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Thats a touch call Vinny. John B made it very clear that some of the hard earned "played in" tone could be compromised after a refinish. I'm hesitant to make the cosmetic repair at the expense of losing some of the tone, which could be described as "relaxed". If I decide to refinish it (and I may), John B would be the only guy who I would want to do the job and I'm pretty sure he is backlogged. Either way, it will be "as is" for a little while.
Originally Posted by vinnyv1k
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03-22-2016 09:26 PM
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Ouch! Did you end up having the guitar refinished? Originally Posted by rob taft
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An interesting tidbit about this guitar is that it came with a SD Seth Lover. I had one of these in a solid body guitar a couple of years ago and replaced it quickly. I just assumed that I would have the same experience with this one and I'm surprised at how much I like the pickup. It adds a little color vs something like a KA, but I happen to really like the color. I can see why so many people like them in their L5s. Seems like a perfect match.
Does anyone happen to know if there is a difference between a Seth Lover wound 15-20 years ago, vs. the ones being wound today?
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You would only need to replace the binding and do a neck refinish. I don't see that altering the tone to any noticeable degree but hey if you are happy as is so are we. It is your axe my friend. I am much more anal than you. I wish I was more like you. I get a chip I must have it drop filled. Same thing when I get a dent in the car. I get it fixed. Originally Posted by kid335
If the kid is happy we are happy. You still need some damage compensation IMO though. Their must be some accountability for damaging that wonderful axe.
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A little late jumping in but the guitar is wonderful. A good friend of mine plays one at most of his gigs and they are one of the best sounding guitars I've ever heard. Terrible how the shipping company treats their parcels. They are paid to do ONE job and seem to consistently fail at doing so. Whatever you decide to do with a future repair, I hope the shipper will be held legally liable for the damages and that you'll be compensated.
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Kid33335, No I have not had it refinished. I will probably have it done but being the folks and the company who built the guitar are no longer around (thank you Fender), I have to find a good finisher and hope he/she can get the same binding material. Meanwhile I play it with enjoyment. Originally Posted by kid335
As far as your guitar goes, I wouldn't worry about a neck refinish affecting the overall tone/sound of the guitar.
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The binding damage is evidence why when I pack a guitar for shipment I always insert a 4 sided empty box between the case and the exterior wall of the shipping box. Fill the empty box with whatever protective filler material one chooses. Can't do enough to protect the neck. Originally Posted by kid335
2B,
You raise a fair question, so I am happy to engage. The short answer is yes, of course yes. The longer answer is that it was shipped from South Carolina to California via Memphis. It was sent 3 day service and conditions were unseasonably warm in SC, Memphis and CA due to an El Nino front. As stated, there was a rain related delay which caused all of the Fedex packages in that area to become stacked up in Memphis. Thats where I am sure it got stacked, thrown and re-stacked. (see pics). That was a brand new box when it left SC!
To put this to rest, here are a few pics of the box and a sample of the damage. Per the opinions of my luthier, Soundpure and myself, the guitar was thrown or otherwise impacted (likely repeatedly). The impact caused almost all of the weakest parts of the binding to crack, extending down into the finish from "dot to dot".
Vinny is right, you are at the mercy of the guys handling these packages. It doesn't matter how well it is packed and unpacked. If someone decides to chuck an archtop, it will cause damage. While we would all like to explain it away by saying that the sender or received messed up, its just a crap shoot at the end of the day.
A single drop from the conveyor belt, which is 3 or more feet drop above the concrete floor of the shipping center, would have been enough to cause that damage. That belt gets log jammed and heavier boxes can collide with lighter ones. There are staff whose only job is to pick things up from the floor and place them back onto the conveyor belt. Shipping is always a crapshoot. Gorgeous archtop...'tis a shame. Good luck in resolving the issue to your satisfaction!
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Kid335,
Beautiful Guitar. Just beautiful.
I hope the situation works out for you.
I am nobody compared to Mr Buscarino, but I don't really agree with "the played in tone" part. Get it fixed. Youa re gonna want to pick up that guitar 8 times a day and you will re-create played in tone of your own.
Its a magnificent guitar and it deserves to be free of value degrading imperfections.
You seem like a terrific guy. All the best to you with your new baby!
Joe D
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+1 what JD said.
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JD, Originally Posted by Joe DeNisco
You and Vinny make a compelling case for restoration and I appreciate the advice.
The binding on the neck and body have developed a slight yellowing over the years. I would describe it as the color of a 3-5 year smoker's teeth, but in a good way if that is even possible!
Here is a pic. Do you still think just replacing the binding on the neck is appropriate?
