From telecasters and strats, to vintage guilds and gibsons and other beloved electric guitars, an experienced luthier will make all the difference. I have read a lot online and tried most of the solutions mentioned with no luck. Restoration is the act of adding foreign material to a comic book through certain. They are all written by luthier john levan and published by mel bay publishing. Dan erlewine demos three of his favorite finish repair tips. Waterproof no scratch bubble free make ur custom sticker bomb today. You have to be careful with the clamping so as to protect the finish. You can get a nice new finish while still preserving much of the character that was already there. This is an extremely common, somewhat expected condition on older instruments with lacquer finishes. Removing scratches from guitar finishes lacquer repair. You might find this gives your instrument unique character, but if not, refinishing is well within your ability. Ive done a lot of guitar building and repair stripping a poly guitar is slow but a good industrial strength stripper will eventually soften the finish enough to get it to release from the wood. Shaving fret ends grinding and filing frets due to neck wood shrinking. Jan 12, 2012 over the years, ive managed to pick up several small scratches in my 2006 sg special.
Dans books on guitar repair dan erlewines guitar shop. How to repair a paint chip on a guitar our pastimes. December 20, 2012 december 18, 2012 by best bass gear. Please allow 68 weeks minimum for all finish repairs and minimum 90120 days for refinishes. Professional guitar and bass refinishing at pace guitar repair. First off, do not get this if you wish to repair a solid state amp.
Luthier and instructor, robert obrien, shows how to repair a finish using ca glue. Bass is primarily a rhythm instrument while guitar can provide both rhythm and leadmelody. If the instrument needs little or no wood repair, and the finish is compatible with lacquer, a surface prep can be substitud for the wood prep phase, reducing the cost of a. Discussion in guitars in general started by cuthbert, feb 18, 2011. Both luthiers are reliable ive read a lot about the super glue fix, but havent heard as much on the airbrush approach. Use a wooden dowel wrapped in sandpaper to get the majority of the old finish off in hardtoreach places, such as the curve of the horn on a guitar. Its a lot less detailed in some things, but a good quick reference. Were back at it with the new trade secrets email newsletter today.
Ive showed my guitar to 2 luthiers and they have suggested 2 different approaches. Comprehensive, stepbystep instructions and closeup shots clarify how to set the action for ultimate playability, adjust for bulletproof intonation, and keep any guitar. Complete guitar repair by hideo kamimoto, paperback. The first four are part of a faq frequently asked question series. If you are set on having a specific color, or simply want to try your hand at refinishing an old or cheap guitar, you can learn how to repaint a guitar yourself. May 19, 2017 i have a takamine eg334rc that the finish has developed a white haze on about 60% of the guitar see pics. My technique for transferring an inkjet printout to a guitar body. Mar 18, 20 ive showed my guitar to 2 luthiers and they have suggested 2 different approaches.
Often times a refinish may not be worth it instead of just selling and buying another guitar with the finish you want. I bought cellusolve in a smallish container, long ago though. Guitar player repair guide 3rd edition new in this 3rd edition, the content is organized for you based on your skill level. If you have a picture of your guitars condition, upload it to our estimator platform and well be able to get you an even more accurate repair. Were different than other toronto guitar shops because we service your guitar with your own personal music and playing style in mind. From expert installation of factory parts to custom modifications, the sweetwater guitar workshop can handle it. Someone needs to make a guitar repair video with a kickass car chase scene. Electric guitar repair, restoration, setups schneider guitars.
You should check with a local guitar shop in your area that also does repairs and they should have somebody that repairs finishes, etc. As an instruments wood expands and contracts with moisture content stress is placed on the finish. At our shop, we use it in dozens of ways, but unless you understand its properties and know how to handle it safely, you can wind up in trouble in a matter of seconds. First, i want our visitors to be able to share guitar repair guitar building ideas and techniques in a spamfree environment. Obviously scratches are a part of life, but on occasion we want to spruce up our instrument and erase some of the wear and tear associated with playing. Its very informative and thorough, and easy to read. Youve been playing it for years, but the time has come to give it a makeover. I have a takamine eg334rc that the finish has developed a white haze on about 60% of the guitar see pics. Guitar scratch remover polish guitarscratchremover by. Customers tend to keep these cards as a record of the repair for yearsbetter than a business card. Polymer finishes talked about the differences between an epoxy guitar finish versus a lacquer finish. Cyanoacrylate, which you commonly know as superglue, is something that probably isnt in your tool kit. The color was cool when you bought it photo 1, but now youd like a change.
