John Brown

Replacing the Soundboard on a 1977 Martin D-35, PT. 2

September 5, 2012

After concluding that the damage was so severe that the top could not be restored without compromising the guitar’s sound—not to mention its looks—I began the process of outfitting this fine instrument with a replacement soundboard.

Replacing the Soundboard on a 1977 Martin D-35

August 10, 2012

John Brown

This 1977 D-35 arrived at our shop with a big hole in its Sitka spruce soundboard and a bag of miscellaneous broken braces and slivers of spruce top wood.

Gluing Braces Inside a 1967 B-45-12N

July 9, 2012

John Brown

1. Using tape to determine the size of the gap that needs to be glued. 2. Threading the stem of the trimmed pipette into the brace repair tool. 3.

Replacing Saddles on a 1971 Gibson SB 300 Bass

June 8, 2012

John Brown

The problem lay in the Multiplex adjustable bridge. The unit itself is made of metal, but the original saddles are made of nylon 6-6, a material used in bearings and gears due to its abrasion resistance and self-lubricating properties.

Reviving a 1965 Gibson Firebird

May 11, 2012

John Brown

This 1965 Gibson Firebird is a very rare bird indeed. For starters, it barely made it through a house fire.

Restoring a 1963 Gibson EB-OF Fuzztone Bass

April 6, 2012

John Brown

Gibson made the EB-OF with a doublecutaway slab mahogany body with rounded horns and a transparent cherry-red finish.

Resuscitating A Ruined '56 Fender Esquire

March 9, 2012

John Brown

1. To repair the hacked-up body of this ’56 Esquire, I cut replacement pieces from old ash and shaped them to graft back into the guitar. 2. Today’s commercial

Restoring a Prototype Gibson Cello Bass, Pt. 2

February 10, 2012

John Brown

Though the groundwork was laid by Gibson, I still faced many questions and had to work through a number of mechanical designs.

Restoring A Prototype Gibson Cello Bass

January 10, 2012

John Brown

The groundwork was laid by Gibson, but there are still many mechanical designs to work through and questions to answer about how the original builder intended to make it all come together.

Restoring the Neck on a 1965 Shoreline Gold Fender Strat

December 20, 2011

John Brown

You may recall that a previous owner had decided to install a Floyd Rose locking nut and tremolo. My job will be to replace missing wood, patch various holes, and re-install the original Fender trem, which fortunately stayed with the guitar.

Resurrecting A 1965 Shoreline Gold Fender Strat

November 15, 2011

John Brown

As I checked out this cool Strat, it became immediately clear why it was brought to us. Ouch! Someone had decided to rock out and install a Floyd Rose locking nut and tremolo.

Refretting a '72 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe

October 18, 2011

John Brown

If you’ve been reading this column recently, you’ll recall we’re in the middle of restoring a ’72 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe.

Restoring a ’72 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe

September 20, 2011

John Brown

This time around, we’ll begin restoring the guitar based on last month''s diagnoses.

Evaluating a '72 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe

August 16, 2011

John Brown

Every guitar that comes into our shop is first thoroughly examined using an assortment of tools and techniques.

Bridge Work on a ’74 Gibson Flattop

July 19, 2011

John Brown

I was concerned that the wafer-thin bridge would develop cracks between each bridge-pin hole—and also possibly bust out at the front.

Replacing the Bridge on a '74 Gibson Flattop

June 14, 2011

John Brown

As I was examining the guitar, my eyes were drawn to six black bridge pins protruding from its wafer-thin rosewood bridge and strings that were sloping over a rickety, bottomed-out plastic saddle.

Steaming out Dents in a ’71 Medallion Flying V

May 17, 2011

John Brown

When it comes to Gibson’s Flying V guitars, most V fanatics rank the Medallion model as one of the most desirable. In 1971, Gibson made a limited edition of

1920s Slingerland Maybell Banjo Uke

April 19, 2011

John Brown

A Maybell banjo uke in need of some work on the tension hoop.

Restoring an Original: Potentiometer Restoration, Pt. 2

March 15, 2011

John Brown

Last month, we started an unusual project—restoring a vintage IRC pot that had originally been installed on a stunning 1954 Gibson Les Paul. This pot had been replaced with a