That's why this one needs to stay here with one of the members. I already have a Mark V, so you're up TX!
Guild Mark VI Artist Special Restoration
- Thread starter dapmdave
- Start date
That's why this one needs to stay here with one of the members. I already have a Mark V, so you're up TX!
txbumper57
Enlightened Member
Yup, I don't own a Mark series Guild but have always wanted a Rosewood model. That or a 60's N20 Martin like Willie's was before the miles, LOL! The fact that this was from Mr. Greco's hands originally and that Mr. Jacobs hands have done such an Amazing job of getting her back up to playing spec makes me extremely interested. Who knows right? It is definitely on my Radar.
TX
TX
Not sure if there's actual pictures showing the joining process. Here's something maybe?
Thanks, Dave!!!!!!
Fixit
Member
When the joint, for the new piece of back happened, the braces were not on the back. I needed to trim a little of the original back to create a straight and square edge to join the new piece of BRW to. So that was done on a flat surface. The back braces were put back on later. The back has a radius to it and so do the braces. The braces were glued back on using a matching radius base plate, on a go-bar deck, to maintain the correct back radius. More pictures on the way when we get back to the shop Tue.
Fixit
Fixit
Does this help? It's all I got handy...
I finally found some plans/blueprints for a 1966 Ramirez 1a on the net and the pics of the interior top view of the Mark VI look very similar to the Ramirez blueprint plan. One interesting difference is that the Mark VI pic shows an extra brace on the top, in between where the neck meets the top and the long brace that runs near the neck-side of the sound hole.
It's a pretty big brace. In the Martin Guitar World, they colloquially call it the 'popsicle brace.' It's supposed to keep the top from cracking along the sides of the finger board and was introduced to the D-sized models in mid-1939. It serves a good purpose, but it also changes the sound. One of those trade-offs.
Here is a link to the Ramirez 1a blueprint:
https://www.amazon.com/Set-Classical-Guitar-Plans-Contreras/dp/B00PM2JAUW
Tom, I have a few questions for you. On my Ramirez 1a, the saddle was a straight drop on the sound-hole side and curved on the end block side. At one point, my luthier made a new saddle that was curved or rounded on both sides and the G string wouldn't stop buzzing! We went back to the original design and the buzzing stopped. It had something to do with the extra scale length. What is the saddle like on your guitar? Just wondering.
Finally, did you re-angle the Spanish heel neck? What is the string height at the 12th fret?
Thanks again. Great Work!
Harry/gilded
Here's a few more...
Binding was replaced and here's a shot of part of that process:
Bridge re-attached:
And a few final photos.
The guitar is SO reflective it's not easy to get a perfect picture. But look at the side!
Binding was replaced and here's a shot of part of that process:
Bridge re-attached:
And a few final photos.
The guitar is SO reflective it's not easy to get a perfect picture. But look at the side!
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That is drop-dead gorgeous. How does it sound?
Fixit
Member
We think it sounds great! Very good bass response and lots of those rosewood overtones. The action is good as well. We have had a few customers that have played it, along with one pro player from one of the Cruise Ships that home ports here in Port Canaveral. He actually had some good classical chops. Everyone that has played it has liked it so far. That back is so shiny that we have had a hard time photographing it and showing off the grain in the BRW. It looks even better in person.
Fixit
Fixit
Tom, is this one of the longer (26.25"?) scale Marks?
txbumper57
Enlightened Member
That is absolutely Gorgeous Tom! The quality of the work and the finish is just down right amazing even with the reflection in the photos. I wish so bad that I was in Florida right now so I could play it and bark at any other customers who tried to touch it, LOL!:dog:
TX
TX
Fixit
Member
Sandy,
That is correct, this one's scale length is 26.25"
Tom
That is correct, this one's scale length is 26.25"
Tom
Fixit
Member
TX
Thanks! Had a great time restoring her. Hey, Texas isn't that far, come on down.
Tom
Thanks! Had a great time restoring her. Hey, Texas isn't that far, come on down.
Tom
bluesypicky
Enlightened Member
Freakin' awesome dude!
Thanks for all the photos and narrative - this is a very interesting and informative thread, and the finished product is simply jaw-dropping!
To quote my first post in this thread, "Beautiful work!".
walrus
To quote my first post in this thread, "Beautiful work!".
walrus
bluesypicky
Enlightened Member
This is the sentiment I was trying to convey.
Fixit
Member
Thanks, good to hear from you Blusey, Hope you and the family have been good.
Fixit
Thanks Tom. I had to dig a bit to find this thread over at the Martin Forum, where Hans very eloquently describes the differences between the Mark VI, Mark VI Artist Special, and Mark VII. He even manages to get the eBay seller's panties in a wad over it, because the guy actually thought Hans didn't know what he was talking about! Well worth a bit of your time if you're so inclined.
ladytexan
Senior Member
Tom, what an amazing restoration! You brought such a damaged guitar back to life! As Sandy said, you're an artist! I would NEVER have guessed this little Mark VI would ever look or play good again....it was in such a bad, bad state. The new owner sure will have one 'special' classical guitar!
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Sorry to be late to this party but I'm thankful to those who sent me the link.
Beautiful job! Reminds my of my Mark VII that was, hands down, the finest classical guitar I ever played.
Beautiful job! Reminds my of my Mark VII that was, hands down, the finest classical guitar I ever played.