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Looking good the old girl is really coming around

Making progress. It was pretty easy to build up finish over the repaired areas using the thick lacquer.


Razor blade to level but this time it went to wood. Splint stuck up too high.


Did the lacquer - level - lacquer several times until I got it right. Once I was able to level it and not scrape through the lacquer then I wet sanded with 1000 followed by Novus#2. Came out pretty good except for my poor attempt to color match. The color match looked good until I put lacquer over it. Oh well, another lesson and another do-over but not until I get back from Ann Arbor.


On the other hand the 3" crack on the treble side came out better. About 1" to the left of the center line at the edge of the light reflection.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

The neck fit is fine after a bit of touch-up.


There were some fairly large chips on the heel and body caused by removing the neck. I don't think I realized that I needed to scribe deeper then I did. Several other lessons learned:
- Put some shellac on the bare chipped-out spots as they turned darker when I put lacquer on them.
- Fix any chipped areas on the neck joint before gluing the neck back on.


There was some damage to edge of the top from hitting something many years ago so I think I have it stabilized but it needs more work.


Of course I still have a few areas to fix but they can wait. A spot on the neck where the finish came off because I left the strap on the guitar in the case.


And some burn marks on the top (don't ask, I ain't tellin but it was a LONG time ago). Not sure if it wouldn't be better to leave them alone but it would be nice if they didn't show up from 10 feet away.


So this one is ready for the fretting and setup class. I'm looking forward to it!

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Just a fret job away!

A trick that might help in the future is using something to level the splint down just below the original finish.
I sometimes use a scraper, like the left side of the one in the photo. I go as low as I dare before hitting original color on each side of the splint. It leaves a shallow swale in which to do touch up and clear coat and end up level w/ the old finish.

Thanks David. That's pretty much what I did with a bent razor blade. A utility knife blade-perfect! I've got a bunch laying around, can't believe I didn't think of making small scrapers out of them. That would have made it easy the first time. I'll use this trick when I redo it to correct the color.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

We've been back from the refret/setup class at Ann Arbor Guitars for several weeks so I suppose I should post some progress photos.

Started out leveling the board. Dave Collins showed us how to take it to another level (pun intended).


Action shot of Dave doing his magic


After several rounds of marking up the board and leveling it back down the fret board is ready. Dave showed us how to use differential pressure on the headstock to vary the relief from the treble to bass sides of the board. Hesh was kind enough to let me use his bench for the weekend - thanks Hesh!


Since this guitar has no truss rod it had to be compression fretted and Dave schooled me through that process.


Frets are in and ready to be leveled. Red marker makes it easy to see progress.


Frets are done. It was a very instructive but long day. Time to head out, tomorrow will be the setup class.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Steve. Very nice work on that crack repair. From the pix you posted - your job is much more clean than the work done by my local luthier on the old Lyon and Healey Lakeside parlor.

I may box it up and send it to you

Very cool Steve!!!

See that Steve, one refret and you will have more then paid for the class!

Thanks John too!

The following day was the setup class and that was another eye opener. Hesh and Dave were all over helping us out. There was also some work on the white board with Professor Collins lecturing and then demonstrating. Besides showing us how to do great setup properly he also showed us how to do it relatively quick. I've done two setups since I came home, one with a light fret dress, and they came out better than my previous efforts and in less time. Talk about win win

Just like in leveling the board and the frets, careful preparation is the key.


Nut blank sized for a perfect fit


Nut cut to rough size, positioning the outer strings.


After the slots are cut to the proper depth it's time to "bring the nut down to the proper height with the big file" trick. It is a bit nerve wracking to see it done the first time but it works great.


Final fitting of the nut follows and again the stress was on attention to detail. The last element is to complete the saddle and get it to the correct height - no photos here, guess I was too busy working to get it right.

Dave and Hesh have a cool little buffer they use for nuts and saddles. I'll be putting one of those in my shop.

I paid a lot of attention to how they're shop is set up and I've already drawn up plans to rework my shop to make it more efficient. I'm also going to eliminate some tools, furniture and even some wood that just doesn't need to be there.

If Dave likes it then it's gotta be pretty darn good - and it's hanging on the wall right next to me as I write this

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Yep one really cool one owner Martin. First compression fret I've ever seen and it worked out perfectly.

Excellent thread Steve! Thanks for sharing.

Thanks so much for sharing, Steve. And your sweet old 0-16NY got a lot of well deserved attention.

Thanks Pete and everyone. The guitar plays great and after 10 months the neck action is still excellent - thanks to the great teachers at Ann Arbor Guitars!

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

I am not sure I remember seeing this thread. Excellent journey through the restoration.

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http://www.Harvestmoonguitars.com