show'n'tell - 1959 Guild X-175B Manhattan

[valcotone]

hi folks, Here's my recently acquired 1959 Guild X-175B with the original case. As you can see it's a real beauty of a guitar but it does need some work on the inlays and binding to make it gig-able.

I'm exploring the options now of how to fix the rear body binding and the option of removing, reapplying it, then filling in the gap with another piece seems to be the best option so far. That way most of the original binding stays intact. For the inlays they are shrunken and raising up so they just need to be replaced. I might opt for a refret at the same time.

Here she is...

 

[Default]

Binding and inlay issues or not, that's a stunning guitar!

 

[jp]

Uggh -- beautiful! That's definitely a keeper.

I'm exploring the options now of how to fix the rear body binding and the option of removing, reapplying it, then filling in the gap with another piece seems to be the best option so far.

VT,
For each curved bout, a skilled luthier may be able to apply heat to the binding and stretch it back into place. I had this done to an old T-100D I had. If it has stretched too far away, it can also be cut in the middle. Then the two ends are carefully heated, molded, and glued back into place. A small piece of binding can then be color-matched and relic'ed to fill in the empty spot. If done well it can be almost unnoticeable. The "heat and stretch" was done to the cutaway below.

Here's a close up of the repair on the bout with a small replaced piece.

I might opt for a refret at the same time.

Did your guitar have really shallow frets? I've heard this was very much in style in the 50s. Mine did, and I opted for the refret.

 

[walrus]

valcotone, that is a keeper for sure - as the owner of two blondes myself, I am partial to that finish. Yours is a beauty!

walrus

 

[Guilderagain]

Valcotone,

Here's a detailed step by step repair method from Frank Ford (Frets.com):

http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Luthier/Technique/Structural/ReglueBinding/regluebinding.html

Awesome X box man!

 

[valcotone]

hi guys, Thanks for the replies and feedback on the repair options.

Can you tell where the previous owner applied tape over the f-holes to reduce feedback? :roll:

jp, that's a wonderful looking T-100... I love those knobs. The repair looks pretty good. Yeah, the frets are pretty short and worn in places. I had my '60 CE-100DP refretted with 6105 frets and that turned out really well.

Guilderagain, that's a great link - I'll forward that to my repair guy!

So it seems the options are to either (1) cut and splice in a short piece right in the areas where it's pulling away - 3 places in this case, or (2) remove the entire binding and reapply then make up the difference on the end (which might look like just one repair but at the risk of removing all the binding). Additional thoughts?

 

[john_kidder]

Valcotone,

Here's a detailed step by step repair method from Frank Ford (Frets.com):

http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Luthier/Technique/Structural/ReglueBinding/regluebinding.html

What a great resource Frank Ford and Frets.com is for all of us, even those who just need to know what's possible so we can ask our luthiers about things with some semblance of intelligence.

 

[walrus]

Yes, frets.com is a great great site. Not only tremendously useful in understanding repair work, but I can look at the "Museum" pages all day...

walrus

 

[Walter Broes]

Congratulations, what a nice looking guitar! I have an X175 (in sunburst) that's twenty numbers away from your serial number. It has the exact same binding problems.

 

[valcotone]

Walter, Thank you. Do you have any plans to address your binding issues?

 

[Walter Broes]

Valcotone, plans....not any time real soon, I'm afraid. The neck binding on the guitar is OK, and I've had it refretted some years ago, so it "plays".
The previous owner "adressed" the binding issues somewhat with superglue, which would make the repair even more of a horrible job than usual, so I don't know.

I'll probably get if fixed some day, when/if I happen upon the right combination of cash, and someone who wants to tackle the job.

 

[Walter Broes]

Here's a clip of mine in action :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEpdE3saYjI

 

[danerectal]

Can you tell where the previous owner applied tape over the f-holes to reduce feedback? :roll:

I got a good chuckle over that one too. :mrgreen:

 

[valcotone]

Walter, you make that Guild X175 sing! I watched a few of your clips, really nice stuff I enjoyed them all!

 

[Walter Broes]

Thanks Valcotone, I appreciate it!

 

[valcotone]

hey Folks - I had a real breakthrough tonight. Using extremely careful application of heat (via hair dryer), I was able to stretch the binding in some strategic places where it had pulled away and it looks great, not perfect but MUCH better. I also removed the worst humped-up inlay, flattened it (again using heat), and reinstalled it.... good as new. On the Harmony forum we call this kamikaze luthiery, but I'm just really glad it worked out this well. Don't be afraid to attempt repair work, you'll be surprised what you can accomplish.

 

[billydlight]

I had inlays like that and they would roll up again after a while. I just ended redoing them.