struma6 Posted July 16, 2012 Share Posted July 16, 2012 My brother has owned his J-45 for 30+ years. Bought in 1978 for $125. During that time he took absolutely horrible care of it. He played it in sub-zero gatherings in a barn, never ever cleans it, changes the strings every year or two and on and on. He's a great guy, a good player just never got into taking care of his guitar. He had to have all the bracing reglued in 1984 and in '08 had to have a bad split on the top cleated and filled. The "tech" did a crappy job IMO. Now he finally is wanting to get the thing back in shape with vows to take care of it...a vow I'll hold him to!! I know that some of you have sent your vintage stuff to Gibson to have it restored. I'd be interested in hearing whether you think this would be a good candidate for that. I plays like !@#$ now and needs some serious work. Would want them to tell us if the top needs to be replaced or if everything is repairable. Collector value on it isn't the priority, this is the only guitar he's owned for over 30 years and it won't be leaving his possession any time soon. He IS willing to spend some $$$ on having it done right. Here's some pix The back and sides are maple, spruce top. The neck is maple too, I'm fairly sure judging by the worn spot shown in the picture. Any advice from the experienced would be welcome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mojorule Posted July 16, 2012 Share Posted July 16, 2012 I have no experience of restoration, but as that's a genuine wartime banner J45 it must be worth repairing if it's not already become firewood. There I was thinking he'd bought it new in 1978. The round shoulders made me sit up, but the banner really altered my preconception. Had it been a Norlin, I'd have suggested cheap repairs, but this one should really be looked at properly. And never played in cold barns again. The real vintage heads can advise on what constitutes repair and what restoration - plus what will spoil its original status and collectability. Glad your bro wants to keep it and that he plays it, but he should at least find out about its value to collectors. Tuners not original, but not sure it matters. Maple b/s rare too. PM jt... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted July 16, 2012 Share Posted July 16, 2012 I would probably not send it back to Gibson for repair or restoration, although they might do a very nice job. Instead, I would seek out a vintage Gibson repair specialist. Pfox on this forum is one who does a superb job, but other people here may have other recommendations, depending on where the guitar is located. If possible, it is better to hand-deliver a guitar like this rather than shipping it, but that may not be practical. On a guitar of this vintage and type, you would never replace a major sound-producing component like the top unless it was totally beyond repair, which this one is not. You generally do not want to do any refinishing unless absolutely necessary, as a worn finish is part of the charm of a vintage guitar, not to mention an integral part of its provenance and value. You want to do any strututral repairs required to make the instrument playable, but no more than absolutely necessary. The terms "restore" and "banner Gibson" should probably never be used in the same sentence. "repair", yes: "restore", no. I would, however, get rid of those Grover tuners. There are high-quality repro tuners available for this guitar. The original tuner base pattern and fastening holes are probably still impressed into the back of the headstock, once you remove the Grovers. Your brother is lucky that he has a brother who cares about what appears to be a very nice banner Gibson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanCarlosVejar Posted July 16, 2012 Share Posted July 16, 2012 I would probably not send it back to Gibson for repair or restoration, although they might do a very nice job. Instead, I would seek out a vintage Gibson repair specialist. Pfox on this forum is one who does a superb job, but other people here may have other recommendations, depending on where the guitar is located. If possible, it is better to hand-deliver a guitar like this rather than shipping it, but that may not be practical. On a guitar of this vintage and type, you would never replace a major sound-producing component like the top unless it was totally beyond repair, which this one is not. You generally do not want to do any refinishing unless absolutely necessary, as a worn finish is part of the charm of a vintage guitar, not to mention an integral part of its provenance and value. You want to do any strututral repairs required to make the instrument playable, but no more than absolutely necessary. The terms "restore" and "banner Gibson" should probably never be used in the same sentence. "repair", yes: "restore", no. I would, however, get rid of those Grover tuners. There are high-quality repro tuners available for this guitar. The original tuner base pattern and fastening holes are probably still impressed into the back of the headstock, once you remove the Grovers. Your brother is lucky that he has a brother who cares about what appears to be a very nice banner Gibson. I was going to say the Grovers lok pretty bad on this one ! JC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
struma6 Posted July 16, 2012 Author Share Posted July 16, 2012 Thanks for the replies!! Yes, it's an original banner, not a repro. I can't give a serial number because the neck block has either been replaced or a piece laminated to the original neck block so the number is obscured. Not sure why somebody would do that. My bro has the original tuners, no surprise the buttons have crumbled off several of them. He had the Grovers put on shortly after he bought it. Keep in mind, when he bought it it was just a used guitar, that status has changed since! He's in Pennsylvania, I would be willing to drive it a distance to the right luthier. If you know good ones, shoot me an email with their info, I'd appreciate it!! I'm also making him buy a J-45 case. Yes, he has no case. Been kept in a gig bag for the last 2 years but before that...toted around in hand. I think, with the right work done on it, this would be a monster. I took him to Russo's Music in Asbury Park, NJ and he got a really nice larrivee for a great price so now he's ready to [part with the banner for as long as it takes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mojorule Posted July 16, 2012 Share Posted July 16, 2012 I was going to say the Grovers lok pretty bad on this one ! JC Yes. When I said they may not really matter, I meant to its original status. Looks-wise quite a different matter. Case a good idea, Strum. Impressed at how well it's stood up without though. A real advert for laminate b/s. One of the most valuable laminate guitars ever made though. Is it possible that the neck block thing has something to do with the use of maple lams btw? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tafmutt Posted July 16, 2012 Share Posted July 16, 2012 Only one thing that I take issue with: Now he finally is wanting to get the thing back in shape with vows to take care of it...a vow I'll hold him to!! I would count on your having to babysit this guitar. People who don't take proper care of their guitars don't suddenly change. Sorry to be so blunt - I've just seen too many fine guitars abused and it always irks me. MJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.