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 Hi, first time here. I'm not a luthier, but I have an 1977 or 78 Takamine F-385 12 string that I got brand new some 35 yrs. ago. Over the years I have worn grooves in the finger board that makes it impossible to play in tune. Its not the frets that are worn, but if you can see in my photo the actual finger board has grooves. I've talked to Takamine and they said they don't have a replacement neck and they don't do repairs. I know its not a Martin or a Gibson, but this guitar has a beautiful full sound and stays in tune very well. I would really like to get it repaired but I just don't know what to do. Most of the luthiers I see online are too busy. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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First, I must say that I've seen any number of fingerboards with similar or worse wear, and it had NO effect on intonation whatever.   From the look of the strings, they are so old as to be predictably uneven and maybe even rusty, so intonation would be a problem for sure.  

Now, no guitar plays perfectly in tune, and 12-strings are more likely than six to have intonation "issues," because of the juxtaposition of skinny octave and fat bass strings.  Unlike 35 years ago, we're all using electronic tuners, so intonation accuracy is more apparent than ever before. My best suggestion is to get the guitar "set up" by an experienced luthier, and I suspect it will continue to serve you well.

Neck replacement would not be feasible because of cost.  Replacement of a Martin guitar neck is likely to run about $1500, and a Takamine is more difficult to handle, so it's probable that  if you could find someone to do the replacement, it would cost far in excess of the current value of the guitar.  That said, there are circumstances under which we do work on instruments that have real sentimental or historical value, and in those cases, the money is not an issue.  The world of lutherie is is still partly in the 19th Century, so it's not unusual for us to fabricate parts for instruments that have survived far longer than the companies that made them.

It's a shame  to have to abandon old instruments that theoretically could be restored, but it's still a fact we have to accept. . .

Thank you for the reply Frank. Could you recommend a good Luthier in the North Bay to set up the guitar? And I'm a bit embarrassed by the strings, your right, they are old, but only because I don't play it much anymore.

Wendell, One of my best friends bought one of these around the same time you got yours. It's a great guitar that plays well and really sounds good. I'm actually not a fan of the sound of most 12 string guitars because they always sound "muddy"to me but I like the sound of His just fine. 

Hi Wendell. 

If I lived as close as you do, I'd take it to Gryphon in Palo Alto.  I understand they do some pretty fantastic work there.

Best of luck (-:

I honestly cannot see the need to replace the neck????? First choice for me would be to refret and plane the board clean in the process. If the board is so far gone that planing proved impractical then second choice is a new board. A new neck only makes sense if the old one is destroyed beyond repair.

This could all be dealt with during a refret, which this guitar certainly needs.  There is no need to replace the neck.

The only way that fingerboard divots could affect intonation, would be if you were fretting so hard that you were mimicking a sitar.

Those Takamines were nice instruments.   It would be well worth it, to have the work done.

I want to thank everyone for the help and advice. Based on your responses I think I will definitely get this guitar fixed. Maybe I can get it done at Gryphon, sounds like they're the best in the area. Thank you again

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