New Old Guitar Day

Taylor Martin Guild

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I took my D-55 to my local guitar tech about m8 months ago to have some work done to the top of the guitar.
I had used a John Pearse Arm Rest on it and after a few years, I decided to remove the rest because it was causing my arm and shoulder
to hurt.
After several months of frustration with the way the repair was going, I finally told the tech to give me back my guitar.
I picked it up today and am very disappointed with his work.
It is almost the same as when I dropped it off.
Now I don't know what to do about getting the finish looking right again.
Any suggestions?

PS, I had forgotten just how wonderful this guitar sounds.
Put on a new set of PB med strings and WOW!
I was think about selling the guitar but with the finish blemish it will not be worth as much as it should.
I think I will just keep it for now and enjoy how good it sounds.
 

davismanLV

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Hey TMG do you have any photos of the finish trouble? It may be really difficult to fix but maybe not. Also, you could send photos of the trouble to Tom Jacobs (Fixit). He's clear across the country but when I banged my D65S up, I knew he was the only one I trusted, and that faith was not misplaced!! Just something to think about.....
 

Taylor Martin Guild

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I have tried to get pictures but my phone camera doesn't do a very good job.
The problem is where the new finish meets the old finish. The two do not blend together.
There are also several very small dots where the new finish didn't adhere to the guitar.
It's like you hear about when the guitar had silicone polish on it.
I have never used any type of silicone on my guitars.
 

Westerly Wood

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I took my D-55 to my local guitar tech about m8 months ago to have some work done to the top of the guitar.
I had used a John Pearse Arm Rest on it and after a few years, I decided to remove the rest because it was causing my arm and shoulder
to hurt.
After several months of frustration with the way the repair was going, I finally told the tech to give me back my guitar.
I picked it up today and am very disappointed with his work.
It is almost the same as when I dropped it off.
Now I don't know what to do about getting the finish looking right again.
Any suggestions?

PS, I had forgotten just how wonderful this guitar sounds.
Put on a new set of PB med strings and WOW!
I was think about selling the guitar but with the finish blemish it will not be worth as much as it should.
I think I will just keep it for now and enjoy how good it sounds.

sorry to hear about the lame technical service TMG...

i had to chuckle at the irony of this right here: "
I had used a John Pearse Arm Rest on it and after a few years, I decided to remove the rest because it was causing my arm and shoulder
to hurt."

i am NOT chuckling at the shoulder or arm pain, believe me, I know the shoulder pain issue and how that can choke our affinity for dreads. it's just the humor of the arm rest actually causing pain, as it's designed to....oh never mind, i just found that funny....sorry.

glad the D55 still sound amazing regardless of the lack of repair prowess.

also, do you think you could live with the blemish? it sounds like your 55 does not need anything but to be played...:)
 

chazmo

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Live and learn, TMG. Sorry about the resulting blemish(es) from the adhesive. Finish repairs are not always easy to get perfect, but I'm sorry yours is less than satisfactory. Having said that, and imagining the blem you're describing, I would not recommend a refin unless you really think that'll rekindle your love for the guitar. It's pretty much as Woody put it -- live with the blem or sell it. Based on how you described things, I hope you choose to keep it!
 

Taylor Martin Guild

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I played my D-55 again last night and I must say that it is the best sounding guitar that I have.
I will most likely live with the blemish and just enjoy the guitar.
My guitar playing days may be getting numbered with all the pain that playing is now causing me.
I have too many nice guitars that will not be getting a lot of play time.
Some should go to new homes where they will be played and appreciated.
The big problem is which guitars to let go.
 

Westerly Wood

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I played my D-55 again last night and I must say that it is the best sounding guitar that I have.
I will most likely live with the blemish and just enjoy the guitar.
My guitar playing days may be getting numbered with all the pain that playing is now causing me.
I have too many nice guitars that will not be getting a lot of play time.
Some should go to new homes where they will be played and appreciated.
The big problem is which guitars to let go.

TMG, the F30R I recently bought from Bonneville really helped my right shoulder pain. When it gets bad, I just play that, so I can keep playing, save the dreads for days when I am not in pain. Not sure if you got an F30 lying around house...
 

chazmo

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Interesting but I'd never stick anything to the front (or side or back) of my guitar!! YIKES!!!
Well, if ever there was a good reason to do that, it'd be to apply something like the armrest that TMG had. Anyway, regarding the pick puck, take a look at this, Tom: https://www.thaliacapos.com/blogs/design-notes/pick-puck-testing-on-various-guitar-finishes Not suggesting you go do this, but it's nice to see him backing this up. I'd like to see the results of someone putting this on for a year and then taking it off.
 

davismanLV

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Well, if ever there was a good reason to do that, it'd be to apply something like the armrest that TMG had. Anyway, regarding the pick puck, take a look at this, Tom: https://www.thaliacapos.com/blogs/design-notes/pick-puck-testing-on-various-guitar-finishes Not suggesting you go do this, but it's nice to see him backing this up. I'd like to see the results of someone putting this on for a year and then taking it off.
Thanks for the video. Does make me wonder what the "little suction cups" are made of, you know? So putting on and off many times is okay it seems. What about leaving it on for a long time? Wonder if it would react to the finish? I guess time will tell that story, but thanks for the info and the vid. Way better than adhesive for sure!! (y)
 

Taylor Martin Guild

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I had a Yamaha L series guitar with a lacquer finish that reacted to the rubber back of a Kyser Capo.
The color of the lacquer went dark where the rubber contacted the headstock.
I didn't leave the capo on the guitar except when playing it.
It took a year or so for the color do go dark.
It happened so slow that I didn't even notice it until it was too late.

So I have now had two guitars receive damage due to chemical reactions.
Moral of the story,
Be very cautious with what you use on a lacquer finished guitar.
 
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