A player that I know had a very damaged Hippner 8 string guitar. He had had two accidents with it and had destroyed the lower bout of the top. He thought it a total loss so I asked him to bring it over.
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While I was waiting for some epoxy to cure I started to pull apart the Hippner. All and all it looks very nicely made and is in good condition other than the top. The top is a total loss but I can put it back together with a new top. I could actually keep the old bindings\purflings because the linings that support the top are wide enough. I am considering pulling them because I will use a thicker top and I am not sure I want to reduce the linings outside of the purflings\binding the extra millimeter I would need to drop the new top in. I have matching koa bindings that I can use as a replacement.
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The insides looks good. I got the fret board off cleanly so I will be able to reuse it. There were some cracks in the sides that were repaired, with the top off I can clean up those repairs and make them more permanent.
The WRC top was amazingly thin at 1.1 mm. It had a spruce lattice bracing. It probably sounded great but it was a little fragile as a gig guitar. I am considering using classical falcate bracing pattern on the re-top. I fell pretty comfortable that I can put it back together.
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