Official Luthiers Forum!

Owned and operated by Lance Kragenbrink
It is currently Fri Mar 29, 2024 7:40 am


All times are UTC - 5 hours


Forum rules


Be nice, no cussin and enjoy!




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 8 posts ] 
Author Message
PostPosted: Sat May 06, 2023 9:20 am 
Offline
Koa
Koa
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2013 7:33 am
Posts: 1831
First name: Willard
Last Name: Guthrie
City: Cumberland
State: Maryland 21502
Zip/Postal Code: 21502
Country: United State
Focus: Repair
Status: Semi-pro
I am always learning when in the shop, whether bailing out the boys on overdue repairs or my own efforts. As those that have reached adulthood should know, we tend to learn more from failure than from success, with last weekend and this one seemingly focused on the repair efforts of others. Given I am such a sharing sort of person, I thought I would detail a few of those lessons learned:

What a Relief!

I'd like to highlight the salubrious effect on repair shop bottom lines with a minor investment in truss rod wrenches. These supposedly simple miracles of modern technology are capable of addressing all manner of instrument woes, with modern luthiery training programs apparently focused nearly exclusively on the use of the tool for quick, profitable fixes and invisible repair of in-shop goofs. To mention just a few of the problems which someone handy with a truss-rod wrench may 'repair' in exchange for remuneration:

- A saddle trimmed too low (never by you; always by someone else) may have 15 to 20 thousandths or more of additional height added back with just a twist or three of the wrench

- That quick level/crown/polish that is turning into a marathon match of Marco Polo 'find the next loose or poorly leveled fret' (because that fret survey was perhaps a bit rushed) may be quickly terminated with some judicious use of the magical wrench.

- Setup dragging on? Friday afternoon and alcohol beckoning, as well as the sirens of your local dive bar singing your favorite song? Add some relief and call it done!

Are We Out of Bondo Again?

Another modern miracle of materials science! For any repair where the result will either be hidden under another component (e.g., bridge, fretboard extension, cheap vinyl black peel'n'stick pickguard) or may be safely buried under a few coats of opaque lacquer, Bondo is your time-saving buddy. Yes - it is the very devil to remove down the road, lacks any real tensile strength, and does a poor job of adhering to wood, but the time saved over scarfing in a grain-matched piece of timber or milling spline slots for a neck repair just emphasizes the unacceptable opportunity costs for those making far more money from YouTube repair videos than the actual repairs themselves. Just a few examples:

- Major missing material between tuner holes on a cracked headstock? Why ship it off to Ann Arbor when Bondo and a little black lacquer will do the trick?

- Had a bit more tear-out on that pickguard or bridge removal than expected ("This is hard sometimes, folks... probably why those Martin -authorized shops would not take the job.")? Apply a skim of Bondo, sand level, and glue it back up! Plenty of real wood still there to get it out the door.

Ouch! These Strings Sure Are Sharp!

Another modern technique apparently taught in major luthiery training programs is that a crisp, very sharp edge on the end of the fret encourages players to avoid improper left hand technique. Rather than pander to those that refuse to modify their playing style to avoid bloodshed during play by gently easing the fret ends and a nice polish, the current thinking is that time spent on the finer points of fretwork is once again time wasted. By way of example are the two refrets I had a chance to admire last weekend. Done by a recent graduate of a lengthy training program that shall remain nameless (but not initial-less... RVSL), these obviously hand-done refrets were marvelous examples of both economy of labor in preparation & execution, as well as a stark reminder of the need for Band-Aids in every musician's gigging kit.

OK... I am done venting. Back down to the shop for more fun stripping contact cement off the replacement mega-pickguard patch on my ongoing repair intervention. Pictures to follow once my blood pressure drops a bit.

_________________
We have become a civilization that elevates idiots, prostitutes, and clowns. Am I still to defend it? Yes, for its principles. Yes, for what it was. Yes, for what it still may be.

-Mark Helprin, The Oceans and the Stars: A Sea Story, A War Story, A Love Story (A Novel)



These users thanked the author Woodie G for the post (total 7): Durero (Sun May 07, 2023 5:13 pm) • Hesh (Sun May 07, 2023 6:28 am) • joshnothing (Sat May 06, 2023 3:39 pm) • Pat Foster (Sat May 06, 2023 11:20 am) • Cal Maier (Sat May 06, 2023 10:59 am) • rbuddy (Sat May 06, 2023 10:52 am) • Chris Pile (Sat May 06, 2023 9:39 am)
Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat May 06, 2023 10:19 am 
Offline
Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Sun Oct 09, 2016 12:18 pm
Posts: 383
Location: Somerset UK
State: West Somerset
Country: UK
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Woodie, not much fun for you but you have seriously brightened up my day! Bondo indeed - whatever that is!

Dave


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat May 06, 2023 10:35 am 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Tue May 13, 2008 10:44 am
Posts: 6232
Location: Virginia
Some months back I had an early Martin, 1860's, that someone (not the current owner) used JB-Weld to glue the bridge back down. Not only did they use it but must have gotten it on there finger tips and proceeded to touch the guitar in several random spots. But hey! The bridge did hold at least for a little while.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat May 06, 2023 12:37 pm 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Fri Dec 14, 2007 3:21 pm
Posts: 3291
Location: Alexandria MN
I hadn’t thought of using Bondo for those things. Thanks for the tip!

_________________
It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat May 06, 2023 2:47 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Wed Oct 08, 2008 11:36 am
Posts: 7241
Location: Southeast US
City: Lenoir City
State: TN
Zip/Postal Code: 37772
Country: US
Focus: Repair
Where's Padma when you need him laughing6-hehe

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat May 06, 2023 5:18 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member

Joined: Sun Jul 24, 2005 7:12 am
Posts: 679
Location: United States
Woodie, my last 5 gallon pail of Bondo is almost empty. Can you tell me who has the best price on it right now?:>)


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat May 06, 2023 11:58 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa

Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2013 10:00 pm
Posts: 980
First name: Josh
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Undoing poor prior work sucks, having to deal with a customer who is in a bad mood due to the malpractice of the last luthier sucks. Feel for ya Woodie!


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sun May 07, 2023 6:31 am 
Offline
Old Growth Brazilian Rosewood
Old Growth Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2007 9:49 am
Posts: 12973
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
First name: Hesh
Last Name: Breakstone
City: Ann Arbor
State: Michigan
Country: United States
Status: Professional
Bondo was something Padma advocated too :) I use it as well for cauls and such.

Sorry Woodie I can appreciate your pain. The biggest issue for me is sharp string ends and people who want to play Popeye the sailor with their excess string and can't remember to purchase a cutter at a hardware store.... I hate bleeding on people's instruments.... :)

_________________
Ann Arbor Guitars


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 8 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: DennisK and 53 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
phpBB customization services by 2by2host.com