Foro Flamenco


Posts Since Last Visit | Advanced Search | Home | Register | Login

Today's Posts | Inbox | Profile | Our Rules | Contact Admin | Log Out



Welcome to one of the most active flamenco sites on the Internet. Guests can read most posts but if you want to participate click here to register.

This site is dedicated to the memory of Paco de Lucía, Ron Mitchell, Guy Williams, Linda Elvira, Philip John Lee, Craig Eros, Ben Woods, David Serva and Tom Blackshear who went ahead of us.

We receive 12,200 visitors a month from 200 countries and 1.7 million page impressions a year. To advertise on this site please contact us.

Update cookies preferences




Restoration of a 100 year old parlour guitar   You are logged in as Guest
Users viewing this topic: none
  Printable Version
All Forums >>Discussions >>Lutherie >> Page: [1] 2    >   >>
Login
Message<< Newer Topic  Older Topic >>
 
Firefrets

 

Posts: 125
Joined: Mar. 22 2023
 

Restoration of a 100 year old parlou... 

I was asked to share some repair / restoration work, but recently it's been steel string guitars and vintage mandolins, and any nylon strung guitars have mostly been run of the mill stuff which you've all seen before. Rather than wait until I get something more interesting, (there's a lot of antique stuff in the queue) I'll share a job I did on a 100 year old parlour guitar ...

This is a guitar that was at death's door, far beyond economical repair.

She was in a heart breaking state, both inside and out.
During her life, she'd been repaired before, probably many times, and was terribly distorted. The internal bracing had completely failed. The soundhole had collapsed. The fretboard extension dived in to the top, and the neck angle obviously gone. The neck itself was like a banana. The frets were falling out. The bridge area of the soundboard was also caved in.

The shape of the guitar was badly distorted, as who ever had been inside before had clearly struggled with the reassembly, and so both the top, and back would have to come off, and the connection between top back, and sides improved, as currently looks ghastly. The pickguard was a sorry mess, the binding around the soundhole needed repairing, as did the body binding, and the tuners needed attention. Action was around 8mm and the paintwork is so dry, it's almost falling off... did I miss anything out? Ah yes, it's a dove tail joint, and needs a neck reset, but other than that, what's not to like?

So, why bother?

Well, sometimes you have to dive in to the deep end and do stuff for the learning curve.
Sometimes you have to test your abilities to solve problems, and sometimes taking on the most difficult jobs makes future work less intimidating. If you can fix this, you can probably fix anything logic. It doesn't always work like that, but it doesn't harm to have a go either.

Let's get started then ........
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 14 2023 12:56:05
 
Firefrets

 

Posts: 125
Joined: Mar. 22 2023
 

RE: Restoration of a 100 year old pa... (in reply to Firefrets

Here are a few pictures I'd taken a year or so ago shortly after receiving the guitar. I'd bought 2 guitars from a guy at the time, the other a pre war Martin Coletti which was also an enormous restoration. I later sold that to a Czech pop star who flew over to collect which was a nice outcome for the instrument, as it's now being used to make music again. Perhaps this is a Coletti also, but at the time of writing, I really don't know the origin of the guitar, as has no label or markings.

The forum doesn't allow me to post follow up replies, without having to wait first, which is going to take up a lot of my time, so be patient, as a lot of pictures and description will follow.











Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 14 2023 12:58:01
 
Firefrets

 

Posts: 125
Joined: Mar. 22 2023
 

RE: Restoration of a 100 year old pa... (in reply to Firefrets











Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 14 2023 13:00:19
 
Firefrets

 

Posts: 125
Joined: Mar. 22 2023
 

RE: Restoration of a 100 year old pa... (in reply to Firefrets

I needed to come up with a repair plan ...

Both the back, and top, would have to be removed, but it would need to be done at different stages, as opposed to simply dismantling the whole guitar, otherwise trying to get it back together would be a nightmare. I figured if I took the back off first, dealt with that, then try to get it back on, it will give me a more familiar starting point, and help to preserve the shape, as what lies ahead will be much more challenging, so that was my decision. I already knew what was awaiting me inside, so no reason to show pictures of a mirror inspection etc, as all will be revealed in due course.









Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 14 2023 13:01:23
 
Firefrets

 

Posts: 125
Joined: Mar. 22 2023
 

[Deleted] 

Post has been moved to the Recycle Bin at Jul. 14 2023 13:04:56
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 14 2023 13:02:53
 
Firefrets

 

Posts: 125
Joined: Mar. 22 2023
 

RE: Restoration of a 100 year old pa... (in reply to Firefrets

The back bracing wasn't too bad. You'll always have to deal with dry joints etc, and brace ends separating as you remove them from the lining, so I glued everything up, and reshaped the back braces to make the back a bit more lively, but kept the height pretty much as it was.














Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 14 2023 13:07:55
 
Firefrets

 

Posts: 125
Joined: Mar. 22 2023
 

RE: Restoration of a 100 year old pa... (in reply to Firefrets

The top bracing is a completely different story, and all will need to be replaced. I'll need to strengthen behind the bridge also, which we'll come to later.










Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 14 2023 13:10:17
 
Firefrets

 

Posts: 125
Joined: Mar. 22 2023
 

RE: Restoration of a 100 year old pa... (in reply to Firefrets

Putting the back on again wasn't easy. Ideally, in hindsight, I should have put the back on 'with' the binding, which would have helped press down the little ledge underneath the binding, but because the guitar has lost shape, I wanted to glue it back on in sections, so I can manipulate everything, and the binding would have been a pain in the ass to deal with at this stage, and being old, would likely have not survived the ordeal, so I'll come back to that later.





Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 14 2023 13:14:48
 
Firefrets

 

Posts: 125
Joined: Mar. 22 2023
 

RE: Restoration of a 100 year old pa... (in reply to Firefrets

With the back returned, (pictures not necessarily in real time) it's time to look at removing the top, and prepare for the challenge ahead. First let's remove the pick guard, and bridge etc, and pop them somewhere safe for later, and then we can begin.





I'm not sure we'll be needing the original strings that were inside the case ...



Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 14 2023 13:23:24
 
Firefrets

 

Posts: 125
Joined: Mar. 22 2023
 

RE: Restoration of a 100 year old pa... (in reply to Firefrets

I used a clothes iron to melt the glue under the fretboard extension. I'm going to buy a 'sealing iron' when I get chance, as much thinner, but the clothes iron will do for now.













Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 14 2023 13:33:34
 
Firefrets

 

Posts: 125
Joined: Mar. 22 2023
 

RE: Restoration of a 100 year old pa... (in reply to Firefrets

With the top removed, I can see somebody has already been in and done the back. Probably somebody very dodgy, with little to no skill (ahem) but it saves me a job.



Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 14 2023 13:41:49
 
Firefrets

 

Posts: 125
Joined: Mar. 22 2023
 

RE: Restoration of a 100 year old pa... (in reply to Firefrets

Let's get rid of those failed top braces, and try and make some new ones ...

First though, I need to get the soundboard flat again, as the soundhole is completely caved in, and the bridge area also, so we're going to have to figure out a way to do that ... 'don't look at me, as though you think I know what I'm doing' .... time to think outside the box ha ha.






Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 14 2023 13:51:35
 
estebanana

Posts: 9544
Joined: Oct. 16 2009
 

RE: Restoration of a 100 year old pa... (in reply to Firefrets

You go girl! lol 😂

Seriously, domo

_____________________________

https://www.stephenfaulkguitars.com
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 14 2023 13:56:02
 
Firefrets

 

Posts: 125
Joined: Mar. 22 2023
 

RE: Restoration of a 100 year old pa... (in reply to Firefrets

I know what you're thinking ..... this guy is an idiot a genius.

Seriously though, don't do this with an iron...

It won't take much to send that heat through to the other side of the board, and when you turn it over, you'll have a big mess!





