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So a friend if mine has asked me to do some repair work on this little beauty that her grand-mother brought over from Russian 100 years ago. It's in remarkably good shape. She would love to restore it to playable condition. It projects quite strongly and I have found no evidence of loose or rattling braces. I think it has some real potential to be a nice player if fixed up.

If anyone can provide some background info on this guitar, it's maker, it's era I would be truly grateful. Any sense of monetary value?

Here is my plan...pending my friends approval.
-neck reset. Has a bolt-on neck and it came off easily in under 2 minutes. That was a welcome surprise.
-refret and then level fretboard as the neck has a small twist and the current frets are too low and worn to do anything with.
-patch soundboard with spruce diamonds
-attach a thin bridge plate as there is currently none and the inside is getting chewed up...probably from the high tension steel string it had on it. ANY SUGGESTIONS HERE? It needs to go back to ball end classical strings.
-replace bridge pins. It currently has three different types of pins in various states of disrepair.
-one bridge wing needs to be glued down.
-tuners seem to be in pretty good condition.

I'd welcome any input from those of you more knowledgable than I. Yes, I will be using HHG

_________________
Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

Another pic

_________________
Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

The builder was Julius Heinrich Zimmermann: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zimmermann_(publisher) . I believe they made all kinds of instruments including some harp guitars.

Apparently the Leipzig branch was opened in 1886... the label mentions Riga as well, where a branch was opened in 1905, so it might have been made after that? I am no expert but I do love these little European-style romantic guitars...

Beautiful Project ! Yes I think Ball end Classical would be a Must in restoring this . Wish I had it . Looking forward to following this Project

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No input on the restoration, Doug, but I too am looking forward to your approach and execution on this little beauty! Old instruments like this need to be restored or maintained, if only to show us why they have lived such a long life, and that builders from the past knew a thing or two that we can learn from.

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

So here is an update but work continues
-cleaned the crud out go the inside with rice
-removed frets, flattened the twisted and cupped fingerboard
-dyed fingerboard (will distress to match aged patina later), new frets using HHG
-affixed 2mm maple bridge patch - 2 grams
-affixing up to 10 spruce diamonds to stabilize cracked top...HHG for everything

_________________
Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

More pics with before and after "rice cleaning."

_________________
Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

Looking good so far! Neat little project.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

So we are all finished now. Here's a video of my friend Blair giving it a test run. Enjoy some sounds from the 19th Century!

[youtube]http://youtu.be/voV7JqmVckY[/youtube]
http://youtu.be/voV7JqmVckY

_________________
Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

Well done, Doug!
Now you have to think of a good home for it!
Somewhere it'll be looked after but still used.