Thanks Steve. It is mostly fun, and some science part science project. Based on the origin of the holes I'll probably paint the fills to look like Swiss cheese.
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| Author: | gxs [ Thu Sep 10, 2015 12:39 am ] |
| Post subject: | '50s Regal Resonator repair |
I friend I had done some work for in the past knows I enjoy projects normally relegated to St. Jude. He sent me a 1950's Regal / National resonator. It had been stored in an attic for many years outside the case. The fingerboard has disintegrated, and it has a few side cracks, which I filled. It looks to be Mahogany veneer over plywood. It has two violin style f-holes with darts mid way up the f-hole. I noticed that both f-holes had the dart pointing towards the top upper bout chipped into a semi-circle. I assumed, that someone over the years had dropped something important in the f-hole, and chipped both out, trying to get the important object out. I was wrong. When I took the cone out I noticed the body was stuffed with insulation (I am hoping it was glass not asbestos), which seemed odd, until I noticed the little rodent pellets. It appears this resonator has done double duty over the years as a mouse condo. I gloved up and disinfected the inside and got back to work. It is a long story, but a cute on, and a first for me. So, I used a half round file to make the gnawed out areas into semicircle in the f-hole, made a biscuit covered with similarly grained veneer, glued it in place, re-carved the darts, and stained it. I think I can even the finish out, by light sanding the top and then doing a few coats of shellac. It looks okay, but if someone looks, they can see the semi-circles. I have been kicking a few ideas around, with the understanding that the effort will far exceed the value, although, what has more blues power than a mouse eaten '50s resonator. I was thinking about: 1.) painting faux cream binding on the f-holes like '50s to '70s Regal, Stella, and Harmony (It looked like milk paint to me). This would cover most of the repairs and would put a cream contrast to the dark stained mahogany top (the body has real cream binding), making the repair less visible - or - 2.) actually binding the f-holes, thereby replacing most of the repaired veneer - or - 3.) Putting MOP or Abalone around the f-holes - or - 4.)Putting MOP circles on the top around the area of the darts of each f-hole (bling) - or - 4.) Putting a fingerboard on it, stringing it and playing it 5.) Putting cheese and peanut butter in it, then put it in the attic and see if I can rent it out. I don't think there is a right answer, just a fun project to work on, on a slow day. Does anyone else have a suggestion for what to do? Regards, GS |
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| Author: | SteveSmith [ Thu Sep 10, 2015 3:56 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: '50s Regal Resonator repair |
If you're doing it for fun then consider making it playable and clean it up cosmetically enough to look decent. Save the heroic efforts for something that's worth it - unless you just want to do it. Good luck and enjoy. |
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| Author: | gxs [ Fri Sep 11, 2015 10:34 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: '50s Regal Resonator repair |
Thanks Steve. It is mostly fun, and some science part science project. Based on the origin of the holes I'll probably paint the fills to look like Swiss cheese.
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| Author: | SteveSmith [ Sat Sep 12, 2015 11:14 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: '50s Regal Resonator repair |
gxs wrote: ... Based on the origin of the holes I'll probably paint the fills to look like Swiss cheese.  I should say that I've spent time and effort easily worth double the value of an old guitar to put it back together again. In this case it's a Gibson J45 that was so messed up it won't have any vintage value -but it is cool 
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| Author: | gxs [ Sat Sep 12, 2015 5:22 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: '50s Regal Resonator repair |
I totally get that. In your case you now have an old J45, pretty cool. I noticed that many resonators moved to metal screens over the sound holes vs. F-holes. The rodent problem may occur more frequently than I had imagined, mouse condo with a domed great room. Cheers, GS |
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| Author: | gxs [ Wed Nov 18, 2015 2:03 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: '50s Regal Resonator repair |
I ended up rounding out the bites, making mahogany plugs, staining them to match, and refinishing the top. A close inspection will reveal the repair, but not a casual eye. GS |
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| Author: | gxs [ Wed Nov 18, 2015 2:03 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: '50s Regal Resonator repair |
I ended up rounding out the bites, making mahogany plugs, staining them to match, and refinishing the top. A close inspection will reveal the repair, but not a casual eye. GS |
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| Author: | Hesh [ Wed Nov 18, 2015 8:13 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: '50s Regal Resonator repair |
Hey George some pics would go a long way in letting us see what you are doing and what you have to deal with. Pics please? |
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| Author: | gxs [ Thu Dec 10, 2015 11:32 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: '50s Regal Resonator repair - Some pics |
Here are some WIPs pictures, starting with how it came in the door. |
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| Author: | gxs [ Thu Dec 10, 2015 11:33 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: '50s Regal Resonator repair |
Oops, read from the bottom up. |
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| Author: | gxs [ Mon Jan 18, 2016 6:33 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: '50s Regal Resonator repair - Finished - Mostly . . . |
I tabled this one for a while, but got back to it over the holiday weekend. I'll need to buff it in a few weeks when the finish settles. But I strung it up and it is ready for action: |
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| Author: | Shaw [ Tue Jan 26, 2016 10:41 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: '50s Regal Resonator repair |
That mystery filler is a mouse nest. Sent from my HTC Desire 626s using Tapatalk |
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| Author: | gxs [ Wed Jan 27, 2016 3:50 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: '50s Regal Resonator repair |
Check, they left now. Too noisy in there these days. |
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