LOTS OF PROJECTS NEARING COMPLETION...

[jps]

Aitch will probably be in a shot or two.

Don't you mean a shot or two ( or 10 or 20 or so) will be in Aitch?

[4003]

Any jumbo acoustics about to be finished????

[bottom4]

You'll know why when you see it. I can give a clue, however...it's finished in a new burst called "Chianti".

Enjoying a glass right now

[ozover50]

Mmmmmmmm......... shots, Chianti..........

[jingle_jangle]

Any jumbo acoustics about to be finished????

Funny you should ask...A bunch (8) in process: Binding, necks to attach and set up, then on to the booth.

But I can only work on one at a time...

[henry5]

Ah, you just need some of these....

[jwilli]

ThiS ThreaD Is UselesS WithouT PictureS!

[jingle_jangle]

Sorry, John. I've been too busy to really take and post any, then had a week off with So Cal and all. Let me see what's in the can...

[kenposurf]

Sorry, John. I've been too busy to really take and post any, then had a week off with So Cal and all. Let me see what's in the can...

You could hire me to take pic's

[johnallg]

Let me see what's in the can...

Just look down....

Ewwwwwwwwwww!





Can you tell it's late??

[jingle_jangle]

HERE's what's in the can...a '59 Capri that finally got to tht top of the list.

It was sent to me without a case, already stripped and sanded, parts in large Zip-Lock bags (not a good idea). I suppose the owner--who has had it for a long time, and wanted to play it at his HS reunion this year--originally planned to restore it himself. Or maybe he got a bargain on someone's stalled project.

Whenever a guitar is sent in partially completed, I'm working like a blind man with mittens on. This one had already had too much sanding on back and sides--and with DEEP sand-scratches, the top veneer of the plywood back had been sanded through on one horn, and the entire shape had to be crispened-up before color could be shot. The original plated parts like p/u covers, bridge, and jackplate were badly worn and corroded, the wiring harness had been butchered, and the tuners had been replaced with some nasty Japanese stuff from the early '70s. Oddly, both my 425S and my 450S had these same tuners fitted when I got them. Somebody sold a lot of these things. Now I've got three sets in the parts bin!

A lot of work was required to get the body straightened out to the point where it would take a vintage FG finish in nitro (this was a very early '59; owner thought it a '58, but the original FG color and serial number settled that point). But it finished up really fine, and once the nitro settles in to full shrink mode, it will look factory-original.

All the chrome was redone, wiring harness was rebuilt, and a new Kaufmann was fitted. The fretboard was DEEPLY fingernail-grooved, as the photos will attest, so the first major task was to remove it and replace it with a newly-built replica. Rather than leave the new one raw, I cheated a bit and after filling the grain with the typical white filler, which I make up myself, I sanded it carefully and refretted it, then sealed it with a nice matte lacquer sealer. It'll last longer and stay cleaner.

Owner wanted the body left as original (no replacement back), so the sanded-through areas were cleaned up a bit and left under the FG; they are in the darker area at the edge, so they aren't too obvious. Normally, I'd replace the back.

New pickguard was made and new knobs fitted. Man, the old stuff was super-grungy and would have looked out of place on a shiny restored '59. The pickups tested out OK; all in about the 6.5K-7K ohm range. All had to get new leads, as they were wired without coax going to the switches...anywhere near fluorescent lights would have had them buzzing like a beehive.

Finished up, it played great and sounded snappy; those who've heard Graham's 375F that I restored for him, will know what I mean. These oldies really have a great, hot sound!

Got an email back from the owner, who loves his "new" baby and thanked me very kindly. Another nice Rick to add to the category of "back from the dead".





Things to note: Look at the beautiful curl of the neck wood! Typical of this vintage. My '60 is like this, too. Note also that, like so many older Ricks, this one had a black enamel paint job done to it sometime in the past.































Above is the Capri after clear lacquer topcoat, but before color wet sanding and buffing...



Above after sanding and some buffing had been completed.



Above shows how edges are taped to avoid buffing through the extremely soft nitro. Note difference in gloss between buffed and unbuffed areas. (Arrows). Edges are hand-rubbed with great care to avoid buffing through.



Assembled and ready to play. Glorious color!!!

Some close-ups:











Interestingly, the back was ASH plywood. I've seen some with backs in light mahogany plywood, as well.

[fireglo67]

Wow, that is one hot guitar, no wonder you keep a fire extinguisher close by!

Another amazing piece of restoration and craftmanship there Paul.

Glorious.

[captsandwich]

I thought the picture of it hanging was after it had the finish applied.
The colour is lovely, but I think it would've been stunning in MG.
Regardless, another amazing job, Paul.

[ozover50]

I got to see that one 'in the flesh' so to speak and it's a stunner. Rubbing down and buffing was a ***** due to the softness of the nitro finish but Paul was very patient - apart from the flurries of expletives from time to time!

The fire extinguisher was there in case I came to close to it, Rob...... capsicum spray is in short supply in SF - wonder why?

[melibreits]

Absolutely beautiful! WOW!!!!