SWD Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 Folks, I'd like your opinion on this. If you had an older guitar (not exactly worth a fortune) but it belonged to a you and a family member that you had gone partners with to purchase years ago(namely myself and my Father - passed on), would you spend the money to have it restored? The main issue is multiple back cracks, soundboard cracks and various other minor issues. Long story short Dad used it way more than I so I let him own it for many years. When he passed on, I got it back, and I can't see it wasting away in the case or as a wall-hanger. I'd like to give it back it's voice and play it some. It's a 1966-69 B-25 that has seen many a better day! Restoration may cost a few bills, but I think it's worth it even though my brothers and others say not to waste money on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyReb Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 I went through the same thing with my grandpas guitar. He bought it in 1937 and I ended up with it a few years ago. Crack across the back and high wire action. I decided it was more unique with the scars of time on it. Years of hanging in a old house with no electric and wood burning stove and 11 kids beating away on it at different times. I decided i would get it playable without fixing the battle scars. So now it's a wall hanger that will play if I need it too. So....if its possible to get it playable without doing a full restoration that's what I would do. Family battle scars are unique and tell a story. Of course if a new mint peice is what you desire then by all means restore it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 It's all a matter of how much it will cost to do the required work, how much you will play it after it is done, and how that expenditure might impact on other things in your budget. Only you can decide this one. One thing you always have to remember in repair or restoration work on vintage guitars is that the cost of repairs is totally unrelated to the value of the instrument. A properly-done crack repair costs the same on a $500 instrument as it does on a $5000 instrument. You are a rational guy, and understand that the primary value of this guitar is sentimental. What you are talking about here is not a practical decision, but a personal and emotional decision to maintain meaningful contact with an artifact closely tied to your father. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustystrings Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 By all means have it repaired and made structurally sound and playable, which is a very different thing from restoration, which can often mean refinishing, etc. Have it fixed, leave the cosmetics alone to attest to the guitar's history and play it, play it, play it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWD Posted January 2, 2013 Author Share Posted January 2, 2013 It's all a matter of how much it will cost to do the required work, how much you will play it after it is done, and how that expenditure might impact on other things in your budget. Only you can decide this one. One thing you always have to remember in repair or restoration work on vintage guitars is that the cost of repairs is totally unrelated to the value of the instrument. A properly-done crack repair costs the same on a $500 instrument as it does on a $5000 instrument. You are a rational guy, and understand that the primary value of this guitar is sentimental. What you are talking about here is not a practical decision, but a personal and emotional decision to maintain meaningful contact with an artifact closely tied to your father. I agree that it is a very sentimental decision. Is the guitar worth it - likely not. It's a shame to see it sit there tho. I'll have to think on it some more. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyReb Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 By all means have it repaired and made structurally sound and playable, which is a very different thing from restoration, which can often mean refinishing, etc. Have it fixed, leave the cosmetics alone to attest to the guitar's history and play it, play it, play it! ^^^^^^ what he said Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 I agree with others in that it would seem to be wise just to have the guitar repaired and not sweat the cosmetics (if there are any issues with them). Cracks are not a big deal to have fixed and not all that expensive to have taken care of (if they were I would be in the poor house). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merseybeat1963 Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 What you need is a reasonably priced repair man.. If your near NY City take it to Alex Ax 2nd Floor and ask for Pasqual. Say Nick & Gloria sent you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWD Posted January 3, 2013 Author Share Posted January 3, 2013 What you need is a reasonably priced repair man.. If your near NY City take it to Alex Ax 2nd Floor and ask for Pasqual. Say Nick & Gloria sent you. Thanks for the offer, but New Brunswick, Canada is a loooong drive to NYC I'm afraid. I have a really good luthier close by, so I'll go with him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 Thanks for the offer, but New Brunswick, Canada is a loooong drive to NYC I'm afraid. I have a really good luthier close by, so I'll go with him. I agree with everyone else. Make it playable and enjoy it. I'm currently doing that to an old Kay which was the first guitar my Mom bought me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWD Posted January 4, 2013 Author Share Posted January 4, 2013 Got an appointment to drop off my guitar at the Luthier tomorrow.....we will talk in length on the best route to follow. HE's good , so I'm getting excited! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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