longer than the fill space to be able to work with the piece. if you do the fitting well you should be able to make the plug flush before tapping it in and avoid having to cut the rod with it glued in. one option is to cut the dowl rod almost all the way through before tapping it in thereby leaving you only a few draws on the saw. be sure to tape up the area around the plug before sawing. you can then polyurethane the plug.
you can get a rosewood dowl rod at rockler or a similar place.
You could also inlay small square of rosewood with a matching purflng border around it. $150-180.00 shellac blend finish.
Filling up the endblock and then make it flush with inlay work is probably the most desirable option. Provided I can find a luthier with the required skills AND willing to take on the job! I will try.
I would usually decide on how much money I want to spend then see what I can get done for that! There are usually lots of options with differing price tags. Most people I find go with their pockets. Even so I have been given guitars to repair and refinish that I would probably not hesitate to throw on the fire!
Ethan, of letting the customer be your helper in the shop for a charge, I would definitely be interested in that!
I'm laughing because it never occurred to me that anyone would take me up on that--it was a joke. I saw a sign like that in a mechanic's shop. However, now that you mention it, it does seem like a reasonable way to provide a learning experience.
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