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I damaged a guitar I'm working on
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Author:  Colin North [ Thu Dec 23, 2021 11:21 am ]
Post subject:  I damaged a guitar I'm working on

Unfortunately done by me - not a happy man!
Guitar was a badly misused Epiphone Texan in the last stages of repair for my friend, who was almost in tears when his guitar was handed back to him unplayable after an extended loan to a "friend".
It was his first real guitar when he started a band ~45 years ago.
Taking 2" low tack masking tape used for protection during the fret job off, I lifted the nitro finish, STILL attached to the top layer of the spruce laminate! - wow7-eyes oops_sign
Attachment:
1.jpg

Took rest of the day off to consider what to do - contemplated having an "accidental" fire/possible suicide/break-in and theft?
Decided to attempt repair, settled on fish glue to give plenty time to line everything up.
Used a piece of very low tack tape to stop and more lifting, slightly thinned (10%) fish glue brushed on, held down with a layer of parchment paper, a slice of car cleaning sponge to distribute pressure, a ply board and about 30 lbs of iron and lead to keep everything flat.
Attachment:
2.jpg

Left for 24hrs, and holding my breath, checked how it looked -
Attachment:
3.jpg

Pretty much everything held in place, Gluboost and the pickguard will finish of the rest, but I could have done without the hassle.
Just relieved I should be able to hand back a reasonably presentable and playable guitar to my friend.

Author:  Chris Pile [ Thu Dec 23, 2021 11:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: I damaged a guitar I'm working on

All part of making your bones in the repair biz. Well done.

We won't talk about some of my eff-ups.... some were spectacular!

Author:  Barry Daniels [ Thu Dec 23, 2021 11:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: I damaged a guitar I'm working on

That layer was already delaminated, you just uncovered it. And then repaired it for free. Your client should be happy with the work. Don't you love laminated guitars?

Author:  Colin North [ Thu Dec 23, 2021 12:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: I damaged a guitar I'm working on

Barry Daniels wrote:
...................Don't you love laminated guitars?

(Gritted teeth icon) - yes I just love them..... pfft gaah
Good thing the bridge is bolted on...

Author:  jfmckenna [ Thu Dec 23, 2021 6:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: I damaged a guitar I'm working on

Wow! Well in all fairness to you there was something wrong there anyway. Low tack, even regular tack, should never do that.

Author:  Hesh [ Fri Dec 24, 2021 3:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: I damaged a guitar I'm working on

Yep it was a basket case in the first place and all you are doing is uncovering what is already wrong with it. That ease of delamination and this thing has been seriously baked or dried out or both before and there is no telling how much else is on the cusp of letting loose.

Author:  Colin North [ Fri Dec 24, 2021 4:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: I damaged a guitar I'm working on

Looks like the original poly was aggressively sanded off because the top layer of spruce was so thin it was barely there.
Kind of suspicious about that, as the owner was "persuaded" to have top colored (opaquely) before the refinish and he didn't like it at all. Originally it was natural.
Sounds like something was being hidden by that color, possibly a sand through.

Author:  gxs [ Mon Dec 27, 2021 1:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: I damaged a guitar I'm working on

Barry Daniels wrote:
That layer was already delaminated, you just uncovered it. And then repaired it for free. Your client should be happy with the work. Don't you love laminated guitars?


I have taken to removing even low tack tape with naphtha. I've had this happen on older instruments before, and it is heartbreaking and a bit of work to repair. Nice job.

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