Finally, i want to share some of my guitar repair and finishing. Llexi leon is the creator of multimedia concept eternal descent which began making noise in london, england in 2005. I actually had a dentist appointment yesterday and today a. Includes glue and brush touchup with appropriate finish. Whoah playing the star spangled banner was an honor indeed more will be revealed categories. Every serious guitarist learns to set up, repair, and maybe even customize their own instruments. When i use the term touch up i am usually referring to a relatively small area that can be repaired by brush work drop filling finish into a chip or valley or air brushing a small area. If you are set on having a specific color, or simply want to try your hand at refinishing an. How to refinish a guitar with nitrocellulose lacquer. A guitar is supposed to look like its been played hard, and leaned up against beer stained amps, or smokey tavern walls, and thrown about in the back of pickup trucks, or tipped off stands by toddlers trespassing in dads music room, or dinged accidentally by big. However, its important to remember that aging and environmental factors will gradually change a guitars finish over time. The guitar specialist, masterful lutherie services for all fretted instruments. Lacquer, polyurethane, polyester poly, even nitro nitrocellulose finishes for the best results ever.
The guitar specialist is new yorks premier guitar repair and restoration experts located in westchester county, ny serving musicians from the new york, connecticut and new jersey area for. A guitar with a thin nitro finish will resonate better than one with a hard poly. If the instrument needs little or no wood repair, and the finish is compatible with lacquer, a surface prep can be substitud for the wood prep phase, reducing the cost of a refinishing job by 25% to 50%. Eternal descent is a comic book and music series unlike any other, a crossgenre story that blends elements of fantasy, action, music, superhero, gothic, science fiction, supernatural and other elements into an ongoing saga. Apply by hand and wipe off to restore your guitar finish like a pro. Check out the price list then describe your repair for us and well get you a live estimate. Complete guitar repair by hideo kamimoto, paperback barnes. How to build a custom handcrafted acoustic guitar from start to finish. The ding im going to repair is small and round so its a perfect candidate for the nail polish treatment. Dan erlewine is the author of guitar player repair guide 4. My fav finishing book is bob flexners understanding wood finishing. The cube allows you to position the fingerboard up and down for work on the board or on the frets, and it allows for you change the angle on the laying guitar and the height of the headstock which allows for greater flexibility.
Given some of the alternatives a lovely if chilly spring day. John carruthers, legendary guitar builder and repair guru to the stars, has teamed up with alfred to produce this ultimate beginners guide to guitar repair and maintenance. I are conveniently located in bay shore, ny exit 44 on sunrise hwy, just south of montauk highway. From the end of the 1950s through the 1970s, highend radio cabinets often had high gloss polished finishes. Just finishing my second cup of jorma kaukonens campfire blend coffee. Strings can be reused if desired, but the price for a restring will still be added. This article discusses a remedy option for repair or redoing a guitar finish when the polyepoxy finish is no long presentable or desirable. Jun 28, 20 spiderman stratocaster guitar body comic book strat.
If your electric guitar has a worndown or otherwise damaged finish, you can refinish it with a nitrocellulose lacquer, giving your axe a nice new look. Here is a tutorial on the complete repair of a les paul example. Buffing scratches is an option if they dont go too deep. Determine the appropriate color more precisely when taking on a larger repair. Transfering an inkjet printed image to a guitar body youtube. Art biography business childrens christian classics comics cookbooks ebooks fantasy. Super glue plays an important role in many types of guitar repair. Now you can upload photos with your repair estimate request. If youre going to do anything more than install strings on. Or if it is, you probably would never bring that stuff anywhere near a bass guitar when repairing it. As the author of guitar player s popular repairs column, he has shown thousands of guitar owners how to keep their instruments in top condition. A nonwarranty repair by sweetwater will in no way endanger or negate your manufacturer or total confidence coverage warranty. Overall, the book has some great guitar maintenance and diagrams to give you some basic starting points. Cleating installing small patches of wood inside guitar to reinforce repair as necessary.
Guitar refinishing guitar bass and amplifier repair in. The guitar specialist is new yorks premier guitar repair and restoration experts located in westchester county, ny serving musicians from the new york, connecticut and new jersey area for more than 20 years. Have beautiful guitar with nitrocellulose finish and some minor abrasion or it and chipping on the neck binding bass side. Any experience minor nitrocellulose repair gretsch. After enough time, the finish on a guitar will begin to fade. Its a complete guide from wood prep to finishing the finish and has color stain guide and a finish gallery. It covers the repair, setup, restoration and construction of acoustic and electric guitars, and includes hundreds.
Repair of high gloss polished polyester lacquer finishes. Refined technology, premium ingredients, and advanced formulation. It has one page 62 and it has very little useful information. By suspending a guitar above the bench all of the fret dust dust falls to the bench below far away from the guitar so i can concentrate on your frets and not worrying about the finish of the guitar moving around on a bench with fret dust all over it. Daves years of electric guitar repairs, restorations and setups will prove significant to the end result. It could also be partly due to the fact that when i read books, i start to day dream, etc. Im addressing the touch up of solid color areas here, not the repair of transparent guitar finish where the wood, although colored, shows through.
