Restoration project. I disassembled then restored my 1950's Liberty Archtop Guitar

This is my E-Bay special, a 1950 something Liberty Arch Top treasure. I had never seen a guitar in such bad shape. It seems like she only weighted about ½ oz. Dry as Hell and warped like a camel's back. The strings had about 1 inch off the neck at the 5th fret. No truss rod or steel reinforced neck. All maple wood. Cracked and unplayable, truly wall hanger. She was in her case for over 40 years. Water damaged & full of funky green mold from the wiggly world! First, I needed to disassemble the guitar and install new linings for the top and back. Next I added binding on the body and neck. I sanded another fingerboard radius and installed new frets. I added a awesome double action truss rod (Hot-Rod) from Stew-Mac, and a set of Gibson's Ivory tuners, Next, I made a new bone nut. I set in position markers on the neck & Ivory fret markers in the fret-board. I was in no hurry and just took my time bringing her back from the dead. I used my Gris Gris Bag, a steamer, hide glue, JoJoba oil, Fret tools, tight bond, and a neck jig. Sadly this process took the entire Mojo out of the guitar...but I plan on getting it back (and then some) over time! I might add a pickup next, yes?This song 'Buzz Fledderjohn' is off Mr. John Hammond's awesome CD...Wicked Grin(a Tom Waits number)

Channel: Howto & Style
Uploaded: November 12, 2007 at 12:42 am
Author: bobdwilliams

Length: 04:20
Rating: 5.00
Views: 6774

Tags: ArchTop bobdwilliams Buzz Fledderjohn Guitar-Repair Hammond John Liberty Luthier Project Stew-Mac Tom Waits WorkShop

Video Comments

williestratton (August 7, 2008 at 1:14 am)

beautiful guitar, man

bobdwilliams (July 1, 2008 at 9:39 pm)

Thanks Mike

MikeyNL1038 (June 30, 2008 at 10:09 am)

GREAT!really good job on the restoration.it looks very good!nice to see an old guitar in good shape :)

bobdwilliams (June 9, 2008 at 9:23 pm)

Domo arrigato, wowzer!

wowzer088 (June 8, 2008 at 4:34 pm)

as Plasticsoul said, great to see someone restore a cool old guitar. well done, Sir 5*

bobdwilliams (May 31, 2008 at 11:59 pm)

thanks beachidiot the song is 'Buzz Fledderjohn' This tune is off the 'Wicked Grin' LP by the GREAT John Hammond...(it's a Tom Waits number)

beachidiot (May 31, 2008 at 5:04 pm)

What song is this ? Who is the artist singing & playing here ? What album is this off of ? Great song ! Neat ole guitar here too. Thanks

bobdwilliams (May 23, 2008 at 11:35 pm)

hey, thanks mackie!ummm I don't remember what I paid for this guitar but it wasn't much. I got a good deal and turned it into a GREAT deal!peace

mackie735 (May 22, 2008 at 8:58 pm)

wow that is really good work i coundnt belive the resultshow much did it cost you off of ebay?cya

bobdwilliams (March 21, 2008 at 4:08 pm)

different thing. The fingerboard floated over the body. I removed the fingerboard first with heat/steam/knife..the neck from the body (Needle works best) then used my removal tool evenly slid the neck off the body. Stewmac sells THE cool tool (I have one now) :~)

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Restoration project. I disassembled then restored my 1950's Liberty Archtop Guitar

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