Eric Steven Johansen's Page

Eric - Came across your post about restoring a Maurer.  I am the proud owner of a Maurer  (I am told probably circa 1916) - and while it is amazing, it does need some work.   Someone many years ago did a criminally bad bridge replacement - I think in an attempt to lower the action.  They replaced the original bridge with a rosewood 'belly' style bridge, but on in the 'reverse' Gibson style.   Careful inspection shows that the bridge plate is cracked badly and in need of replacement. There is a hairline crack along to top side of the neck and the neck probably needs a reset.  I suspect strongly that these are all related issues given the dynamism of tensions in a guitar. As I said, in spite of this - what a voice when I have the guts to bring it to tension.

Having said all that - I figured you'd be a good person to 'know', as you've apparently been on the inside of these suckers (Mind you, I am aware that the Larsens were constantly tinkering so 'standard' does not exactly exist.).

I have one question that pops right up. What's the likely neck joint I am going to encounter on this baby? I've seen x-rays where there is a BIG wood screw angled in to the joint from under the finger board.  Any thoughts welcome.

I've got lots of pics - but here's a general oneSJG%20Mauer%20-%201.jpg

Eric -

Ooops... I thought I was sending you a message - not posting on your wall. My apologies.  

I don't have a 'link' to the pics, but friend me (accept) and I'll send you the other pics including some of the details re: repair.

The guitar IS X-braced.  But it does not seem to have the famous Larsen laminated braces.  Tony Klassen (Ark New Era Guitars and quite knowledgeable about Larsen guitars) says that it may be that they ARE laminated but with Maple not Rosewood.  (BTW, Tony's guitars appear to be of the 'to die for' breed!)

Tony says it's a model 494 Auditorium  - a step up from the student models and based on the serial numbers he says it was likely built around 1916.

Hi Eric, hey man, what is your email address? 

Thanks Eric, my pleasure, I am privileged to be a part of this group and do my best to add what I can to our base.  I learn a lot from you guys and while forums are testing from time to time the value of being in your company is a security blanket of some size.   I am building a factory at the moment so I may not be as responsive as I would like to be but I will do my best to hit the main forum pages every other day - nice to make yr acquaintance Eric, Regards, Rusty.

Regards, Rusty.

Eric, I just wonder whether we are taking this guy to a place that he is capable of being - he is a a self-acknowledged hobbiest and may not have the basic skills to do anything here to a craftman like manner.    I'm not engaging in this conversation because it involves outcomes that may not be achievable by the member and also discussions on counterfeiting serial numbers.  Personally, I'm OK with either reclaiming the headstock or board removal/scarf jointing, filling the Kahler mess in and painting the whole thing black.  But then again I like the looks of Explorers and V's andhave a soft spot for these sometimes maligned instruments.   Hope your cruising Eric, it's springtime here at last,  and I wish you and yours well. Rusty

Eric, I hope this is the right place for this.  I had noticed in the "Neck Re-set Gallery" that you had worked on the Mauer #5 Monogram, and that it had a mortice and tenon type of neck.  I have a Bruno that has the same neck attachment, and I was wondering how you put the neck back on the Mauer.

I am also working on a guitar that I think looks a lot like a Washburn, but has only a small stamped name "U.S. Crane" on the end of the peghead.  The neckblock is oak and square, with the number 6317 stamped in ink on it,  There is the same number stamped on the inside of the rosewood side.  Again, I saw the neck joint of the Washburn that you had shown in the gallery.  Was that oak block square, and did it have any numbers?

Thanks for the help, not only with this, but for the many times in the past. George