MIMF

I have a friend that brought in a late 30's Epiphone Triumph archtop with severe binding shrinkage/ Celluloid degradation. It's a mess, cracks, bad re-glues, missing sections, shrunken down from the top plate and in from the sides, the guitar is in nice shape otherwise. It needs to be completely removed and replaced. This instrument has heavy binding on the front, all White, approximately 1/4" X 1/4" and a thinner binding on the back. I don't want to do the project and I would like some suggestions as to who he should get to do the work. We're in central Illinois but he will ship it if necessary.

Suggestions?

Talk to Joe Vinikow at "Archtops.com" in Seattle, 206-322-5692. Check out the website.

Mike J

Where are you located, Paul? Might be able to recommend someone near your area.

Dealing with new binding and nice condition old finish is a tedious process to avoid causing damage to the finish. It can be done but will require good mental concentration and skill. Also, what is the finish? I worked on a 40s Broadway that had what I think was an oil varnish. It definitely was not shellac or lacquer, and the guitar could have benefited from a clean refinish, as much of the original finish was almost falling off or missing.

The instruments owner is aware of archtops.com but did not seem very keen on sending it to them. At this point, I am trying to gather some possibilities so this guy has some choices/ options.

Michael Lewis, I'm in Champaign, Illinois. Mark Tate at the Luthier Shoppe in Springfield and Skip Goez in St. Louis where suggested at Frank Ford's site after posting the query there yesterday.

I am fully aware how difficult this project will be to do correctly, it needs someone with finesse and patience to do the work. The finish is in pretty darn good condition, the usual finish checking but it's all there. I did not test it but am pretty sure it's lacquer.

You could try Galloup Guitars in Big Rapids, Mi or Elderly Instruments in Lansing, MI.

Thank you for your suggestions Mark.

Any others?

You could also check with Dan Earlewine at Stew Mac. Any of the better repair shops should be able to give you a good recommendation. I'm not familiar with any more shops in your area.

Thank you for your input Michael.

Mate, if I was you, I'd give your friend the information you've gathered, and suggest that he decide on his own, and/or find other options on his own....

Why? this seems like a good way to wreck a friendship. If he takes your recommendations and doesn't like the result, you'll cop the blame.

I've seen it before in many arena, and this kind of thing always ends badly. Unless you have complete faith in the reference, which I get the feeling you don't, you're on the hook for the heat....

I'd either do the job myself, or beg off any responsibility.....

Thanks for your unnecessary concern Nick. I'm just helping out finding possibilities from which he will make his own desisions.