S65-D headstock overlay issue

drc

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Why do you guys/gals think this is happening?
8B3973ED-395D-48CA-A52A-3F3DBD9FA2DB.jpeg
 

SFIV1967

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There seems to be no overlay but simply black lacquer, the gold decal and clear top coats.
Those are not the or original tuners I'd guess and somebody enlarged the holes for new tuners and thereby braking the lacquer.

Ralf
 
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drc

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Thanks for the input Ralph. I don’t have the guitar in my possession, just photos. The tuners appear to be original, but have finish issues around them as well
F0C49F3F-0C23-4445-B16F-21F2EF0D6AF5.jpeg
 

SFIV1967

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Ah, o.k., that seems to be a newer S-65.
Depends if the body also has lacquer cracks, so maybe the guitar was in the cold and rapidely warmed up and those points under stress cracked. Really hard to tell. It looks like the tuner nuts were fixed with excessive force.
Ralf
 
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MacGuild

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For comparison, this is the head-stock back and front of my S-65D with original tuners.
I agree with @SFIV1967 's and @geoguy 's assessment.
Please post photos of the whole guitar when you get a chance!

(If any kindhearted guru feels like taking a stab at deciphering the serial below, please do; I've never been content with the date I currently have for her.)


S65D_Headstock_Back.jpg
S65D_Headstock_Front.jpg
 

GAD

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Over-tightened tuners is my guess.

Also since they’re likely not original perhaps the holes are too large causing tilt since the finish issues are in the direction of string induced stress.
 

GAD

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For comparison, this is the head-stock back and front of my S-65D with original tuners.
I agree with @Ralph's and @geoguy's assessment.
Please post photos of the whole guitar when you get a chance!

(If any kindhearted guru feels like taking a stab at deciphering the serial below, please do; I've never been content with the date I currently have for her.)


S65D_Headstock_Back.jpg
S65D_Headstock_Front.jpg
1980
 

davismanLV

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I'll just chime in here with agreement. My DV-72 has this problem. It actually has a headstock overlay, in layers as the headstock is not bound but with the bevel on the layers edge that make it "fancy". When I bought this guitar years ago, it had non-original tuners on it. Someone had switched out the Grovers for Waverly tuners. When I switched them back to Grovers I noticed this same problem around the two top tuners. The lacquer has cracked and chipped off. Not as noticeable as it is with the lighter wood underneath, but still there. And I also agree that it probably had to do with tuners being installed and over-tightened when the Waverly's were put on. This is what it looks like now.

Lacquer Chip.jpg
 

GAD

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Thanks everyone. So the tuners on the S65-D in question may not be original? Maybe?

I'd guess no, but I can't say for certain. The S60/60D/65D were kind of entry-level instruments and cheap tuners were part of the deal. They're likely vast improvements, though.

I have a review about 95% done on an S65D. I should get on that...
 

wileypickett

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I agree with the 'over-tightened tuner ferrules' assessment.

It can be repaired by relacquering the headstock (I'd use black lacquer first and then clear gloss to build up the surface); but you'll need to find a Guild decal when you're done. There's no easy way to fix the headstock and save the original decal.
 

7GuildsandanSG

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I agree with the 'over-tightened tuner ferrules' assessment.

It can be repaired by relacquering the headstock (I'd use black lacquer first and then clear gloss to build up the surface); but you'll need to find a Guild decal when you're done. There's no easy way to fix the headstock and save the original decal.
Is there a go to place to find replacement decals? I just had to glue part of one back on.
 

SFIV1967

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I agree with the 'over-tightened tuner ferrules' assessment.

It can be repaired by relacquering the headstock (I'd use black lacquer first and then clear gloss to build up the surface); but you'll need to find a Guild decal when you're done. There's no easy way to fix the headstock and save the original decal.
You don't need to relacquer the entire headstock, you "simply" do drop filling of the missing parts as lacquer melts in each other. Drop fill with black first and after many many days waiting drop fill clear lacquer. And wait again... And pray no polish with silicone was used so far.

See here: http://www.frets.com/FretsPages/Luthier/Technique/Finish/Lacquer/DropFill/dropfill.html


Is there a go to place to find replacement decals?
No, there is not. EDIT: Well, obviously there is, looking in the next message!

Ralf
 
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wileypickett

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That explanation sounds straightforward enough Ralf, but I've tried doing partial drop-fills on headstocks and it's tricky.

First, it can be hard to match the original color.

You'd think "black is black," to quote the song, but it's not; some black headstocks are a lighter shade of black than others. (Or possibly the original shade faded over time? Whatever it was, you could spot the difference in colors.)

I restored a Guild with a broken headstock. I tried to work around the original decal, but after not being able to match the new black with the old black, I ultimately decided to just spray the whole headstock black; then I put on a new decal; then I applied several layers of clear lacquer, then I fine sanded everything. Came out very clean and pro looking.

I've ordered Guild decals here:


Or, maybe check with Hans?
 
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