Ed Zeppeli

Thanks for the kind offer. I appreciate it. Good point about the back needing a finish. Over the years I've taken it in to a few guitar techs here on Vancouver Island. One made the pickguard for me and the other actually recommended a neck re-set. I do see that there is not much bridge height left and the action at the 12th may be a bit high but I'll have to measure it for spec. I just haven't got that far yet.

PS. That 3-4mm taper corresponds quite well with your first post which suggested a 1/8" taper.

Oh it definitely tapers. 17.5 mm down to 13.4 mm

For some reason my max photo size is 0.03 MB and I can't upload currently. Forum rules for newbies, I suppose. Will try again later.

Excellent. Thanks for the reply. I'll take a measurement of the headstock taper ASAP. Meanwhile, here are a few more photos. Tuners may not be original but I'm not sure when they put the square covers and a lubrication hole on them. Also, I don't believe the neck block is original. Possibly put in when the repair was done but I see no indications of a serial no. or factory marking on it.

Hi, I've had this guitar since I was about 17 in 1989. The damage was already done and repaired at that time so I don't really have an accurate history of the guitar. I've been told it's a 1954 but would like to confirm. I just read something about the headstock taper indicating an earlier vintage. I realize that the pickguard, possibly the machine heads and maybe the nut and bridge are not original. My main goal is to make this playable and enjoyable. There are no obvious rattles or weak spots on the soundboard. Most obvious first step would be to replace the frets but one luthier told me it may need a neck reset. Any insight and tips would be appreciated, especially regarding year and sources for fretwire. I can't find a serial number on it so am still unsure of exact date. Thanks for looking.