original colour?

[casinoman]

@ Jeffrey: I don't know why the previous owner changed the nut. The old one looks pretty much intact (see pics), but maybe there has been an issue with fret buzz. I guess here is no way of finding out without installing it.

@ Paul: Thanks for the analysis. Hope you don't mind if I won't ship the baby over from Germany for further examination . Is there any more info or close-up I could provide for a remote assessment? BTW: The small crack has rather been fixed from the outside by filling it with some kind of glue. According to the previous owner, this has been performed by an experienced luthier in Seattle, and I think he did a good job (from what I think without trying to cover it up with additional paint).

[jingle_jangle]

The small crack has rather been fixed from the outside by filling it with some kind of glue. According to the previous owner, this has been performed by an experienced luthier in Seattle, and I think he did a good job (from what I think without trying to cover it up with additional paint).

By "small" I assume you mean "narrow", Michael? So, it was glued and not painted over...must've been cyanoacrylate, I'm thinking. Not sure how this would hold, assuming also that there was residual glue in there from a previous repair.

However, if we assume that the JG is original, then CA would stabilize the cracked area and possibly strengthen it somewhat, if the aim was not to re-top the guitar, or try to get it looking like it was never cracked.

BTW, I love F bodies. Here's one similar to yours that I restored for Graham Griffiths a couple of years ago:









Don't you just love that CB-bound headstock!

[casinoman]

Paul,

yes, I meant narrow. I have been in touch with John Minutaglio a few years ago, and he had 2 F-bodies with the exact same crack. I guess it's rather cosmetic and does not affect the stability of the guitar. Since I bought the guitar in 1997 or 1998, I don't really recall the details the seller described to me.

As far as the 360F with the checkerboard binding on the headstock is concerned, it's just marvellous. I've seen it before on this forum and got really jealous (same with the other F's in Graham's possession). Well, at least I was able to score one really nice example, they are just too rare.

[jingle_jangle]

Absolutely, Michael. I prefer the later Fs to the earlier (although I wouldn't turn a gift of either down!!!), because they are much more resonant due to their more traditional built-up construction.