Guitar restoration..

thompsonian · Dec 17, 2008

After the passing of my grandfather this past spring, I've been giving serious thought to having a couple of my guitars restored. My grandfather gave me his Epiphone 12 string acoustic that needs some body repair done to it before I try to restring it, but that isn't the one I REALLY want fixed.

Before my uncle died, he gave me his 1969 Gretsch Chet Atkins Country Gentlemen 6122. Filtertron pickups, gold Bigsby tail, walnut finish. COULD be a beautiful guitar. Bad thing is, he tried to restore it himself and didn't do a good job. Gave it to me in pieces. I'm not even sure if it's salvagable, but would like to find someone in the know who could tell me. I can take pictures for anyone who might need them, drop me a line.

Thanks!

-Dave

Lee B. · Dec 17, 2008

Dave,

I've got a guy that might be able to help you. He's not in the restoration business but is a Gretsch nut. I don't know about nut...I just couldn't spell afficianado or conneseur or whatever.

Anyway, he is currently working with a publisher to get his book on G guitars finished and published. He is in the know adn has a lot of contacts and a lot of G. guitars and paraphanalia, too.

If you want I can send him your email addrss and you two can correspond on the matter. He is in KC but is from PA, has lived in GA so he has contacts in many locales.

Let me know if you want me to provide him your address. I won't do it w/o your permission.

Lee

thompsonian · Dec 17, 2008

Lee B. said:
Dave,I've got a guy that might be able to help you. He's not in the restoration business but is a Gretsch nut. I don't know about nut...I just couldn't spell afficianado or conneseur or whatever.

Anyway, he is currently working with a publisher to get his book on G guitars finished and published. He is in the know adn has a lot of contacts and a lot of G. guitars and paraphanalia, too.

If you want I can send him your email addrss and you two can correspond on the matter. He is in KC but is from PA, has lived in GA so he has contacts in many locales.

Let me know if you want me to provide him your address. I won't do it w/o your permission.

Lee

Sounds like he is someone I need to talk to! I got your PM and I'll send you my contact info.

Thanks!

El Toro · Dec 17, 2008

My first choice would be Mark Kaiser. He is the Luthier who owns Fret Repair in Franklin, OH. The last I knew, his contact info was

402 S Main St

Franklin, OH

45005

Phone: (937) 743-7991

Mark is an exceptionally talented luthier, and I would not hesitate to approach him with a project of this type. He could probably give you a good estimate if you sent him pictures. His work is world class, and he is honest and fair. I highly recommend him.

Another possibility would be to contact George Gruhn at https://www.gruhn.com/.

He could probably put you in touch with other qualified luthiers.

Another guy who knows arch tops is Bob Benedetto at https://benedetto-guitars.com/index.php. Benedetto may also offer some insight.

Last, here's a link to a list of luthiers around the world. You might find one close enough to you to take it in for a first hand examination.

https://www.cybozone.com/fg/luthiers.html

slapnpop · Dec 17, 2008

Franklin's kinda far. There are a few very good luthiers in NE TN and NW NC. If you can't find anyone local or closer to you than Nashville, let me know and I can put you in contact with a few.

And no offense to Gruhn, but talk about $$$! He's very spendy (and good).

If I were closer, I'd be happy to see what I could do for you.