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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:



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

I like all the loose cotton...

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

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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Pierre Castonguay

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.



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.

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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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

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.

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.

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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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

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.

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.




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

Someone did not make an effort...

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

That's a very low end Mexican Martin, not their best foot forward or how I would judge Martin's work.

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

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.

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 ?
I was not Impressed
After working on this guitar I am not a fan of Gretsch Guitars .

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The inside of Gretschs were made a bit rough.