After quickly rethinking, I decided to heat up 2 flat boards with a heat gun, and clamped the soundboard in a pattern maker's vice, while keeping the 2 boards hot.










The bridge area dealt with in a similar way but with a smaller, more precise block:





Not bad - the new bracing will do the rest.



Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 14 2023 14:10:54
 
Firefrets

 

Posts: 125
Joined: Mar. 22 2023
 

RE: Restoration of a 100 year old pa... (in reply to Firefrets

Incidentally, after straightening the fingerboard out, I've kept it clamped to a flat surface throughout, as there is a good chance it will warp if I don't.



Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 14 2023 14:28:57
 
Firefrets

 

Posts: 125
Joined: Mar. 22 2023
 

RE: Restoration of a 100 year old pa... (in reply to estebanana

It takes longer to document the darn thing than it did to do it. 😂
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 14 2023 14:31:24
 
Firefrets

 

Posts: 125
Joined: Mar. 22 2023
 

RE: Restoration of a 100 year old pa... (in reply to Firefrets

After receiving possibly the world's worst brace wood, I did my best to create some braces, but after a while, decided to make use of some old ready made ones I had left. I still need to learn how to make my own braces properly, but if I can make some from this crap, I can make them from anything I guess, so need to buy some decent stock.





Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 14 2023 14:46:40
 
Firefrets

 

Posts: 125
Joined: Mar. 22 2023
 

RE: Restoration of a 100 year old pa... (in reply to Firefrets

With the bracing in place, I can then start shaping them, and make the soundboard a bit more enthusiastic. Obviously pictures taken while I'm doing the job, and not finished in the pictures.

I added a floating brace behind the bridge, to strengthen the area where it had collapsed.

I didn't add too much radius deliberately, otherwise I'd have trouble getting the top to fit, and this isn't a classical guitar, but a flat top.





Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 14 2023 14:52:16
 
Firefrets

 

Posts: 125
Joined: Mar. 22 2023
 

RE: Restoration of a 100 year old pa... (in reply to Firefrets

Time to give the soundhole a bit of much needed love ...













Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 14 2023 15:01:24
 
Firefrets

 

Posts: 125
Joined: Mar. 22 2023
 

RE: Restoration of a 100 year old pa... (in reply to Firefrets

Still a bit of work to do on the inside. Some block damage injected with glue, a few dry joints around the liners etc.





I don't want the braces to look new, so I'll coat the repaired areas with some Potassium Permanganate, then sand back with some Indassa, and when done it will look original.





Still a bit of relic work to do, but you get the idea ...


Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 14 2023 15:14:17
 
Firefrets

 

Posts: 125
Joined: Mar. 22 2023
 

RE: Restoration of a 100 year old pa... (in reply to Firefrets









Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 14 2023 15:19:25
 
Firefrets

 

Posts: 125
Joined: Mar. 22 2023
 

RE: Restoration of a 100 year old pa... (in reply to Firefrets

One of the joys of doing work, after others have been there before you, is you get to see their efforts close up ...



Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 14 2023 15:28:56
 
Firefrets

 

Posts: 125
Joined: Mar. 22 2023
 

RE: Restoration of a 100 year old pa... (in reply to Firefrets

I need to sell some guitars ...
This is just one room, so could do with losing at least 40 out of my workshop, and then I can make some space to ... well, hoard more of the buggers.



Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 14 2023 15:39:16
 
Firefrets

 

Posts: 125
Joined: Mar. 22 2023
 

RE: Restoration of a 100 year old pa... (in reply to Firefrets

Before I can put the top back on, I need to try and predict where the problems will be, and try to get a feel of how to stretch, or squeeze the ribs. I've zero chance of getting this on perfectly, as it's been in a bad way for too long, but I'll deal with anything in stages, even if I have to start opening her up again near the end.







Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 14 2023 15:54:03
 
Schieper

 

Posts: 208
Joined: Mar. 29 2017
From: The Netherlands

RE: Restoration of a 100 year old pa... (in reply to Firefrets

impressive :-)
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 14 2023 16:14:12
 
silddx

Posts: 804
Joined: May 8 2012
From: London

RE: Restoration of a 100 year old pa... (in reply to Firefrets

Wow, that's a lot of work! Nice to see how it's done, thank you!
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 14 2023 16:22:50
 
Firefrets

 

Posts: 125
Joined: Mar. 22 2023
 

RE: Restoration of a 100 year old pa... (in reply to Firefrets

I didn't take too many pictures during the top replacement, as it's a very busy period, but I started with the back, just up to the mid section. Then once dry, I'll then twist and squeeze the guitar some more, with the idea that if I can get it close enough, then I can tidy the rest up with a bit of restoration.

While that was drying, I put the neck back together.
I first taped it roughly where I wanted it, and drilled 2 holes, so I can pin it together. Normally this is done in the fret area, but I will be adding some ink to the fingerboard, and the holes will be very easy to hide on this particular guitar.







Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 14 2023 16:24:10
 
Firefrets

 

Posts: 125
Joined: Mar. 22 2023
 

RE: Restoration of a 100 year old pa... (in reply to Firefrets

Earlier, I'd mentioned that the back of the guitar had to be fitted without the binding, which left me a bit of work to do on the binding channel. So, basically it's a case of trying to get a clean channel using a chisel etc. If the binding is sticking out proud, I'll widen at that point.



In this picture, you can see how delicate the paintwork is. The threaded rods of the spool clamps have left a scar. Had this been a customer's guitar, I'd have been pretty angry with myself, but I'll buy some straws, and protect for future use. This restoration is being done for the learning curve thankfully, and well, I learned something by making a mistake. I'll not make the same mistake again, and if I choose to hide the scars, it will be more learning, so all good.







Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 14 2023 16:35:40
 
Firefrets

 

Posts: 125
Joined: Mar. 22 2023
 

RE: Restoration of a 100 year old pa... (in reply to Firefrets

That's the easy stuff out of the way, but a long way to go.

Now that the body is all back together, I'll have some snagging to do around the edges, which I'll get to, but for now, I'm turning my attention to the neck reset.

Off camera, I'd removed the neck earlier.

It's not a dove tail joint in the same way you might see on a Martin guitar etc, where you have a leading edge to pull sandpaper through. This particular joint has no edge, so to reset the neck, I'm going to have to cut some material from the neck joint, and this will cause a shift, in how it grips inside the block, so I'll need to shim, and chalk fit, and basically just give it a go, as not done this kind of joint before.



The fretboard extension will need a shim underneath, which I'll do with a veneer. It will be tighter than it looks in the picture. At the moment, I'm basically clamping down, looking for chalk, and removing a bit of material as I go, in order to make a better fit.

Joints are something I need to learn more about, but as long as I take my time, I'll be ok.

I fit 2 strings during the process, as I want to make sure I'm putting it back on straight, and then I'll mark the lines with some tape, allowing me to establish boundaries.

I'm dealing with a floating adjustable bridge, on a guitar I've never played, and I need to land the angle in a good place, so more thinking time was needed, and double checking I was happy before gluing up.









Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 14 2023 16:58:18
 
davewphx

Posts: 137
Joined: Jul. 11 2011
 

RE: Restoration of a 100 year old pa... (in reply to Firefrets

Firefrets, this is a truly ambitious repair. Great photos. It almost seems like it would be less work to make a new guitar! I realize the goal is the repair knowledge gained in the process. Thanks for documenting it for us.

_____________________________

Dave
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 14 2023 18:14:54
Page:   [1] 2    >   >>
All Forums >>Discussions >>Lutherie >> Page: [1] 2    >   >>
Jump to:

New Messages No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages Locked w/o New Messages
 Post New Thread
 Reply to Message
 Post New Poll
 Submit Vote
 Delete My Own Post
 Delete My Own Thread
 Rate Posts


Forum Software powered by ASP Playground Advanced Edition 2.0.5
Copyright © 2000 - 2003 ASPPlayground.NET

0.078125 secs.