Looking For Restoration/Repair of a 1952 SJ-45

[R. Shawn Jones]

I am looking for a craftsman to do a restoration on my father's 1952 Gibson SJ-45.
Anyone in Texas you would recommend? This was my father's guitar--a family heirloom now--so I need the best craftsman I can find. I would prefer someone within driving distance of Houston or Austin, but any suggestions will be appreciated.
~Shawn

[David Payne]

Shawn,

I wrote to Martin and they gave me a list of approved or recommended restoration folks. However, I ended up doing a 1925 0-18 myself.

I bet if you emailed, wrote or called Gibson they would have lists of qualified people to help you and possibly nearby or in a neighboring state at least. How much work does it need? Any pictures?

Dave
Constantine Guitars

[R. Shawn Jones]

The guitar sounds wonderful, but due to its worn frets and loose tuners it will not tune properly, or stay in tune. The former owner (who had purchased the guitar from my father 40 years ago, and used it professionally in a prison music ministry until I found it bought it back) had sent the guitar to Gibson factory for rebuild and refinish TWICE, and the last time, Gibson really messed up the finish. Laid the lacquer on too thick, or perhaps in too moist an atmosphere (?), and it seems they never got it to dry properly, and the finish cracked liked crazy. I am hesitant to rely on the Gibson factory shop.
Cosemetically the guitar needs a refinish of the top, but functionally it needs refretting of the 2nd & 3rd frets and perhaps replacing the fretboard in those sections; the tuning keys are loose and slip; and the saddle seems to be glued down into its groove on the bridge, and is not adjustable. It is set up very very low, with a wonderfully easy action, like an electric, but the 'b' string vibrates with a slight 'fuzz' sound. The wood around the lower end of the sound hole has sunken slightly (must have gotten too hot in back of a car) but I do not think I want to risk structural repairs to the top. (The folks at Fuller's Vintage Guitars here in Houston strongly advised me against that.) That's all I can see.

[Jay Lowe]

There are several. If It were mine and for some reason I didn't want to do the work myself, I'd use Mark Erlewine in Austin (www.erlewineguitars.com) or Ron Pace in Houston (www.paceguitarrepair.com)

Good luck with it.

Jay

[R. Shawn Jones]

Thanks! Erlewine sounds like the 'museum quality' craftsmanship I might be looking for with my family treasure. But as a local alternative--what do you know about Neil Sargent's work here in the Houston 'Heights' neighborhood? I have heard very good things about him, too.

[Jay Lowe]

I've heard of Neil (good things) but I haven't seen his work. I've also heard good things about the repairs done at Lone Star Guitar but I haven't seen theirs either. Certainly doesn't mean anything bad, I'm just really picky about who I recommend. I've seen several examples of Mark & Ron's work which is why I recommended them.

Why don't you go visit with some of them? The 'feel good' factor can be worth quite a bit in these situations. If you want to come a bit further north, I'd have a few more recommendations for you.

Good luck with it.

Jay

[R. Shawn Jones]

Thanks, Jay--excellent suggestion. I should go visit both Ron and Neil here in Houston. They are close by and I could see their work first hand. Will report back on what I find.

Best regards,
Shawn

[Bob Gaddis]

I would caution you about a full museum-quality restoration. I realize that this guitar understandably has great sentimental value, but be careful not to lure you into an expenditure beyond the commercial value, unless you just happen to have and want to spend a pile of money. Since the guitar has already been "refinished" twice, commercial collector value is pretty much gone. So you are left with the decision as to how much you are willing to spend, which only you can answer.

I'd get several evaluations. There is a considerable difference between a museum-quality restoration and a restoration to make the guitar stable and playable. A fret job and divot repair may be all that is necessary for the fingerboard and the bridge/saddle can only be evaluated as it relates to the neck angle/top belly condition. The sunken top may need attention to maintain the guitar's stability and structural integrity.

The tuners are no big deal. You can get Kluson replacements and put the originals away for safekeepiong.

[R. Shawn Jones]

Thanks, Bob, I appreciate the distinction you make between a full-on museum restoration, and a high quality playable/stable repair job. Do you do this kind of work yourself? Where are you located?
~~Shawn Jones