Recommendation for an archtop restoration expert.

**Jabberwocky** · 04-24-2012, 05:42 AM

May I seek the knowledge of the forum for recommendations of archtop restoration experts located in the USA?

Many established luthiers do not do restorations any longer, and I understand their reasons for it.

I am aware of Joe Vinikow and his workshop. Is there anybody else who does mainly repair and restoration?

And yes, no chisel-wielding "amateurs"; we all know the damage they can do to "real" guitars.

And thank you all for your help in advance.

**PTChristopher** · 04-24-2012, 07:48 AM

I have no specific recommendation, but out of curiosity - what is the project?

It may help others to know if this is a rebind/refinish, or a far more extensive project with wood (crack) repair, neck joint work, significant replacement (like the FB), etc.

It might also be interesting to know roughly where you are located. Nothing beats a face-to-face plan with the person doing the work.

Chris

**clem_gael** · 04-24-2012, 08:12 AM

Otto d'ambrosio

Welcome to D'Ambrosio Guitars

Made restoration on "real" D'aquistos, D'angelicos, Zeidler...

**JohnW400** · 04-24-2012, 09:02 AM

Try Mandolin Brothers. They have restored plenty of instruments.

**Gibson L4CES** · 04-24-2012, 09:38 AM

I had two cracks in my L4CES repaired by JW Guitar Restoration. It is a one person shop. He takes his time, but his work was awesome. You can visit his website JW Guitar Restoration, Inc. provides full repair, restoration and custom shop services for guitarists in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania region and throughout the United States

**Patrick2** · 04-24-2012, 11:22 AM

www.aaronsmusicservice.com

**Jabberwocky** · 04-24-2012, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by PTChristopher

I have no specific recommendation, but out of curiosity - what is the project?

It may help others to know if this is a rebind/refinish, or a far more extensive project with wood (crack) repair, neck joint work, significant replacement (like the FB), etc.

It might also be interesting to know roughly where you are located. Nothing beats a face-to-face plan with the person doing the work.

Chris

Sorry, Chris, I have to be a little cagey about this until the guitar is safely in my greedy little hands

Yeah, the back and binding need to be re-glued, fingerboard and frets require a bit of work and probably a light re-lacquer. There are no cracks in the guitar.

**Gibson L4CES** · 04-24-2012, 11:37 AM

I also had a re-fret job done by Aaron's Music Service. He also cut a pick guard for me. He did a super job too.

**Patrick2** · 04-24-2012, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by Gibson L4CES

I also had a re-fret job done by Aaron's Music Service. He also cut a pick guard for me. He did a super job too.

I sing Aaron's praises whenever I get a chance to. I'm sure he's not the only gifted and talented luthier out there . . . but, he's the best one that I know of and that I've commissioned work from. He built me a 17" and an 18" arch top that are just perfect! The 18" is the crown jewel of my collection. The restoration work he does is impeccable.

**Jabberwocky** · 04-24-2012, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by Patrick2

www.aaronsmusicservice.com

Thanks, Patrick2, I forgot about Aaron. I shall write to him.

And thanks to all others who replied with their recommendations. You've all been helpful. I'm grateful.

Keep 'em coming.

**Patrick2** · 04-24-2012, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

Thanks, Patrick2, I forgot about Aaron. I shall write to him.

And thanks to all others who replied with their recommendations. You've all been helpful. I'm grateful.

Keep 'em coming.

Don't bother writing to Aaron. He doesn't own a computer and wouldn't know how to turn one on if he did. Get his tele # off of his web site and call him direct. He's off on Mondays and works half day on Saturdays. Tuesday through Friday it's usually 9 AM 'til 4 PM. Tell him I said hi. I was just with him last week . . or was it week before last?? He hand made me a bridge and bridge base for a new Golden Eagle I just picked up at the plant . . . (I don't like the one they're using now). Hand made it out of a block of Madagascar ebony that he had lying around his shop for some 15 years. Also cut me in a new bone nut. All this while I waited and talked his ear off. I really like that guy!! We sit and chat . . he reminisces some great old stories of his 20 plus years at Gibson. His hands were on most of the original Citations that came out of the Parsons Street plant. You can see the influence in the 2 arch tops he made for me.

**DaveS** · 04-24-2012, 05:02 PM

FWIW, this is an extensive thread on the restoration of a '46 D'Angelico..........don't know if it applies but it's a brilliant thread
1946 D'Angelico Restoration - The Gear Page

**Spook410** · 04-24-2012, 05:30 PM

These are helpful links and thoughts to get me thinking about the Brazilian Kinscherff flattop I have that's going to need a lot of work.

**Patrick2** · 04-24-2012, 05:34 PM

Originally Posted by DaveS

FWIW, this is an extensive thread on the restoration of a '46 D'Angelico..........don't know if it applies but it's a brilliant thread
1946 D'Angelico Restoration - The Gear Page

I think Giuliano died.

**ah.clem** · 04-24-2012, 08:36 PM

Archtop.com advertises that they do restoration work but I haven't used them yet, so no opinion on their work.

**fauves** · 04-25-2012, 12:34 AM

there is a member named Curt on the gretsch discussion pages who has tons of documented restoration work ( photos and customers posting)with refin, reglue and neck resets. unsure of refrets. he gave me a quote on a refin and I was really surprised at how cheap it was. If you do a member search there you can PM him and google his work with a search thats site specific.