We recently had this guitar in the shop for a stainless steel fret job. It’s a real honor to work on these old guitars, especially one in as good shape as this was. We discovered after examination that the bridge plate was shot. It is owned by a professional keyboard player who played with John Michael Montgomery for a number of years. He plays guitar as well as the ivories and needed this guitar restored to playing condition for studio work. The frets were definitely shot and we replaced them with 6105 Stainless steel for better playing, long life and great tone. Then we replaced the bridge plate and oriented the grain of the replacement in the proper direction. That is important to minimize tear out from the ball ends. Many guitars are made with the plate grain in the wrong direction causing premature failure. This guitar will last another 59 years and someone else can put the next plate in it, if it ever needs one! Here area few pics from the refret and bridge plate replacement.
A valuable DeArmond pickup was in the guitar. It was an after-market installation.
A valuable DeArmond pickup was in the guitar. It was an after-market installation.
The pickup was removed and the controls reinstalled just to fill the remaining holes. The customer now has a valuable pickup in his collection.
The pickup was removed and the controls reinstalled just to fill the remaining holes. The customer now has a valuable pickup in his collection.
The original nut was cut incorrectly and the low e was too close to the edge.
The original nut was cut incorrectly and the low e was too close to the edge.
Because of the nut the low e traveled too close to the edge of of the neck for it's length.
Because of the nut the low e traveled too close to the edge of of the neck for it's length.
for 59 years old that's not bad.
for 59 years old that's not bad.
Removing frets
Removing frets
Filling the chipout
Filling the chipout
Sanding and re-radiusing the fretboard. It just needed a slight sanding
Sanding and re-radiusing the fretboard. It just needed a slight sanding
Installing Stainless steel frets
Installing Stainless steel frets
Ready for final leveling and crowning
Ready for final leveling and crowning
Bridge Plate breakout. Another year or two and the top would have been severely damaged. The timing of repair could not have been better.
Bridge Plate breakout. Another year or two and the top would have been severely damaged. The timing of repair could not have been better.
Gone but not forgotten.
Gone but not forgotten.
Heater used to heat the hide glue for removal.
Heater used to heat the hide glue for removal.
Temperature monitor. Can't get the top get too hot or the bridge could let go. We don't want that.
Temperature monitor. Can't get the top get too hot or the bridge could let go. We don't want that.
Heating and loosening.
Heating and loosening.
Popped out and here it is.
Popped out and here it is.
New plate with proper grain orientation.
New plate with proper grain orientation.
Using hide glue to install new plate. Must work fast as hide glue sets quick and it's a mess to do it twice.
Using hide glue to install new plate. Must work fast as hide glue sets quick and it's a mess to do it twice.
Looking very good.
Looking very good.
This is how it should be.
This is how it should be.
What a beautiful guitar.
What a beautiful guitar.
A busy shop that week and regretfully didn't take time for better pics. I'll remember this one a long time.
A busy shop that week and regretfully didn't take time for better pics. I'll remember this one a long time.