I have a 1957 Arisocrat that when first purchased several years ago, started me on a journey that may still not be completed.
Although in pretty rough shape when I bought it, I was able to get it playing after a few minor electronic repairs. After a short while, I noticed a rattle that after close inspection by a friend that was a trained luthier, turned out to be loose bracing. He also found a few other structural issues indicating some other repairs being necessary. During this inspection Robbie noticed an area of dark finish on the neck just below the headstock. We applied finish remover to reveal a very old but professional neck repair, parallel bracing having been routed and glued into the neck. Literally no evidence of the original break could be found.
It was at that time we decided to go ahead with a full repair and refinish.
Robbie started the job, and I paid for the tools and materials up front. I left it in his hands and drove home. Time passed. A year, then more. I called to find out he had moved. I easily tracked him down, in the Atlanta area.
To make a long story short, serious health issues began to take their toll on my friend and my project was on hold. Yet he eventually convinced me that he could finish it. He really wanted to complete this project.
Upon visiting Robbie, I saw that there was no way. He was simply too sick, on oxygen and could barely stand. The guitar looked great, with a full refret, new neck binding, and a replacement headstock facia that I had made in Russia, for this project. (Not the exact right insignia, but the original was already partially destroyed). I packed it up and told my friend I would find someone to complete it. With a promise to bring it back and we would play it together as we had many other past projects.
Robbie passed away before we could keep that date.
The shop that took the project put on a decent nitro finish, but they didn't apply the antique burst I asked for. They also finished the back and sides incorrectly, too dark with the wood grain obliterated from view. Seems there were internal conflicts in that business as well, so something got lost between my instructions and the completed project. Still, finally, two and a half years after beginning the project, I had my Arisocrat back.
It plays as beautifully as it did before the work. However.......I am not happy with the finish work.
I'm asking this group, whom would you choose to complete this project properly? It's almost perfect. And I do NOT want the neck repair hidden. It is what it is and I simply want it finished correctly.
So please, give me your recommendations.
Although in pretty rough shape when I bought it, I was able to get it playing after a few minor electronic repairs. After a short while, I noticed a rattle that after close inspection by a friend that was a trained luthier, turned out to be loose bracing. He also found a few other structural issues indicating some other repairs being necessary. During this inspection Robbie noticed an area of dark finish on the neck just below the headstock. We applied finish remover to reveal a very old but professional neck repair, parallel bracing having been routed and glued into the neck. Literally no evidence of the original break could be found.
It was at that time we decided to go ahead with a full repair and refinish.
Robbie started the job, and I paid for the tools and materials up front. I left it in his hands and drove home. Time passed. A year, then more. I called to find out he had moved. I easily tracked him down, in the Atlanta area.
To make a long story short, serious health issues began to take their toll on my friend and my project was on hold. Yet he eventually convinced me that he could finish it. He really wanted to complete this project.
Upon visiting Robbie, I saw that there was no way. He was simply too sick, on oxygen and could barely stand. The guitar looked great, with a full refret, new neck binding, and a replacement headstock facia that I had made in Russia, for this project. (Not the exact right insignia, but the original was already partially destroyed). I packed it up and told my friend I would find someone to complete it. With a promise to bring it back and we would play it together as we had many other past projects.
Robbie passed away before we could keep that date.
The shop that took the project put on a decent nitro finish, but they didn't apply the antique burst I asked for. They also finished the back and sides incorrectly, too dark with the wood grain obliterated from view. Seems there were internal conflicts in that business as well, so something got lost between my instructions and the completed project. Still, finally, two and a half years after beginning the project, I had my Arisocrat back.
It plays as beautifully as it did before the work. However.......I am not happy with the finish work.
I'm asking this group, whom would you choose to complete this project properly? It's almost perfect. And I do NOT want the neck repair hidden. It is what it is and I simply want it finished correctly.
So please, give me your recommendations.
