A question for Light!!!

  • Thread starter Thread starter pikingrin
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pikingrin

pikingrin

what is this?
Okay, so I have got a 1968 epiphone (made in USA) acoustic a couple years ago from a family member who passed it down to me but I never did play it too much due to a major warping of the fretboard. Recently I have been playing on it quite a bit and the sound is incredible if you keep everything below the 7th fret. Anything above that is either extremely buzzy, or is completely dead. According to my uncle, the original owner, he had it in his dorm while in the airforce and kept it in it's case. However, the afternoon sun shone directly on the case and warped the fretboard. Or at least that's his story... ;)

Upon further inspection, I can't tell if the neck is actually twisted but I can literally see a "swell" in the fretboard around where the neck meets the body, and I can also see a slight "bubble" on the soundboard, where the bridge is attached. I just need an opinion on whether I should spend the $$$ on getting the fretboard planed and new frets put on, or if this "relic" is only a showpiece now... I love the way it sounds, but I don't want to drop $300.00 on a fretjob if it is crap because the slight warp on the top.

**Just a sidenote... I use light gauge strings (.10-.46?) to keep from doing any further damage, if any more can be done... Would heavier strings warp the neck and/or body further?

Sorry for the long post! Thank you for your insight, whoever answers this!
 
pikingrin said:
Okay, so I have got a 1968 epiphone (made in USA) acoustic a couple years ago from a family member who passed it down to me but I never did play it too much due to a major warping of the fretboard. Recently I have been playing on it quite a bit and the sound is incredible if you keep everything below the 7th fret. Anything above that is either extremely buzzy, or is completely dead. According to my uncle, the original owner, he had it in his dorm while in the airforce and kept it in it's case. However, the afternoon sun shone directly on the case and warped the fretboard. Or at least that's his story... ;)

Upon further inspection, I can't tell if the neck is actually twisted but I can literally see a "swell" in the fretboard around where the neck meets the body, and I can also see a slight "bubble" on the soundboard, where the bridge is attached. I just need an opinion on whether I should spend the $$$ on getting the fretboard planed and new frets put on, or if this "relic" is only a showpiece now... I love the way it sounds, but I don't want to drop $300.00 on a fretjob if it is crap because the slight warp on the top.

**Just a sidenote... I use light gauge strings (.10-.46?) to keep from doing any further damage, if any more can be done... Would heavier strings warp the neck and/or body further?

Sorry for the long post! Thank you for your insight, whoever answers this!
Click to expand...


Without seeing the guitar, it is imposible for me to say what the deal is, but a Epi from that era is worth at least SOME money. I would recomend that you take it to a good reputable shop and get the opinion of someone who has seen the guitar. If they don't bring it up, then ask them what they think the value of the guitar is. If the guitar is less expensive than the cost of the repairs, then you need to give serious thought to the sentimental value of the guitar, and how much you like playing the guitar.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
 
Oh and feel free to use anything up to acoustic mediums (.013-.056) on it.



Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
 
Thanks a lot for the advice! Now to find a reputable shop in Houston... :rolleyes:
 
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