Machine Head Posted October 17, 2016 Share Posted October 17, 2016 I walked into a pawn shop the other day and the proprietor was rearranging the guitars on the wall. He said that he needed to make room for some more guitars and handed me this guitar and said, “Ten bucks and it’s yours”. At first I’m like, what cheap guitar is this guy handing me? Then I noticed it was a Gibson and I’m like what? It soon became apparent why he was parting with it so cheap. It’s a 1994 100th year anniversary edition. It appears to have been played very little as there is no wear on the frets or rosewood fingerboard. The neck is pushed into the body about a quarter inch. There are no signs as how it got smashed that way because there are no nicks or dings on any other part of the guitar except the neck binding. The bridge was pealing up and the top seam has separated. The finish has spider cracks all over. It looks like it was stuck up in the attic or better yet, out in the tool shed for 22 years. Although the neck is straight. *After further inspection I have determined that the reason for the pushed in neck is because it was under constant string tension for many years after the damage. It probably got stepped on. It needs a new top so I’m going to pull the neck and get started on it. I really hate to do it but I’m also going to strip and refinish it. I have some instrument repair experience. I built a balalaika once. I also repair the violins for the local middle school when the kids break the necks off. I have not stripped a guitar before. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I figured I would sign up to this forum and share the experience. I’ll post the progress here with pictures. Cheers! Good thing I had ten bucks on me at the time! Please don't use "Reply" or "MultiQuote". Scroll to bottom and hit "ADD REPLY" so all the pictures don't double up. Thank you! 1994 Blues King Electro essentially a J-185 I think the old logo was used on this model between 1994 & 1996 The neck has been pushed into the body. I wonder if the block is damaged. Looks like the Sahara Desert Maple back and sides V-Shaped neck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machine Head Posted October 18, 2016 Author Share Posted October 18, 2016 Heat is my friend I'm replacing the top as well as the binding on the neck so I'm not worried about damage. A hot knife melts through the glue. Making of the "Decapitator" (Neck pulling jig) Spool Clamps...very 'BIG' Spool Clamps! Ready to be decapitated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dReit1 Posted October 18, 2016 Share Posted October 18, 2016 Great score! And an interesting repair project. Thanks for posting. please keep us updated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tranhdaquy Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 Great ambition Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machine Head Posted October 26, 2016 Author Share Posted October 26, 2016 First thing was to find a needle for injecting steam. Smallest end of a telescoping antenna is to big. 16 gauge X 1 1/2" horse needle was to short. 3 1/2" X 16 gauge ink injection needle is just right. Although the paint sprayer steamer worked good I settled on the espresso machine on a ladder approach. Patience...Patience...Puff...Puff...Patience... The steam softened the fingerboard so I immediately clamped the neck to a straight edge so it doesn't twist or warp. Paper shims were discovered. I wonder if that is proper. Maybe go ask B.M. Please don't use "Reply" or "MultiQuote". Scroll to bottom and hit "ADD REPLY" so all the pictures don't double up. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliasphobias Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 A nice little project there. Patience is the key eh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machine Head Posted October 30, 2016 Author Share Posted October 30, 2016 A nice little project there. Patience is the key eh? Patience and a little help from my friends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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