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 Post subject: Gallery of shame
PostPosted: Sun Nov 14, 2021 7:00 pm 
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Koa
Koa

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First name: Josh
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As a complement to our “Dumb things customers say”, I thought we could maybe have a thread for the dumb, ugly or just pain head-scratching things manufacturers do.

Here’s a one out of a LAG dread in for a bridge reglue. A jaunty angle for the cap on the x-brace:

Image

You gotta wonder how fast they’re slapping these things together.


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 Post subject: Re: Gallery of shame
PostPosted: Sun Nov 14, 2021 7:14 pm 
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Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2011 12:04 am
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First name: Chris
Last Name: Pile
City: Wichita
State: Kansas
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Focus: Repair
Status: Professional
I like all the loose cotton...

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 Post subject: Re: Gallery of shame
PostPosted: Sun Nov 14, 2021 7:45 pm 
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Cocobolo
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First name: Pierre
Last Name: Castonguay
City: Québec, Qc
Country: Canada
Focus: Repair
Status: Semi-pro
I could go in for quite some time about the 1966 Gibson LG-0 that's currently on my desk, but I suppose y’all already know all about this… ;-)


Pierre
Guitares Torvisse


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 Post subject: Re: Gallery of shame
PostPosted: Mon Nov 15, 2021 12:04 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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Joined: Thu Nov 04, 2010 1:46 pm
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First name: Freeman
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Here is an absolutely brand new Fender acoustic 12 string. It was hanging on the wall of my local music store when the bridge came off. Still has the protective sheet on the pick guard.

Attachment:
IMG_4533.JPG


The bridge had been glued directly to the catalyze poly finish. When asked about covering it under warranty Fender refused and said "thats the way we make them". I fixed it, the store sold it at a loss with full disclosure. Unfortunately I have had two other Fender bridge failures cross my bench.


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 Post subject: Re: Gallery of shame
PostPosted: Mon Nov 15, 2021 2:20 pm 
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First name: Chris
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Wow. I used to be an authorized Fender repair guy, and would have been pretty upset with a reply from them like that. Times have changed....

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 Post subject: Re: Gallery of shame
PostPosted: Mon Dec 06, 2021 10:02 pm 
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Koa
Koa

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First name: Josh
Focus: Build
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This isn’t shameful, just … curious?

A circa 2010s National El Trovador in for a setup.

There appears to be removed and plugged dot inlays at 15/17/19th frets. Bit of googling and this model indeed normally has no inlays above the 12th.

Factory must have been trying to use up boards from another model or something.

Apologies for the greasy appearance of the fb - I was midway through oiling it when I noticed the plugs. Since it’s ebony the plugs are essentially invisible unless there’s something greasy on there to show them up.

Image



These users thanked the author joshnothing for the post: Hesh (Tue Dec 07, 2021 2:48 am)
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 Post subject: Re: Gallery of shame
PostPosted: Tue Dec 07, 2021 11:49 am 
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Koa
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Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2016 8:54 am
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State: Texas
Country: United States
Focus: Repair
That's probably to hide the screw heads from where the board is attached to the body?



These users thanked the author DanKirkland for the post: joshnothing (Tue Dec 07, 2021 2:46 pm)
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 Post subject: Re: Gallery of shame
PostPosted: Tue Dec 07, 2021 2:46 pm 
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Koa
Koa

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First name: Josh
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DanKirkland wrote:
That's probably to hide the screw heads from where the board is attached to the body?

That’s interesting - I didn’t realise these were screwed on. I don’t see many resonators come through the shop so my experience is limited. The configuration and size of the plugs (double dot, single, double) as well as being at 15th, 17th, 19th etc just had me thinking “position markers” straight away. I have to pull the cone out today to mess with the pickup wiring so I’ll have a look on the inside.


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 Post subject: Re: Gallery of shame
PostPosted: Tue Dec 07, 2021 4:51 pm 
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Having worked on a couple resonator guitars, I can tell you it's screws underneath. Many makers just put pearl dots there.

I hate working on resonators about as much as I hate working on banjos. Compared to normal guitars, they are just plain weird.

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 Post subject: Re: Gallery of shame
PostPosted: Tue Dec 07, 2021 5:43 pm 
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Koa
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First name: Josh
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Makes sense, thanks Dan and Chris.

They're not my favourite patient either, it's a little tedious taking them apart to get the biscuit out, do some work, reassemble, restring, test, disassemble, tweak, reassemble etc.


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 Post subject: Gallery of shame
PostPosted: Tue Jul 05, 2022 6:40 pm 
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Koa
Koa

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First name: Josh
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There has been some talk in the past about how factories don’t do a great job of using all available gluing surface when they attach a bridge.

What about other glue joints on a guitar?

Here’s one courtesy of Martin & Co.

Image


Yes, the fretboard fell off on its own. I think there was a stiff breeze that day.



These users thanked the author joshnothing for the post: Hesh (Wed Jul 06, 2022 2:22 am)
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 Post subject: Re: Gallery of shame
PostPosted: Tue Jul 05, 2022 7:54 pm 
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Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2011 12:04 am
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First name: Chris
Last Name: Pile
City: Wichita
State: Kansas
Country: Good old US of A
Focus: Repair
Status: Professional
Someone did not make an effort...


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These users thanked the author Chris Pile for the post: joshnothing (Wed Jul 06, 2022 7:50 am)
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 Post subject: Re: Gallery of shame
PostPosted: Wed Jul 06, 2022 2:23 am 
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Old Growth Brazilian Rosewood
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That's a very low end Mexican Martin, not their best foot forward or how I would judge Martin's work.

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These users thanked the author Hesh for the post: joshnothing (Wed Jul 06, 2022 7:50 am)
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 Post subject: Gallery of shame
PostPosted: Wed Jul 06, 2022 4:57 am 
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Koa
Koa

Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2013 10:00 pm
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First name: Josh
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
It’s a low end one for sure but the soundhole label says “Made in USA” - I believe this one dates from the period that the HPL axes were made in Nazareth. So this one ain’t on Mexico :D

I think cost savings for budget models should come from cheaper materials, simplified bracing, omitting binding etc.

Assembly of critical components is not where they should be squeezing pennies. That said, this could just be one lazy guy with a bottle of titebond trying to get out the door quick on a Friday afternoon, rather than official procedure.

But still, it was built in their factory by their staff and they stuck their name on the headstock, so no pass for Martin from me on this one. :D


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 Post subject: Re: Gallery of shame
PostPosted: Wed Jul 06, 2022 8:36 am 
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Rebuilt a 70's Gretsch Country Gentleman. I took off the Back Pad that snaps on and found what appears to be the electronics access was cut with a Jig saw free hand . Apparently from the factory ? idunno
I was not Impressed
After working on this guitar I am not a fan of Gretsch Guitars .

Attachment:
gretsch 3.jpg


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 Post subject: Re: Gallery of shame
PostPosted: Wed Jul 06, 2022 10:39 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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Location: The Woodlands, Texas
First name: Barry
Last Name: Daniels
The inside of Gretschs were made a bit rough.



These users thanked the author Barry Daniels for the post: joshnothing (Thu Jul 07, 2022 2:43 am)
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