j45nick Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 I'm looking for someone good--really good--to do some restoration work on my 1948 J-45. Not talking major structural work, talking a new bridge, maybe some brace repairs and crack splices, proper set-up, etc. I wrote Marguerite at Fret Not, but she isn't taking in any outside work, and will only service local working musicians. I'm not keen on shipping my baby, even though I have shipped around some valuable vintage guitars. I live in southeast Florida, and am willing to drive up to 8 hours or so to someone good, which would mean as far as Atlanta or Charleston. I will ship if necessary if it's the right person. I want someone who knows vintage Gibsons, and who knows what they are doing. I've had this girl for 45 years, and she was damaged once in shipping 40 years ago, with near disastrous results. Cost is a secondary consideration at most. Quality work--and reliability-- trumps everything. Suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhanners623 Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 You could ship the guitar to Hoffman Guitars in Minneapolis, where I have all my work done. They do great work; in fact, I'm having one of the guys there build me a guitar. They are an authorized Gibson repair shop and Charlie and company are some of the best around. Their website: http://www.hoffmanguitars.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jannusguy2 Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 There's a great guy in Naples. Ross Teigan. He just did a neck reset on my Martin 0-16NY and re-glued the bridge on my 1953 Southern Jumbo. You can google him or PM me and I'll give you his info. The guy is FIRST RATE. I'm up in St. Pete and was glad to find someone nearby. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eltonwce Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 Try David Shepherd in Charleston SC. He worked on my guitars when he was in Greensboro, NC. Authorized Martin and Gibson repairman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoss Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 I would recommend that you get hold of a good vintage shop in your area and ask for recommendations. Out here in Seattle, I would contact Mark Tossman or Paul Stroh. These guys primarily do just vintage repairs. ( Mark built me a replica bridge for my '46 J45 from a beautiful piece of brazilian- spot on with an original.) I've had luthiers do repairs, but I'm always uneasy about using a luthier or general repair person. Vintage specialists deal regularly with issues that luthiers never, or rarely see. Good Luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted March 30, 2011 Author Share Posted March 30, 2011 I would recommend that you get hold of a good vintage shop in your area and ask for recommendations. Out here in Seattle, I would contact Mark Tossman or Paul Stroh. These guys primarily do just vintage repairs. ( Mark built me a replica bridge for my '46 J45 from a beautiful piece of brazilian- spot on with an original.) I've had luthiers do repairs, but I'm always uneasy about using a luthier or general repair person. Vintage specialists deal regularly with issues that luthiers never, or rarely see. Good Luck! I wish I lived someplace that had "vintage" dealers! Here on the southeast coast of Florida, there's not much that more than 20 years old--except the inhabitants. I've been reluctant to entrust my 60+-year-old baby to anyone since Gibson kindly almost turned it into a "new" J-45 in 1968, when all I wanted was a top re-glue and a new fretboard. Of course, in those days we didn't have vintage guitars: they were just old, beat-up guitars that we could afford! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uyasgali Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 I recommend Mark Simon at http://www.marksimonguitars.com/ He is in New Jersey but he is the absolute best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted March 31, 2011 Author Share Posted March 31, 2011 Thanks to all of you for your replies on this. It has been most useful. J45 Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfden1 Posted March 31, 2011 Share Posted March 31, 2011 Contact Dennis Berck in Eugene Oregon. He's a vintage Gibson expert and one of the very best in the country. Ship by USPS Overnight, insured, it will get to him the next day. If you can't find his contact info online, pm me and I'll send it to you. Dennis gets great vintage guitars shipped to him from all over the US and Europe, he's that good. He did a neck reset and refret,glued some braces, repaired the bridgeplate, and some other work, on my '49 SJ. You can't tell the neck had ever been off it. Truly outstanding. Not inexpensive though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluewyatt Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 Joe Glaser in Nashville. Google him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Marsh Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 You might consider Robert Rigaud in Greensboro, NC - Before concentrating on building his own designs he was a Level A Gibson authorized repair person. He is now accepting repairs/restorations on vintage instruments and can, without doubt serve any need your J-45 might have. You can contact him at info@rgmusic.com. Hope you find the right person for your trasured instrument! Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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