1974 Gibson ES-175 - Broken Tone Bar

**colski** · 12-10-2012, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

colski, how far are you away from John Moriarty : Archtop.ie - Luthier John Moriarty - Nemesis Guitars ?

At least a flight or a long swim away - he's in Ireland!

**Jabberwocky** · 12-10-2012, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by colski

At least a flight or a long swim away - he's in Ireland!

I live in a virtual world; I have no concept of distance. Everything is done by post. Send it away. Send it back.

**davelang** · 12-10-2012, 04:46 PM

here's the frets.com article I'm guessing folks are referring to

FRETS.COM Field Trip

**Pukka-J** · 12-10-2012, 04:48 PM

Yes that's the one! If that can be repaired, so can mine

**Pukka-J** · 12-17-2012, 05:12 AM

Ok, last week I contacted the shop (Oldenburger Music-Station) where I bought my ES-175. The guitar was in commission, so the shop owner had to contact the original owner to discuss my proposal (€350,- refund to pay for the repair and the devaluation of the guitar).
He (the former owner) thought €350,- was to much of a discount and wanted to refund only €200,-
The shop owner then decided to add the remaining €150,- himself as he thought my proposal was realistic and he, as a facilitator, also had a responsibility!
I think that's really really decent! He'll certainly have me back as a customer!

The guitar is now at my luthier's for repair. I also decided to have it refretted. I could have played another few years without a refret, but it did have some fret wear and this is a nice moment to have everything set up right.

I expect it back next week (hopefully just before Christmas).

**Jabberwocky** · 12-17-2012, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by Pukka-J

Ok, last week I contacted the shop (Oldenburger Music-Station) where I bought my ES-175. The guitar was in commission, so the shop owner had to contact the original owner to discuss my proposal (€350,- refund to pay for the repair and the devaluation of the guitar).
He (the former owner) thought €350,- was to much of a discount and wanted to refund only €200,-
The shop owner then decided to add the remaining €150,- himself as he thought my proposal was realistic and he, as a facilitator, also had a responsibility!
I think that's really really decent! He'll certainly have me back as a customer!

The guitar is now at my luthier's for repair. I also decided to have it refretted. I could have played another few years without a refret, but it did have some fret wear and this is a nice moment to have everything set up right.

I expect it back next week (hopefully just before Christmas).

Wonderful! And a mighty decent dealer at that. It comes out of his own commission. So, win-win all round. I think the dealer knows that he may not find another buyer so willing as yourself in a long while.

Everybody wins.

**ah.clem** · 12-17-2012, 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by Clamps

The age demographic here probably isn't aware of that South Park reference

<chuckle>

BTW, is your nick a "Futurama" reference? I hope so; every time I see you post I can't help but conjure up an image of Clamps.

**Clamps** · 12-17-2012, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by ah.clem

<chuckle>

BTW, is your nick a "Futurama" reference? I hope so; every time I see you post I can't help but conjure up an image of Clamps.

Sure is! Guitars... I give 'em the clamps!!!

**bigbox** · 12-19-2012, 08:02 PM

I would buy that guitar and don't think the repair devalues it.
Good luck and nice christmas present!
Another 175 may not need a repair but also will sound and feel different.
It's harder to find one that speaks to you than get a repair.

**PTChristopher** · 12-19-2012, 08:13 PM

I played a 175 last weekend that was outwardly a bit of a mess.

It had a well-done headstock repair for the classic Gibson mahog' break. Maybe a 20 year old fix on a 1959 175.

The top had the (also classic) old horse mid collapse so the PU's faced each other more than usual.

But it played great (if you are OK with medium frets in this age of bigger frets) and sounded wonderful.

The owner loves it and will keep it for life. And he is a young guy - so that is serious commitment.

So yeah, even on a plywood bargain (hah - in original concept anyway) guitar, finding the one that works for you beats worrying about a minor problem such as the OP's guitar has.

In my off-center opinion.

Chris

**Pukka-J** · 12-20-2012, 02:37 PM

This afternoon I picked up my guitar again from my Luthiers.
He levelled the fretboard, put new frets in, repaired the broken brace and fixed up the finish underneath the bridge.
My guitar feels the same as it did before (only better) and plays super smooth! Lower action than before (don't know yet if I'll keep it that low) and everything's Hunky Dory!
What a good setup will do...

Thanks everyone for the encouragement and for letting me see things in perspective after I found out about the broken tone bar.

Now I'm gonna play the living h*ll out of this thing; that's what Brian Boitano'd do!

**rpguitar** · 12-20-2012, 04:26 PM

Tha's awesome. You did the right thing, man, in spite of the naysayers. Now... NEVER look inside that guitar with a mirror again, okay?!?

**Pukka-J** · 12-20-2012, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by rpguitar

Tha's awesome. You did the right thing, man, in spite of the naysayers. Now... NEVER look inside that guitar with a mirror again, okay?!?

I know...curiosity killed the cat...ignorance is bliss...etc.

Still glad I did though

**Archtop Guy** · 12-20-2012, 04:52 PM

Glad to hear it Pukka-J. I thought I was the last one to use the phrase "Hunky Dory". We must be the same age. Sounds like you've found a soul mate with the 175 enjoy ! Now you have to name her.

**PTChristopher** · 12-20-2012, 06:13 PM

Way to go Pukka-J - a 'better than new' 175.

>>> What a good setup will do...

Indeed. If a guitar were Johan Cruijff, it would say:

Als ik zou willen dat je me spelen, had ik het wel beter set-up.

Or something like that.

Congrats on getting it all in order.

Chris

**Pukka-J** · 12-20-2012, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by PTChristopher

Way to go Pukka-J - a 'better than new' 175.

>>> What a good setup will do...

Indeed. If a guitar were Johan Cruijff, it would say:

Als ik zou willen dat je me spelen, had ik het wel beter set-up.

Or something like that.

Congrats on getting it all in order.

Chris

Haha, indeed

Well done, and thanks again y'all!

**SamBooka** · 12-20-2012, 07:50 PM

Originally Posted by Archtop Guy

Glad to hear it Pukka-J. I thought I was the last one to use the phrase "Hunky Dory". We must be the same age. Sounds like you've found a soul mate with the 175 enjoy ! Now you have to name her.

At least he did not say peachy keen!

Glad to hear of the happy ending.. but.. as always.. more pics or it never happened.

**Pukka-J** · 12-21-2012, 11:25 AM

Another nice thing: the luthier identified the wooden bridge as Brazilian Rosewood! Peachy Keen (sorry, but you made me say that)!

Sounds great and adds to the mojo I suppose

**ChrisDowning** · 12-21-2012, 11:39 AM

Brazilian Rosewood eh? Probably from the recycled splinters of a redundant Banker's macho office furniture!

Well we can dream can't we?

You jammy bugger! (Since we are dredging up phrases from the 50's)

**Pukka-J** · 12-21-2012, 11:43 AM

Well, he has about 35 years of experience restoring vintage guitars, so I take his word for it.

And of course now I now it I'll brag about it to everyone to heighten my credibility as a guitarist

**ChrisDowning** · 12-21-2012, 11:48 AM

Don't brag too much......

Shall I send the Wood Police round to his house guys? We could re-auction the guitar to pay his release bond? Sounds like a plan?

Glad the repairs worked out - now you see what we were saying about what it would be like post-repairs - better, nicer, better action, and the repairs all but invisible. Doubt there is a Stradivarious out there that doesn't have some sort of repair - so your guitar is in good company.