Search found 47 matches

by John Scime
Wed Apr 09, 2025 1:12 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Replace old ply back with solid wood?
Replies: 68
Views: 51304

Re: Replace old ply back with solid wood? X brace conversion

A little late to the game but thought I'd chime in regardless. First off - kudos to the OP for giving it a shot. This is not a simple task, and while the first result wasn't great, you did it! Loads of great comments from other posters that was really useful - there is so much wisdom in this forum. ...
by John Scime
Wed Apr 09, 2025 11:59 am
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Replace old ply back with solid wood?
Replies: 68
Views: 51304

Re: Replace old ply back with solid wood? X brace conversion

A little late to the game, but thought I'd chime in regardless. First off - kudos to the OP for giving it a shot. This is not a simple task, and while the first result wasn't great, you did it! Loads of great comments from other posters that I'm sure was really useful - certainly was for me - as the...
by John Scime
Tue Apr 08, 2025 1:23 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Kalamazoo KG 11 plans needed
Replies: 5
Views: 4422

Re: Kalamazoo KG 11 plans needed

I don't know where you would could find plans for a KG11 - the pear-shape doesnt correspond to the shape of most Kalamazoo/Kel Kroyden/Cromwell flattops which used the same factory moulds as the Gibson L-00. That said, you can learn a lot about 1930s era Gibson and Kalamazoo construction by watching...
by John Scime
Sun Jul 07, 2024 11:32 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Gibson A headstock break
Replies: 1
Views: 5461

Gibson A headstock break

Seems my post from last week got lost in the server swap! But not before I received excellent advise. I spent about 60 minutes gently picking out crushed grain and associated splinters along the break, then glued it together using hot hide glue. It came together well enough, but I wouldnt say perfec...
by John Scime
Tue Jul 02, 2024 9:46 am
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: 1970s Fender F-35 acoustic - have a dovetail?
Replies: 9
Views: 11951

Re: 1970s Fender F-35 acoustic - have a dovetail?

Thanks, Barry. This is EXACTLY the kind of experience and detailed knowledge I was looking for. I will replicate your approach 100%. Totally agree regarding bolt-ons. While I respect the approach is not for everyone, I have owned a 1986 Marc Beneteau GC with Florintine cutaway for 30 years and it is...
by John Scime
Mon Jul 01, 2024 7:10 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: 1970s Fender F-35 acoustic - have a dovetail?
Replies: 9
Views: 11951

Re: 1970s Fender F-35 acoustic - have a dovetail?

Sorry - a Kung foo reset is when you use a very thin-kerfed , flexible Japanese saw to saw between the body and the neck heel up to the fretboard- basically you cut the heel off flush to the body, removing the dovetail, leaving the FB - theN you reset the angle and convert the neck to bolt-on. Lots ...
by John Scime
Mon Jul 01, 2024 12:16 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: 1970s Fender F-35 acoustic - have a dovetail?
Replies: 9
Views: 11951

Re: 1970s Fender F-35 acoustic - have a dovetail?

...as are thoughts about how successful a Kung foo reset would be with the *TRUSS ROD.
by John Scime
Mon Jul 01, 2024 12:07 pm
Forum: The Soundhole
Topic: Gibson A mandolin neck break post removed?
Replies: 1
Views: 6166

Gibson A mandolin neck break post removed?

Hi there. I posted earlier this week seeking advice on a neck break on a 1915 a Gibson A mando. The post seems to be gone. Did I inadvertently break a rule? Pls advise so I can avoid in future, if so.

Many thx for all the great work you do!

Js
by John Scime
Mon Jul 01, 2024 9:55 am
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: 1970s Fender F-35 acoustic - have a dovetail?
Replies: 9
Views: 11951

1970s Fender F-35 acoustic - have a dovetail?

