1976 Guild D-40 Repair Thread

[Etienne Rambert]

I brought this back from Louisiana to have Mr. Binh repair it.

It wasn't nearly as big of a restoration project as my 1972 D-25

had been. (See the link in my sig.)

 

No big cracks or missing chunks of wood, but there was one nasty

gouge on it that apparently was very difficult to repair.

 

Here's a full view of what it looked like before the repair.

 

 

Notice the binding in the upper left. There was a nasty

indention in both the binding and the wood. It had taken

a pretty hard fall and apparently landed there.

 

Here's a closeup of the damage.

 

 

And another:

 

[Etienne Rambert]

I thought Mr. Binh could just replace the binding. Apparently, that's not the casee.

He said he would probably have to refinish the top if he replaced the binding, considering the nature of that bump.

 

I don't know. I didn't want to refinish the top though.

 

Here's a full view of it with my goofy girlfriend, after I got it repaired.

 

 

Here is a closeup of the repair.

 

 

And another:

 

[Etienne Rambert]

I'm not entirely happy. But I didn't want to refinish the top.

I did not think they could duplicate that finish in Vietnam.

Not only that, they could screw up the sound.

 

The dark spot is under the finish. Apparently it's filler that looks

a little darker than the surrounding wood. It's smooth to touch and

underneath the smooth finish. It's not really visible in person,

unless you stick your face down close to the spot.

 

I forgot to post a poll on this thread.

 

Could you have replaced that binding, sanded and filled without the

necessity of refinishing the top?

 

Let me know what you think.

[Samilyn]

 

I'm not entirely happy. But I didn't want to refinish the top. I did not think they could duplicate that finish in Vietnam. Not only that, they could screw up the sound. The dark spot is under the finish. Apparently it's filler that looks a little darker than the surrounding wood. It's smooth to touch and underneath the smooth finish. It's not really visible in person, unless you stick your face down close to the spot. I forgot to post a poll on this thread. Could you have replaced that binding, sanded and filled without the necessity of refinishing the top? Let me know what you think.

 

 

The most definitive answers will undoubtedly come from our uber experts, Bjorn and Freeman.

 

But my gut feeling is that the binding can't be replaced without refinishing the top and perhaps the sides as well. I really don't see how that could be done, but I'm not a luthier or expert wood finisher, either. If there is a way to blend the repair site to the existing finish so as to be cosmetically undetectable, it is undoubtedly a pretty exacting process requiring a great deal of expertise.

 

However, if the repair was good enough to stop any further separation at the ding site, I could live with the not-quite-perfect cosmetics. It's the structural integrity that counts.

 

As you say, it really isn't that noticeable. I have to look hard to find it in the pic where your girlfriend is holding it, so safe to say it's probably not very visible except under close scrutiny.

 

All in all, I'd say the dear old git now has some more mojo, and it's now caring hands. Lucky git. Play and enjoy.

[Etienne Rambert]

Nice to see you back Samilyn. I couldn't pass through this trip.

Flew into Houston, hung around a few days. Then I drove I-10/

I-12 to St. Tammany Parish. So no side-trips to Alex.

 

It sure was nice to be back though. Traffic wasn't bad either.

[Simon76]

The original ding was light colored.

It's a bit baffling why such a dark filler was used.

There are lots of filler choices in any US hardware store.

I try to match the filler color to the project, and error on the slightly lighter side. Repetitive minimal use of a stain can bring a light spot up to barely visible.

 

Was he upset you didn't want to do a full burst finish?

It looks like that was where he was going with it.

[Simon76]

Have you upset the five toed dragon lately?

[Samilyn]

Have you upset the five toed dragon lately?

 

Speaking of which.....

 

I got to play that dragon git.

[babablowfish]

Very pretty! And the guitar ain't bad looking either.

 

Seriously, I am with Sam on this one. If it sounds good then just consider this mojo.

[Etienne Rambert]

 

Originally Posted by Simon76 Have you upset the five toed dragon lately?

 

 

Actually, I had 1 toe removed from each foot, by inlay artists.

But I don't know, maybe the curse is continuing. I kept it in a case

seven months in Louisiana. Loosened the strings.

 

Loosening the strings might have been a mistake. I came back, put .12's on it. I got a little buzz on the first fret. I backed

off the truss rod. Action was too high. There's not enough room on the saddle to sand it down.

 

I took it to International Vintage Guitars in New Orleans. The owner liked

the guitar a lot. But he recommended a neck reset. ??? 2 years old and

a neck reset?

 

Apparently, the neck wasn't put on quite right to begin with. My normal

luthier didn't build the guitar. He just replaced the top.

 

Still, I love that guitar. It blows my D-40 away in tone. No guitar I've

ever played sounds like it. Indian Rosewood B&S and Cedar top.

 

It blows every guitar I have away in tone except for my 3 inch thick F-65ce. I really love to play that big cutaway slot head.

I love the tone and it's getting better.