Frank Ford's Friends

Frank Ford's Discussions

At 1:13pm on June 15, 2009, Larry Parker said…: Frank,

Thank you for the reply on polymer finishes but how do you touch up after gluing?

At 5:04pm on June 14, 2009, leparker said…: Frank, how do you deal with this finish when repairing cracks, etc. or do you just refuse to work on them? They're very frustrating!!

The guitar I have in my shop has a wood crack all the way up the back. This was sent to me by a small dealer who works out of a large antique shop and I would assume it was very dry and hot in there, it's only open 4 days a week, the fingerboard and bridge were extremely dry, I put some re-conditioner on them. One section of the crack between a brace and binding I could not get close, I think the brace would have to be removed to get it to close which I didn't do. It's almost like the glue softened the back cracked and then the glue hardened. ??????

Larry
Fox Haven Lutherie

At 8:28am on June 13, 2009, Peter Saunders said…: Hi,
I don't know if this will interest you but I've recently acquired a Clifford Essex Paragon guitar which I believe must be from the late 1920's. It sat in its original case in the attic of a friend since 1959 and was in a fairly sorry state. I've now restored it and it plays like new. I've spent the last two months trying to find out about the company and have now managed to piece together their history from a variety of sources. One of which was frets.com which has a very similar 1930's Paragon guitar in its museum. I also managed to track down a back issue of 'Acoustic Guitar magazine' reviewing the same guitar in it's classic gear section, in which it states that the number 102 on the headstock implies it might be only the second produced. My guitar has a slightly different 'simpler' Paragon logo and has number 70 on the headstock leading me to believe was made some years earlier. I don't know how significant this maybe seeing as only a handful of guitars were believed to have been produced by the company. Please find photos attached.
Hope this of interest for your site.
Peter Saunders.

At 3:56pm on June 3, 2009, Mike Effertz said…: Thanks so much. I will be ordring from them soon.

Mike

At 3:21pm on June 3, 2009, Mike Effertz said…: Frank,
I found your Stick Shellac article because I am looking for ways to repair gouges in gun stocks. Well your article is exactly what I was looking for, however I have not been able to find anyplace that sells a complete Stick Shellac kit like you have pictured. If you could tell me where I could buy a kit like that I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks
MikeE@CheaperThanDirt.com

At 2:26pm on May 19, 2009, PAUL said…: Hi Frank my name is Paul Bonfiglio I own Modesto Guitar Mill so I am a RV student with my Business up for Sale Was wondering if it would be OK with you to put a flier in your store for the entire business as a whole i have over $120,000 in figured black walnut and other exotic hard woods ,tools jigs the works and will low ball it to $40,000 i want to go back to classical Guitar playing which is my first love ever since RV I have been in such demand I haven't any time for my self and need to be what I need to be I love building but I would rather Play and go to School my # is 209-595-9221 CHEERS PHB I will always build Guitars for my self at least 1 a year

At 10:29am on May 12, 2009, Cara Luft said…: Hi Frank,

Thanks so much for writing back. I also heard back from one of the other repair guys so I think I've got some good nuggets of info there... Lately I've just been touring with a really nice hi-end mic and it's such a treat -- the guitars sound like guitars! :) It's just awkward in the larger rooms where there's the feedback issue. Anyways, thanks again, when I'm back in the area I'll be sure to pop into the shop and say hi!

:) Cara

At 5:46pm on May 11, 2009, Cara Luft said…: Hi Frank,

I'm a good friend of Judy Threet's, so while on tour last fall I stopped by Gryphon to have a look. I talked with one of the repair guys there about instrument pickups and which ones he would recommend. I'm currently using a K&K Trinity Western but it's needing to be replaced. I have an old Martin HD 28, as well as a brand new Ted Thompson T1 and want to use the same pickup in each. The fellow I talked with suggested Trance Audio Amulet. I wanted to ask you what pickups you've had success with installation wise as well as sound wise. There are 3 that are on my radar: the Amulet, Highlander (perhaps the combo with the mic) and Scherlter BlueStik. Do you have any suggestions? I've heard that the Highlander can be quite tricky to install. I want something where I can plug in and go and have a wonderful reliable sound regardless of the type of venue. Would love to hear your thoughts... Thanks so much, Frank! :)

Cara Luft
Winnipeg, MB
cara@caraluft.com

At 5:56am on May 6, 2009, Larry Parker said…: I am a little confused about adjusting intonation: Some teachers say the 12th fret should right on with the open string (Erelewine), other say due to string vibration, etc. it should be set a little flat (Kent Everett). Any insight on this would be appreciated.

At 7:27am on April 27, 2009, T Wong said…: Hi Frank,
I am retired Canadian Chinese, relocated Shanghai 2004. I am a student of Jeffrey Yong and I have taken some lessons previously in other school in maintain and repair, serving mainly my collections and friends as well as building to occuply myself.

Glad that I am here.

Thomas