Electric guitar repair, restoration, setups schneider. Fire roll, hand drill, bow drill, and bamboo fire saw duration. This warranty will only cover the work performed and does not cover defects unrelated to the original reported problem and completed repair. Please contact savage classical guitar via email with any questionsask for rich. Toronto guitar repairs guitar repair shop in toronto. Repairing guitars becomes easier as you become more skilled at diagnosing the problem and replacing parts properly. Comprehensive, stepbystep instructions and closeup shots clarify how to set the action for ultimate playability, adjust for bulletproof intonation, and keep any guitar in top condition for a lifetime. When buffing scratches out, quite literally, finish is being removed until you are at the bottom of the scratch, making the finish a. Apr 27, 2018 my technique for transferring an inkjet printout to a guitar body. Nonwarranty repairs will be covered by a 90day parts and labor repair warranty. Dec 20, 2012 bass is generally plucked using the index and middle fingers to pluck upward on the strings. First, i want our visitors to be able to share guitar repairguitar building ideas and techniques in a spamfree environment. Well, no, ive often fallen asleep while watching a guitar repair video. Luthier tips du jour mailbag 24 finish repair youtube.
John also authored pg s guitar shop 101 column, hosted several pg diy videos, and is an authorized warranty technician trainer for taylor guitars. You need to keep the surface flat while the solvent melts the lacquer. They can put it on fast and it builds thick easy to rub out to a high polish without burning through. But nitrocellulose is flammable and hazardous to inhale, so make sure you have a wellventilated work area and use proper safety precautions, like wearing a respirator mask. The guitar doesnt slip and it doesnt scratch the guitar. Does your instrument need a setup, wiring, new frets custom modifications or even a restoration. I own half a dozen guitar neck stands for repair and restringing and this is by far my favorite. John levan has written five guitar repair books published by mel bay. Repair chips and cracks in finish fender stratocaster. Dan erlewine author of guitar player repair guide goodreads.
Renato bellucci is welcome to debate any of this with me in a public forum for the entire guitar world to witness. For example, you may simply want to refresh the finish with the same color, or even a different color. The dvd with the new guitar player repair guide includes printable repair forms. This volume presents absolutely everything that any guitar repairman, player, builder or owner needs to know about the proper care of every kind of guitar. Feel those notes and get lost in it again with lildemon guitars repair shop in toronto. Dan erlewine is a widely respected guitar builder and repairman.
Has anyone had experience with small repairs i am talking about repair to an area of about 12 inch by 18th inch couple such areas. Guitar refinishing guitar bass and amplifier repair in new. Its not really noticeable as its in the top of the guitar, as you play it, but, since the rest of the body looks so pristine, id just as soon not have it there. When youve removed all of the old finish, go over the guitar and make sure there are no uneven spots. The best kept secret in bass guitar repair is superglue. This is the most comprehensive book ive ever found on guitar adjustments, repairs and refinishing. Guitar center most likely does not do the work, but can farm it out to somebody who does. If your computer doesnt read dvd discs, no problem. Checking will vary according to the extremes the instrument has been through. Weigh in the huge possibility of your natural finish not being reasonable with the wood you might have. The definitive book for finishing guitars and fretted instruments. Guitar music is generally written in treble clef if you take lessons youll learn to read treble clef, while bass music is written in bass clef. Toronto guitar repairs guitar repair shop in toronto lil. Elliot johnconry of ejc guitars ages dans patch of new plastic binding so it blends in with the old binding around it.
I used it last year to repair a 70 yo guitar in one area. If you have a better quality guitar it might have a straight nc lacquer on it which is super easy to strip off. The fifth book the big book is a comprehensive repair manual that covers all guitars, plus much more. To create such a finish, the surface of the wood was coated with up to 1 mm thick polyester varnish, followed by sanding and polishing. I own a guitar repair business and have been looking for something better than what i have to put the customers guitars on while im working on them. The problem is that the repair may cost close to the value of the guitar. How to survive alone in the wilderness for 1 week eastern woodlands duration. One of the limitations when purchasing a guitar, especially a lowbudget model, is the lack of color choices available.
To my knowledge, the guitar has not been wet, but its not impossible. Its been a while since weve been to the belly up in solano beach and it was good to be. Our staff of the finest luthiers in the industry gives us the ability to confidently handle even the most indepth jobs, creating your perfect guitar. Calling a guitar manufacturer will generally yield some information regarding the exact type of finish that was used on a particular model. First, to keep the terms simple, poly will be the term used to describe an instrument finish by way of a polyurthrene or expoy formula. Electric guitar repair, restoration and setups return to electric guitar repair. Second, i want to archive the great techniques from this forum and place them on the repair techniques page. Is it an expensive or common guitar and how much are you willing to pay to have it fixed.
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