This guitar was brought to me by a client who was interested in having it “fixed…” Problem is and was that it was build by a cabinet maker 62 years ago and the glue used was not hide glue and does not seem to soften or release with moisture or heat… Although what this guitar really needs to be preserved is to be completely disassembled and then reassembled with a proper glue since the remaining glue joints are failing too that would be price prohibitive for my client.
Although the guitar is now going to be preserved as is with the addition of a case and case humidifier this one will have to wait until someone has the time and inclination to take this on. I shot some pics of this guitar because it is very well built considering and has many notable features. You can also see the heavy Gibson influence with the bridge shape.
The guitar is maple and BRW and yes that is BRW inlaid into the top and every other part of the guitar.
Surprisingly the tuners are in good shape and the buttons are showing no signs of cracking or falling apart.
Note the BRW center strip on the three piece neck, makes me long for the days when BRW was available and plentiful….
The other half of the back was in their car and you can see how an inlaid BRW back strip was thought to be sufficient to hold the two halves of the back plate together….not….
The bracing is amazing and although probably way over braced note the brace ends that are carved into internal kerfed linings as one piece and then glued to the rim.
There is a fascinating story with this guitar too of a long lost love but that’s yet another story for yet another day.
