Got My '77 D-50 Back from the Refin Shop...

[6L6]

I bought a wonderful '77 D-50NT about two years ago. Sounded & played great! Also in darn near "Like New" condition.

However, for whatever reason... the boys putting her together in Westerly were having a bit of an off day and used white filler on the back and sides. Frankly, it looked pretty awful. Knowing this guitar was a keeper, I decided to have the back and sides refinished.

I went to the guru himself, Frank Ford at Gryphon Stinged Instruments (Palo Alto, CA), and he directed me to Adam Stark in Santa Cruz for the work.

Adam's a very busy guy (currently building those "Buddy Holly" foundation guitars you've been reading about over in the Martin Forum) and it took about 6 months to get my guitar back.

But WOW!!!!!!!!!

The back and sides look absolutely incredible! Hard to believe it's the same rosewood!

Cost for the job was $500 and it was worth every penny. The fact I probably devalued the guitar by 50% is of zero concern to me since this one is a keeper.

I'm a very Happy dude!

6

'77 D-50
'74 D-40
'06 D-55
'06 F-412
'98 Collings D-1
'98 Martin D-45V
'09 Martin D-35 Custom
'03 Taylor 214

 

[cjd-player]

Congrats, but obviously we need before and after pictures.

 

[onewilyfool]

Great story......I've seen bad pore fills like that before, but not on a Guild??? Would love to see before and after pics if you have them.....congradulations

 

[6L6]

Congrats, but obviously we need before and after pictures.

Yeah, I know...

Unfortunately, I'm a computer dolt and haven't a clue about how to post pics.

Sorry 'bout that.

6

 

[chazmo]

6, congrats. Would love to see pictures of the transformation.

 

[2Tone]

6, you are in luck. Here is a link from the forum on how to post this pictures

http://letstalkguild.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5522

Thanks,

Tom

 

[6L6]

The nearest thing I can describe the work to is to visualize a high end Collings, Martin, Santa Cruz, etc., acoustic. My D-50 now sports the same sort of DEEP, dark luster found in those guitars. Simply gorgeous!

And, as Adam Stark told me was a possibility, the guitar sounds better to my ear. It's more vibrant and sustain is up for sure. Adam told me he would be using a thinner coat of lacquer than the factory did with these results being a possibility.

Since the top was perfect, it was left untouched.

6