Back in the 1980s, I owned several Fender acoustics - F35/75/85 - when these were considered decent guitars. While they looked kinda purdy, I got rid of them all by the mid 1990s and moved on to actual good guitars! All but one, that is - the cheap F-35, all-plywood box. I loaned this guitar to a de...
by John Scime
Mon Jul 01, 2024 8:28 am
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: 1936 Kalamazoo KM-11 Mandolin restoration - fretting over the tongue
Replies: 6
Views: 31489

Re: 1936 Kalamazoo KM-11 Mandolin restoration - fretting over the tongue

Thx. I'm very pleased with how this project turned out. The banjo wire is a pleasure to play vs the original, very thin and low fret wire. I like it so much, I'm thinking of installing banjo wire on my 1916 Gibson A. We'll see! Complete set of pics for the restored Kalamzoo can be found here: https:...
by John Scime
Wed May 01, 2024 2:31 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Forcing steeper break angle over saddle on stella-type guitar
Replies: 14
Views: 22072

Re: Forcing steeper break angle over saddle on stella-type guitar

Another way to improve or correct the soundhole 'dip' or 'potato-chipping' on old ladder braced guitars, is to install bracing round the sound hole running from the lower brace to upper brace. Ideally, you sand a slight radius into the braces too, to counter the existing forces. I have done this on ...
by John Scime
Tue Feb 06, 2024 11:33 am
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Silvertone parlor back loose.
Replies: 6
Views: 11083

Re: Silvertone parlor back loose.

I have found that clean feeler guages work well to force glue into that transition area where it gets really tight. You do need to be careful, as the thinner guages WILL break. Pull them straight out, as opposed to on an angle. I keep a broken one around specifically for this purpose.
by John Scime
Sun Mar 19, 2023 9:47 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: 1920s 'The Veron' Stromberg Voisintte - Bridge Blues
Replies: 16
Views: 34850

Re: 1920s 'The Veron' Stromberg Voisintte - Bridge Blues

Compress_20230319_213126_6125.jpg Compress_20230319_214626_6458.jpg X-Bracing the 1920s 'The Vernon' parlor by Stromberg-Voisinette. Back in January, I was ready to x-brace the top of this old parlor guitar. Then I got COVID. But more to the point, I got a little lazy ... Getting back at it, ... I ...
by John Scime
Mon Jan 02, 2023 5:33 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Repair of '74 Martin D-18
Replies: 29
Views: 55455

Re: Repair of '74 Martin D-18

That's some beautiful craftsmanship on the kerfed lining.
by John Scime
Mon Jan 02, 2023 2:31 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: 1920s 'The Veron' Stromberg Voisintte - Bridge Blues
Replies: 16
Views: 34850

Re: 1920s 'The Veron' Stromberg Voisintte - Bridge Blues

We'll, I'm certainly not Mr. Ford, but I'm more or less happy with how the patch turned out. I beveled the inside edge and chalked fitted it the best I could, and managed to get a decent glue-up. It is still pretty rough on the top, but certainly a great deal better than before. I think with the con...
by John Scime
Thu Oct 27, 2022 7:23 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: 1920s 'The Veron' Stromberg Voisintte - Bridge Blues
Replies: 16
Views: 34850

Re: 1920s 'The Veron' Stromberg Voisintte - Bridge Blues

Barry, as always, thanks so much for the detailed response. I think I will pull the back (it's loose in a couple spots anyway), and get this done correctly. Might even convert to xbrace while I'm in there, as I think it will add to the strength of the weakened top, which has a lot of cracks. I did a...
by John Scime
Sat Oct 22, 2022 8:44 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: 1920s 'The Veron' Stromberg Voisintte - Bridge Blues
Replies: 16
Views: 34850

1920s 'The Veron' Stromberg Voisintte - Bridge Blues

I like to refurbish old parlor guitars. I've been working on this guitar and off for a quite a while. The top under the bridge is in very rough shape. The bridge that was on it was a martin-style many years ago by the original owner, who wasnt particularly careful. I'm worried that I won't get enoug...
by John Scime
Sun Feb 13, 2022 12:59 pm
Forum: Tools and Jigs
Topic: Sizing a side-bending Form
Replies: 7
Views: 7687

Re: Sizing a side-bending Form

Thanks, Bryan and Clay. This discussion has been very helpful! I think I'm ready to go now.

Cheers. Js
by John Scime
Thu Jan 27, 2022 4:17 pm
Forum: Tools and Jigs
Topic: Sizing a side-bending Form
Replies: 7
Views: 7687

Re: Sizing a side-bending Form

Thanks, as always!

The wisdom and experience of this forum is second to none!

Js
by John Scime
Wed Jan 26, 2022 10:36 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Butternut twins
Replies: 6
Views: 8801

Re: Butternut twins

Hi Andy. I love the look of the butternut. Its beautiful. I live not far from Ottawa and have some butternut trees on my property. This gives me ideas! Thx for sharing.

John

Go to advanced search