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Looking to have a refret and binding restored on a Sw 16. The butcher job in the pictures is inexcusable but believe it or not it still plays OK. Im in central coast of calif and happy to ship or can travel to SF, LA or the valley. I had contacted Gary Hines who I had hoped to do the work but it seems he is not available at the moment. Not in a big hurry but would like to get in line with somebody now, all suggestions appreciated. There are a few other concerns and looking for advice so hoping for a luthier with resoration background. Thanks in advance.
Rick
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07-20-2023 03:27 PM
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I would possibly use Gryphon in the Bay area they certainly have Frank Ford the expert although I doubt he does much anymore he is getting way up there in age. You might also reach out to Rich Seversen and see who he recommends as he knows everyone and is in you area. I assume you want the binding replaced on the outside last piece? you might see if luthier Megan Wells would do the work I think she is very knowledgeable and good from all reports.
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It's really a shame to see a butcher job like that. I wonder if the person who did it had even heard of fret nippers. Back in the day, before fancy fret nippers, we refretted Dickie Betts' old goldtop and had to grind and file every single fret to fit - that's just the way it was done for a good job back then. You'd think with Stew Mac and all their fancy new tools, there'd be no excuse for this. Good luck! I'd also say Frank Ford or someone he'd recommend. I think you said it was a Sweet 16? Maybe the factory would take it on; I fixed a headstock break on a Super Eagle a few years ago and they were real helpful when I had questions.
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I would first sue the asshole who did that.
Sf guitarworks does very very good fretwork. They’re the only shop I trust around here to refret my vintage axes.
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Thats only the tip of the iceberg, Ill share more when I can stomach the pictures
Originally Posted by omphalopsychos
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Wow. I didn't know Stevie Wonder was moonlighting doing luthier work. You could almost squeeze a low B on there.....
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FWIW average bay area "luthiers" are also clueless and shameless hacks. SF guitarworks and gryphon are not only the best in the area: they are they only i would even consider recommending for something like this.
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Reptile dentistry to the nth degree!
You'd see me on the evening news If I saw my guitar looking like that.
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How do you get in touch with Rich? I cant find an email Originally Posted by deacon Mark
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I'd reach out to Tommy Davy at Django Guitars (djangoguitars.com) and see who he would recommend if not himself. He's been trusted with some of the most rare and valuable vintage Selmers and Busatos, and has a great network of people where he can direct you.
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I figured it out........I am ludite of the century, I can barley operate a toaster Originally Posted by Rickco
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Talked with Tommy, super great guy and really informative. We had a long chat and although he wont be performing the work we look forward to meeting him when we travel down for the Pageant of the masters. Ive contacted SF guitar works and am hoping to have them do the work so i can just drop it off and not have to ship it. Thanks for the tips. Originally Posted by JSanta
Rick
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Since the binding is shot, just replace it and then you can have the frets cut like original. That is what I did on this vintage Les Paul Custom I restored which now has jumbo frets and original looking binding.
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Nice job, the irony for me is Im a retired cabinetmaker but Ive never worked on a guitar and with old shakey hands and poor eyesite I dont trust myself to operate on this special instrument, but in my day.....(the older i get the better i was) Originally Posted by icr
Since the binding is shot, just replace it and then you can have the frets cut like original. That is what I did on this vintage Les Paul Custom I restored which now has jumbo frets and original looking binding.
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Hi,
A gentleman by the name of Tommy Doyle did the frets on my dads 175 and my 1st GB10. I reached out to him to tell him I thought he did an extraordinary job, especially with the binding nibs. He told me it was actually very easy to simply replace the bindings during the fret Job and he'd rather do it that way. To a pro, its not a big deal. Tom was one of the nicest most gracious Guitar people Ive ever talked to. An absolute gentleman. He is retired now.
Its a shame most of the old timers have hung up there files, so to speak. Some were magicians at there craft.
Hopefully the new Luthiers are just as good. And hopefully a skill that WAS NOT carried over was how they would keep your guitar for 6 months to do a 2 day job..
JD
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If only! I contacted Rich's guy who never returned my call, Gary H hasnt returned any text calls or emails (i know he has some personal distractions) I tried Pm ing Marty never heard back, still waiting to hear from SF guitar emailed last week. Tommy at Django was great and informative but declined the work. A local guy quoted $1000. I have no idea if thats par or what. The guitar was originally a floater "converted" to a mounted p.u. Id just like someone to look at the work, Plays and sounds fine but would like that checked out. This was a very special '90 one off set up originally by Ren and he remembered the guitar when I spoke with him a few weeks ago. Im in CA. but I dont mind shipping. Really could use some help here...
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I have been very disappointed by the luthier work that I have hired out here in the Bay Area over the last 20 years. Gryphon has a good rep and would be worth a try. SF Guitar works has an uneven rep, but some have had good experiences. Schoenberg guitars in Marin would be another good choice perhaps. Any work you get will not be cheap, but nothing around here is. It may actually be cheaper to pay shipping both ways and get a great luthier whose expenses are not Bay Area expenses. Originally Posted by Rickco
Good luck and if you find a good luthier locally, let us know.
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Have you contact Teg Megas in Oregon or Tom Ribbekke? They might do it and maybe not be any more than anyone else? My guess is there might be someone in the Reno area. Can you send me a picture of the whole guitar and neck? I like to see the extent of the situation and what is the guitar worth?
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The problem is the expectations of the customer. Honestly some players are very hard to please. They can get wild about things I would never even consider a problem. Many players get used a a certain set up on a guitar and then expect every guitar they play to be the equivalent. For instance our friend Vinny hates the bleed of the die from cases. Frankly for myself unless it was just a mess, I don't have a huge problem with some discoloration on the binding. On a new guitar sure, but one that has been used? I can live with some things. It is one thing to adjust and set up a Fender Strat of Tele but something entirely different with a 175 or L5. Not to mention Martins and archtops that do not have truss rods. Originally Posted by Max405
At Strat or Tele you need allen wretches and some measuring tools but it is really easy and workable comparted to dealing with acoustic. For instance my 1937 D'angelico has no truss rod. John used a rolled steel bar in the neck to keep the neck straight. This guitar neck never moves period. If you would need to dress the frets on it then you have to work with a neck that is not adjustable even like a Gibson 175 standard. The set up required to dress the frets in this case is not rocket beyond most but they have to really understand what is going on and how to approach the work. Not mention there are more than 1 ways of doing it. This is the case on all older Martin flattops.
Binding work is basically surgery in detail. You have to work slow and methodical. Any hurrying or not planning each mover is disaster waiting to happen. Once you master it as few have then you are basically like a well know surgeon and can demand some decent money. Materials have also gone way overboard and the last batch of binding I bought was horrible in cost. I can make someone fancy 7 layer D'angelico Pickguard but truthfully I don't to mess with if unless I get $400 or more dollars depending. Then you run the risk that possibly in a few years depending on environment the binding can shrink or charge. I will also admit in truth it is almost impossible to make one that is completely flawless. There will always be something that does not quite line up but only the builder knows. Mark C probably owns the QC record.
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Thanks for all the tips, Turns out Gary H will do the work (which is what I was hoping for) Thanks to Marty for the introduction and follow up. Heres a not so great shot of the git. I got it from Jay W knowing it had been molested but I must say even in its rough state it plays and sounds amazing and the headstock and 5 ply binding on the f holes were more than I could resist. I know Gary will get this baby back in respectfull shape for me and I already know its a lifetime keeper.
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