Comments on: Vintage Martin 518 Repair and Restoration http://www.chicagofretworks.com/2009/06/10/vintage-martin-518-repair-and-restoration/ Chicago guitar repair - Experience, Craftsmanship, Customer Service Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:48:13 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Steve http://www.chicagofretworks.com/2009/06/10/vintage-martin-518-repair-and-restoration/comment-page-1/#comment-208 Steve Mon, 11 Jan 2010 19:10:44 +0000 http://www.chicagofretworks.com/?p=171#comment-208 David, We did actually contact Martin and found that they are willing to sell some bar stock. Though their response was along the lines of 'Um, sure we could send you some, but why would you want to use that stuff?' Funny. Thanks for the additional source info. I'll look him up or let you know if we can't find him. David,
We did actually contact Martin and found that they are willing to sell some bar stock. Though their response was along the lines of ‘Um, sure we could send you some, but why would you want to use that stuff?’ Funny. Thanks for the additional source info. I’ll look him up or let you know if we can’t find him.

]]> By: David Ziegele http://www.chicagofretworks.com/2009/06/10/vintage-martin-518-repair-and-restoration/comment-page-1/#comment-207 David Ziegele Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:20:32 +0000 http://www.chicagofretworks.com/?p=171#comment-207 Nice work on the 5-18. FYI--you said in the piece that bar fret wire is no longer being made. It's true that Martin doesn't sell it anymore, but luthier T.J. Thompson of West Concord, MA now offers bar fret stock for sale in different widths. He found a manufacturer who could replicate Martin's original wire. Feel free to drop me an email if you want his contact info. David Nice work on the 5-18. FYI–you said in the piece that bar fret wire is no longer being made. It’s true that Martin doesn’t sell it anymore, but luthier T.J. Thompson of West Concord, MA now offers bar fret stock for sale in different widths. He found a manufacturer who could replicate Martin’s original wire.

Feel free to drop me an email if you want his contact info.

David

]]> By: Steve http://www.chicagofretworks.com/2009/06/10/vintage-martin-518-repair-and-restoration/comment-page-1/#comment-110 Steve Mon, 20 Jul 2009 21:16:41 +0000 http://www.chicagofretworks.com/?p=171#comment-110 Good questions John. We did raise the frets to try to get cleaner notes. In general, a neck reset almost always requires a refret as well. In this case, we didn't want to use modern fret wire. We did actually just find a source for bar fret wire that will need to be cut and shaped so conceivably we could refret your guitar using new bar frets. I'll email you with some additional estimates for the work you've requested. We can certainly deliver on all of those issues. Good questions John. We did raise the frets to try to get cleaner notes. In general, a neck reset almost always requires a refret as well. In this case, we didn’t want to use modern fret wire. We did actually just find a source for bar fret wire that will need to be cut and shaped so conceivably we could refret your guitar using new bar frets. I’ll email you with some additional estimates for the work you’ve requested. We can certainly deliver on all of those issues.

]]> By: John Evans http://www.chicagofretworks.com/2009/06/10/vintage-martin-518-repair-and-restoration/comment-page-1/#comment-109 John Evans Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:30:56 +0000 http://www.chicagofretworks.com/?p=171#comment-109 First question: did you make the bar frets in the Martin 518 repair taller just to make them easier to play cleanly. I have this problem on my 1890s 1-21. What would it cost to have these frets raised up. Gruhn did the refret on it. Second question: I have a 1927 Martin O-18 that needs (1) neckset (2) clean up original bar frets and reseat 2 of them that have shifted sideways - and make the frets taller? (3) new pirimid bridge, rebore pin holes or new bridgeplate (4) 3" back crack. Could you give me an estimate for these repairs and I'm really curious about having bar frets made taller. - John Evans First question: did you make the bar frets in the Martin 518 repair taller just to make them easier to play cleanly. I have this problem on my 1890s 1-21. What would it cost to have these frets raised up. Gruhn did the refret on it.
Second question: I have a 1927 Martin O-18 that needs (1) neckset (2) clean up original bar frets and reseat 2 of them that have shifted sideways – and make the frets taller? (3) new pirimid bridge, rebore pin holes or new bridgeplate (4) 3″ back crack. Could you give me an estimate for these repairs and I’m really curious about having bar frets made taller. – John Evans

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