After 4 months the 30s LH Gibson L-7 is strung up and 'playable' RH!

[garybaldy]

So I got the correct right hand bridge from the good ole US of A for my left handed 30s L7. After, then, cogitating over the the LH'd tailpiece crossbar which is slotted in graduations for it to be strung LH'd (don't think you'd get that nowadays) I made a decision - I wasn't going to widen the slots and alter it in any way or flip it over, which would have looked a bit odd, but I bought a modern Nickel plated tailpiece, took off the bar and aged it with white vinegar. It's not perfect and a bit clumpy compared to the original but it does the job.
I had noticed a while ago that the original (left-handed) bridge saddle had been notched at the thumb wheels whereas the new (old) right handed bridge hadn't so wondered if I'd have an action issue.
It's a bonus that the bridge base doesn't need any contouring!
Well, it's strung up now with Martin 80/20 superior performance strings (as per Mr Stout). I've gone with 12s. That has induced a modicum of relief and as I suspected the action is rather high. I don't think adjusting the TR will be enough, so looks like I'll be taking it to a Luthier for appraisal and probable neck reset. I'm OK with that.
TBH I'd prefer that to shaving down the bridge. I WISH MARK C WAS IN THE UK!!
Anyway, it is playable! and sounds lovely. More warm than bright and a very nice balance across the strings. Beautiful bass and full warm treble. See you again after I've spent a couple of quid!!
The 4th pic shows the underside of the left handed graduated string slots which I didn't want to butcher. The 5th pic is my poor attempt at aging nickel plate!

[wintermoon]

normally I'd do a neck reset on an archtop as the very last resort, I'm more inclined to get another bridge saddle and cut it down but that one looks very low already. but see what your luthier says before you do anything.
good luck, those 16" prewar L-7s are usually great little guitars

[garybaldy]

normally I'd do a neck reset on an archtop as the very last resort, I'm more inclined to get another bridge saddle and cut it down but that one looks very low already. but see what your luthier says before you do anything.
good luck, those 16" prewar L-7s are usually great little guitars

Thank you. I can tell it's a great guitar even with it's (almost) Freddie Green action! BTW the bridge, bottomed out, is 18mm. I wouldn't really want to shave it down any more.

[GuyBoden]

That's a very nice guitar.

Personally speaking, for any Neck Reset, I'd find an extremely experienced Luthier. Who's work is recommended by players you trust.

Obviously, you know this already, but I always like to keep this in mind.

[garybaldy]

That's a very nice guitar.

Personally speaking, for any Neck Reset, I'd find an extremely experienced Luthier. Who's work is recommended by players you trust.

Obviously, you know this already, but I always like to keep this in mind.

Thanks Guy.
Can you recommend anyone in the UK in the SW of England or S Wales please?
I had the neck done on a nice but budget canadian flat top by someone near me in S Wales. It was a great job. He also did a Martin neck for a friend but I don't know of his experience with archies, particularly nice old ones.
Cheers

[David B]

Thanks Guy.
Can you recommend anyone in the UK in the SW of England or S Wales please?
I had the neck done on a nice but budget canadian flat top by someone near me in S Wales. It was a great job. He also did a Martin neck for a friend but I don't know of his experience with archies, particularly nice old ones.
Cheers

Alex Bishop Guitars in Bristol. He builds beautiful guitars, mostly in the jazz manouche style, and is a fine jazz player himself. He does great-looking repair work - his Instagram page has a number of posts showing him doing a neck reset and restoration of a '59 Byrdland amongst others.
Alex Bishop Guitars | Luthier Bristol | Alex Bishop Guitars, Easton Road, Easton, Bristol, UK
Alex Bishop // Guitar luthier // Handmade instruments (@alexbishopguitars) • Instagram photos and videos

[garybaldy]

Alex Bishop Guitars in Bristol. He builds beautiful guitars, mostly in the jazz manouche style, and is a fine jazz player himself. He does great-looking repair work - his Instagram page has a number of posts showing him doing a neck reset and restoration of a '59 Byrdland amongst others.
Alex Bishop Guitars | Luthier Bristol | Alex Bishop Guitars, Easton Road, Easton, Bristol, UK
Alex Bishop // Guitar luthier // Handmade instruments (@alexbishopguitars) • Instagram photos and videos

Thank you very much David

[Rickco]

Nice guitar. Good looking mantle also! so for the aging you just leave it there and wait?

[garybaldy]

Nice guitar. Good looking mantle also! so for the aging you just leave it there and wait?

Thanks.
Not on the mantle! After a gentle rub with fine scotchbrite and a clean with isopropyl, the tailpiece 'bar' was suspended with string under the lid of a takeaway container. I put about 3/4" of white vinegar in the container and put the lid on. Kept the bar above the liquid (some people immerse it but some don't - just with the fumes it's slower and easier to monitor) and left it for 24 hrs and thought that'll do.

[garybaldy]

Alex Bishop Guitars in Bristol. He builds beautiful guitars, mostly in the jazz manouche style, and is a fine jazz player himself. He does great-looking repair work - his Instagram page has a number of posts showing him doing a neck reset and restoration of a '59 Byrdland amongst others.
Alex Bishop Guitars | Luthier Bristol | Alex Bishop Guitars, Easton Road, Easton, Bristol, UK
Alex Bishop // Guitar luthier // Handmade instruments (@alexbishopguitars) • Instagram photos and videos

Hi David
We're off to Alex Bishop in Bristol for an appraisal tomorrow morning!