'69 Custom F-512 Restoration

[Fixit]

Jacobs Custom Guitars recently began a major restoration on a really cool Custom F-512 from 1969. We thought it would be fun to document the project for LTGers viewing pleasure.

Starting with the guitar, stripped down and ready for surgery. No gown!

Here's the back, before any work...

Might need frets?

Bridge off, and a nice hunk of rosewood that will be used to make a new one...

First, remove frets in preparation for removing the neck:

Steaming off the neck:

Once the back was off, and the cleaning was done... loose braces!

And more loose braces...

Stay tuned for part two...

 

[wileypickett]

Thanks for posting this -- I love this kind of stuff!

I subscribe to the *Guild of American Lutherie* -- their "works in progress" pictorials are one of my favorite features of the magazine.

Looking forward to Part Two.

Glenn

 

[AcornHouse]

What's your technique for taking the back off? I've got to retop a D35 and would love some tips!

 

[bluesypicky]

Subscribing! :encouragement:

 

[idealassets]

Wow, is that back Brazilian? Will it get a new top? Keep the images coming.

Craig

 

[twocorgis]

Wow Tom, you don't mess around! Will be looking forward to your progress on this one.

 

[12 string]

Amazing stuff!!

 

[davismanLV]

Tom, thanks for doing this!! I'll be GLUED to this thread!! I love this stuff!! :encouragement:

 

[txbumper57]

This is Stu's (70man), :joyous: Look forward to seeing this progress, Amazing work so far.

 

[markus]

Great thread!
Markus :smile:

 

[classicrecordings]

Thank you for posting these photo's. I also will be "glued" to this thread.

 

[rampside]

Got my attention! Can't wait for more.

 

[chazmo]

Diamond in the rough. Tom, you're restoring some of Carlo Greco's best work. Bravo. Looking forward to more "resto-porn".

 

[mavuser]

Awesome thanks for sharing!

 

[Fixit]

What's your technique for taking the back off? I've got to retop a D35 and would love some tips!

Well the short answer is that I first remove the binding, being careful not to damage it so that it can be re-used. I then proceed with the back removal by using thin spatula like tools and a seam separation knife to separate the back from the kerffing. Sometimes heat is required to soften the glue. I heat the tools, not the guitar, so as not to damage the finish or the wood. I am sure that there is much information on the subject online. I would also check Steward McDonald's tech. tutorials.

 

[Fixit]

Wow, is that back Brazilian? Will it get a new top? Keep the images coming.

Craig

I am quite sure that the back and sides, although not highly figured, are Brazilian. There is not a a plan to replace the top. There are a few small, very repairable, cracks, but I do not believe that this guitars top warrants replacement.

 

[chazmo]

I wonder if the braces were poorly glued on to begin with, Tom. I guess it's more likely that this guitar was subjected to a lot of heat during its life and the braces came loose. I don't think I've ever seen that many braces loose before.

Are you going to steam them all off and reglue everything, or will you glue the loose spots and clamp? Just curious. I suppose that having the soundbox disassembled gives you a ton of options now.

Were you able to remove the binding without breaking it? That's amazing! I would've thought it had become brittle and inflexible over all this time. Wow.

 

[Fixit]

I wonder if the braces were poorly glued on to begin with, Tom. I guess it's more likely that this guitar was subjected to a lot of heat during its life and the braces came loose. I don't think I've ever seen that many braces loose before.

Are you going to steam them all off and reglue everything, or will you glue the loose spots and clamp? Just curious. I suppose that having the soundbox disassembled gives you a ton of options now.

Were you able to remove the binding without breaking it? That's amazing! I would've thought it had become brittle and inflexible over all this time. Wow.

The binding did come off just fine. Here's what it looks like at this point:

 

[chazmo]

Amazing! Thanks for sharing this restoration, Tom.

Best wishes from New England.

 

[Fixit]

'69 Custom F-512 Restoration Pt 2

The guitar has been completely taken apart, at this point. Here's some parts:

Cracked bridge plate will be replaced, of course...

Here's a close-up of the removed back of the guitar...

And...

The neck has been scraped and prepared for refinishing later.

Headstock being cleaned up and checking eliminated...

Now, to start to reglue the bracing. Here's the rig:

A little closer...