HeyMikey
Enlightened Member
NDG 1969/70 F312
I picked up this grail guitar a couple of months ago, luckily before I was laid off! It has a late 1969 Hobo label but according to Hans was completed in 1970 at Westerly. It needed work and has concerns but I worked out a fair price with the seller and immediately sent it off to Tom Jacobs.
Tom gave it complete re-fret, cut a new (1-13/16) bone nut and compensated saddle, fixed some loose bracing, let the top settle, filled in some finish cracks, removed the old bad pickup and installed a 12 string K&K. The bridge is thin (possibly sanded) and I was expecting replacement and a neck reset. Tom set it up with lights and tuned down two half steps to D, because 1) I like it there for vocals and 2) to lessen the tension on the neck. The top dip/bellying eased a bit and is at an acceptable level, the action is low and the neck angle good so, Tom suggested observing things for a while and not going further at this time. We also didn’t change the original tuners for now as they are working Ok for what they are.
I’m still not supposed to play for another couple weeks because of torn ligaments, but did play what I could for about 15 minutes last night. It plays like butter, really effortlessly, and the intonation is good now all the way up the neck. The sound is full and resonant. This is a great model and Tom really made this one come alive. Now I know what you F-312 guys have been talking about! Major “thank you” to Delyne and Tom who were so wonderful to work with.
Mikey likes it !!!
Now, what to do with my F112 Natalie?
I picked up this grail guitar a couple of months ago, luckily before I was laid off! It has a late 1969 Hobo label but according to Hans was completed in 1970 at Westerly. It needed work and has concerns but I worked out a fair price with the seller and immediately sent it off to Tom Jacobs.
Tom gave it complete re-fret, cut a new (1-13/16) bone nut and compensated saddle, fixed some loose bracing, let the top settle, filled in some finish cracks, removed the old bad pickup and installed a 12 string K&K. The bridge is thin (possibly sanded) and I was expecting replacement and a neck reset. Tom set it up with lights and tuned down two half steps to D, because 1) I like it there for vocals and 2) to lessen the tension on the neck. The top dip/bellying eased a bit and is at an acceptable level, the action is low and the neck angle good so, Tom suggested observing things for a while and not going further at this time. We also didn’t change the original tuners for now as they are working Ok for what they are.
I’m still not supposed to play for another couple weeks because of torn ligaments, but did play what I could for about 15 minutes last night. It plays like butter, really effortlessly, and the intonation is good now all the way up the neck. The sound is full and resonant. This is a great model and Tom really made this one come alive. Now I know what you F-312 guys have been talking about! Major “thank you” to Delyne and Tom who were so wonderful to work with.
Mikey likes it !!!
Now, what to do with my F112 Natalie?