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Kid335, I do think it is possible to match the color of the bindings and I absolutely think it should be repaired.
i like the action on that guitar. In fact I like everything about it.
Joe D
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A good luthier can color match. I had the heel cap on a '73 archtop repaired recently and you wouldn't notice if not told.
We might be a little luckier over here in the NY area though. Lots of archtops worked on around here over the past decades. Monteleone, Mirabella, and LeRoy Aiello being alumni of Mando Bros repairs/restorations.
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Not to mention Ron DeMarino, Mark Simon and Ronaldo Orlandoni. Originally Posted by HeyNow
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Kent at C.B.Perkins in San Jose can do it. He has just about every tint of clear from new to 50 years old.
I can tell you something about Jimmy D'Aquisto. Old customers always came first. If he was building a new guitar,
it was pushed aside immediately when a customer with a broken DA walked in.
He told me old business always comes before new. John B should be a bit more proactive in this situation IMO.
Jimmy's finished guitars were far more important to him or I should say the owners of them were.
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Vinny,
What I wouldn't give to travel back in time to become a scrap of wood in Jimmy D'Aquisto's shop for a day. You are a lucky man to have been a part of it. My father grew up in those neighborhoods but was a not into music
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With all due respect Vinny, I think that you're being somewhat unfair to John Buscarino.
John is putting his customer's first. I am sure that he is willing to repair his own work, but is being transparent that he has customers who have paid deposits that are currently waiting 18-24 months for their new guitars to be delivered from him. He also has other old direct sales customers of his whose instruments are in his shop already and are scheduled for repair (what you were describing). John has no apprentice, and runs a solo shop.
He is simply in setting expectations that this type of repair/restoration might be a lengthy undertaking by him given his prior obligations to a dishartened person who just purchased one of his older guitars through consigned private sale through a retailer. This is not a case where one of his "old" customers bringing an instrument back for maintenance or repair but a new owner of one of his older guitars inquiring about his ability to help. He is willing to help, but is setting expectations.
By "proactive" do you expect him to drop what he is doing to attend to this repair/restoration is a timely manner ahead of other customers? Is his priority to his new and old customers or his guitars?
My $.02
Originally Posted by vinnyv1k
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I could understand your point iim7. Bottom line is, there are plenty of master restoration specialists out there in the world who can get this guitar back to where it could be.
Kid335, Whatever you decide to do with this guitar is up to you and we stand behind you. It doesn't NEED to be perfectly restored to still be a special guitar. Its a Buscarino. Its right up there with the booty. It must be amazing to be able to pick it up and play it. And please.. Pick it up and play it often.
JD
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I am sorry if I came off sounding a little judgementle. I do not know Mr.B at all. I apologize. I am very old school in my way of thinking at times. I just kind of got the impression that Mr.B was trying to talk kid out of repairing the neck damage which IMO needs to be addressed. Sorry if I came off sounding like I was judging the man.
I can see why kid would want Mr.B to do the repair. Jimmy was the only one I would let touch my DAQ.
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Vinny, Originally Posted by vinnyv1k
No reason to apologize. I appreciate the advice and know the spirit in which it was given. Plus, you would have to wake up pretty early in the morning to offend me. I'm still a New Yorker at heart.
In regards to JB, I had not discussed details with him about timeframes, etc. I always appreciate when someone gives advice that is contrary to their financial interests, as JB provided. As iim7V7IM7 suggested, I am not a client of JB (yet) and would not feel right about going to the front of the line. I'll feel as you did with Mr. D if and when I become a client.
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Right up there with the booty. Couldn't have said it better! Originally Posted by Joe DeNisco
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Vinny1K, have you had any experience w/C.B. Perkins?
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Yes they do excellent work plus they are a Heritage guitar dealer. Originally Posted by edh
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@vinny1k, not my experience at all.
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Three luthiers in the Bay area that you could try reaching out to that all make archtops are:
Mark Blanchard
Blanchard Guitars- Handmade Acoustic Guitars
Michael Lewis
Michael A Lewis - Guitars & Mandolins - Custom Made | Contact
Tom Ribbecke
Welcome to Ribbecke Guitars
Like John B. they all may be very busy with their own projects but you never know. They also might have some recommendations for someone reputable that does have the right skills and time to help you. Lastly, give Bruce Sexauer a call, particularly because he is in Petaluma.
Bruce Sexauer's thoughts on the world of guitarmaking
Bruce no longer sprays nitro (he uses oil varnish) or takes on many repairs but he knows everyone in the Bay area in lutherie. He might offer up some good suggestions after a direct examination of your guitar.
Good Luck...
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Mike Gutsch Guitars
Tom Ribbecke's righthand man, Mike Gutsch.
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