Official Luthiers Forum!

I used to hang out here quite a lot a number of years ago, while I was building a scaled down steel string guitar for my the 4 yr old son. My intention was to follow that up with a full sized guitar for myself. Another child, too much work, and a move have put that off, but hopefully for not too much longer.

Anyway, I just got a call from my mother who owns a classical guitar that was refurbished by a luthier in Southern California, by the name of Jose Oribe. This guitar was not built by him, but again, refurbished by him. My Grandparents were good friends of Oribe, and he traded some work with them, and my Grandparents gave this guitar to my mother as a gift. This was some 45 years ago. The day before yesterday, it was partially rolled over by a car. Damage was done:



First question: Is this repairable? The neck/fingerboard seem to be ok. The damage seems to be isolated to the headstock. If this is repairable, can anybody recommend a luthier capable of the repair. My parents live on the Central Coast of California, so the closer the better.

My father contacted Oribe, but he wrote back that he was retired. This guitar has a very high sentimental value, so any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Colin Rogers

Ouch !! Welcome back and my condolences on the damage . Im not sure who to recommend on that one . I believe its above my paygrade .

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From a glance it looks reparable to me. Would need faceplate and back plate to reinforce. I think there is hope being a classical. Steel string probably not.


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Gryphon Strings in Palo Alto, CA would be my choice.

Pat

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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

It can be done. Here is one I did a while ago.













Anything (almost) can be fixed. Mostly I'm just bragging.

Michael

If Sacramento is convenient to you, I'd recommend Arnie Gamble:

http://arniegamble.com/

But Gryphon is also good.

YIKES! What a horrible accident! I'm sure it can be fixed, though--even if it ends up requiring a head graft. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the fractures could be realigned and reglued, then a new side grafted along the bass string slot, and finally new face and back plates to reinforce. Best of luck with it and please come back with follow-up photos when it's repaired.

Thanks to everyone for their responses. My Mother was heartbroken over the thought that her guitar was lost, but you've given her hope. My parents are now looking into luthiers local to them.

Thanks again. I will be sure to post some "after" pictures when all is said and done.

Colin