1994 Guild DV-52 Makeover

[Christopher Cozad]

Thanks to HeyMikey, I purchased this Guild 6 string from some lovely folks that operate Sussex County Music in New Jersey. They had highly discounted this instrument, realizing it needed repair.

I believe the music store honestly reported what they knew about the guitar. The bridge was securely glued down and the truss rod would need replacing. Photos revealed a missing heel cap and some binding shrinkage and separation. They priced the guitar accordingly, packed and shipped it right away, and even refunded me some of the shipping costs.

UPS did another excellent job, and the guitar arrived with no carrier-added damage. The original Guild case is in excellent shape (For me, the condition of an original case is often an indicator of the condition of the guitar stored inside. We are always hopeful that the instrument hasn't been beaten to death). Let's have a look...

 

[chazmo]

You got those bones for a steal, Chris. I really look forward to see what you make of this. I love this model!

 

[Christopher Cozad]

A quick look at the truss rod threads shows way too much rod projecting out of the neck, confirming what the seller had disclosed. The idea was to remove the fretboard, replace the truss rod, replace the fretboard, and refret the guitar.

 

[Christopher Cozad]

A quick glance at the neck heel confirmed the heel cap is missing, and the binding is shrinking., as was disclosed in the photos.

There is, however, a much more serious problem with the neck. First, the neck joint is loose. The neck can rock forward, pivoting at the fretboard. This would cause the action to be excessively high when the strings are tightened to pitch, which I confirmed by simply tightening the strings to pitch. LOL



I was hoping I could simply address the fretboard issue with the neck attached. But the loose neck joint requires the neck to be reset. Oh well, that's the way these things go.

But wait, it gets worse...

The side is split in two places, where it is actually separating from the neck block when the neck is flexed. This means that I cannot simply reset the neck. I have to address the loose sides, as well.

Remember what I was saying about the condition of the guitar case... This guitar has obviously suffered at least one traumatic injury. Now that I am thoroughly suspicious, let's keep looking...

 

[Christopher Cozad]

There is unusual finish checking on the soundboard that is not consistent with sudden temperature change. The finish has stress fractures that travel from the lower bout under the bridge and into the soundhole. Hmm...

 

[Christopher Cozad]

With all the my lutherie alarms going off at once, I look more closely at the finish, focusing on the binding... Can you see what I see?

 

[Christopher Cozad]

The finish is tinted. While that is not completely uncharacteristic for a Guild guitar, this particular tinting does not continue all the way around the entire perimeter of the binding. What does that indicate? It means there was a refinishing that occurred at some point. The detective in me asks, "Why?" I break out my endoscope to have a look inside, and guess what I discover?



See that "winding river" line? The side on this guitar was severely cracked! I must complement whoever did the repair, though. It is a first-rate job on the Rosewood. The rose tinting kind of gave it away.

 

[Christopher Cozad]

Well, that means this Guild is definitely going to get a "makeover."

While I am looking inside the guitar, here is the date stamped on the neck block:




I have a couple of other guitars in the queue ahead of this one, so the DV-52 is going back into its case for awhile.

 

[Westerly Wood]

That is some fine detective work, Christopher. And quite the find although a bummer re the neck joint being loose. From what I read above, that was not disclosed, but perhaps they would not have known?

 

[HeyMikey]

With all of those undisclosed issues does it make sense to return it, or at least notify the seller and see if there is a partial refund in order?

 

[Westerly Wood]

With all of those undisclosed issues does it make sense to return it, or at least notify the seller and see if there is a partial refund in order?

Well, I think Christopher wants to fix it, go for the achievement of putting it back together sound. From what I read, it's his passion.

 

[Christopher Cozad]

I believe it would have required more than a casual look to realize what is actually wrong with this guitar. I don’t fault the store for that. That said, had this instrument been purchased by a player who was expecting to invest a few hundred dollars more for a truss rod replacement, and they would thenn have a perfectly playable performer, I would imagine there would be a discussion regarding returning the guitar.

Happily for me, I now can say that I already know everything that is *wrong* with the guitar , and I know what I have to do to make it *right* again.

 

[Nuuska]

EDIT - Christopher already answered - so . . .

Waiting for future story of recovery of this fine guitar.

And w plenty of pictures, too - please.

 

[chazmo]

Glad you dug in, Chris. I still think it's a lovely box, but none of the impact checking was visible from the pictures originally. Yeah that baby took some hit(s). Maybe $600 wasn't such a great price, but it's your kind of project!

Anyway, it's going to need the full treatment, Chris.

 

[WaltW]

You are amazing Christopher! Your knowledge and attention to details that can only come from what damage looks like even when repaired speaks volumes to your focus. I wish you a successful application of your expertise.

 

[Christopher Cozad]

You are very kind, Walt. Hopefully I can get started on this guitar soon, and post photos of the adventure right here for all to see!