Baxendale Conversions: World-class acoustic guitars at affordable prices.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Scott Baxendale
  • Start date Start date
markmann said:
Just curious, how do you decide when to or when not to do a conversion on a guitar?
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We do conversions on most all models made in Chicago by either the Harmony or Kay factories. We also do conversions on some other brands and models, such as old Kalamazoo’s, some Gibson models such as a LGO or LG1. We don’t really convert any import models or a lot of the major factory models. Most of the guitars we convert are originally built between 1920-1970. Modern guitars are not good candidates.

The most popular models are the H162, H165, H1203, H1260, H319, H621, H1265, H1266, H187, H189. There are many others.

These guitars were sold through department stores with different imprints on the headstock. Such as: Silvertone meant it was sold through Sears and Roebuck. Airline was sold through Wards, etc. there are dozens of logos on the headstocks.
 
60's guy said:
Nor should they be. The Guilds were good builds.
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Guilds are ok. Mostly they are too clunky. The heel and neck block are usually super thick and heavy. The necks are generally finished in which makes taking them off a lot harder. The best guild acoustics were made in the late 50’s and early 60’s when they were made by the old NY Epiphone folks.
 
I've liked Guilds for years, although that's mostly based on electrics. But I did like the Guild acoustics that I had played back in the 70s and 80s, especially how they played. I don't know much about the construction, but they just have a good feel for me.

I preferred them to the Martins. Back then, around here it was Guild, Martin, Gibson and occasionally an Alvarez. I wasn't playing acoustics back then, so I never considered actually buying one. I ended up buying a Yamaha F160 a few years later.
 
jimistone said:
It sounds amazing as is. Rich tone and more projection than a D28.
I was just curious.
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It’s a good guitar as it is. What we do is kind of like a frame off resto mod, like putting a V8 in a Volkswagen. The guitars we rebuild were mostly made real cheaply and crudely on the inside. We replace the crude insides with sophisticated advanced bracing. The guild already has advanced bracing and even though I could make it sound better it wouldn’t be nearly as drastic an improvement as it is on a Harmony or Kay.

A lot of D-28’s are kinda of tubby sounding. In the studio you have to EQ a lot off the low end to make it sound good on a recording. The Guild is less tubby and slightly more mid-rangey which does project better.

The Mahogany OM size models we rebuild become the worlds best studio guitars because their sound records magnificently without much or any EQ and very little compression needed.
 
TalismanRich said:
I've liked Guilds for years, although that's mostly based on electrics. But I did like the Guild acoustics that I had played back in the 70s and 80s, especially how they played. I don't know much about the construction, but they just have a good feel for me.

I preferred them to the Martins. Back then, around here it was Guild, Martin, Gibson and occasionally an Alvarez. I wasn't playing acoustics back then, so I never considered actually buying one. I ended up buying a Yamaha F160 a few years later.
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When I started building guitars it was in a small town where they have the National Flatpicking Championships every year, so it was nearly all Bluegrass music and the guitars everyone drooled over were Pre-war Martins and Gibson’s, as well as Mossman Guitars (where I worked), and Gallagher Guitars which were dreadnought bluegrass flatpicking guitars. Guilds were not quite as popular as those other brands.
 
Scott Baxendale said:
It’s a good guitar as it is. What we do is kind of like a frame off resto mod, like putting a V8 in a Volkswagen. The guitars we rebuild were mostly made real cheaply and crudely on the inside. We replace the crude insides with sophisticated advanced bracing. The guild already has advanced bracing and even though I could make it sound better it wouldn’t be nearly as drastic an improvement as it is on a Harmony or Kay.

A lot of D-28’s are kinda of tubby sounding. In the studio you have to EQ a lot off the low end to make it sound good on a recording. The Guild is less tubby and slightly more mid-rangey which does project better.

The Mahogany OM size models we rebuild become the worlds best studio guitars because their sound records magnificently without much or any EQ and very little compression needed.
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So, if I were to find an old harmony, Kay, or Silverstone, what does a conversion cost ball park?
I'm a fan of those red dot Yamaha from the 70's...fantastic projection and nice tone as well. Unfortunately most have bellied and need a neck reset at this point.
 
jimistone said:
So, if I were to find an old harmony, Kay, or Silverstone, what does a conversion cost ball park?
I'm a fan of those red dot Yamaha from the 70's...fantastic projection and nice tone as well. Unfortunately most have bellied and need a neck reset at this point.
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Our normal price is $1300 which includes all the parts and labor for a full conversion. A new case, pickup, and shipping are extra.
The end result blows away the red label Yamaha’s.
 
Cool. I have an old 12 string Stella I should send you. I have a few harmony sovereign guitars - one with a light top and one all mahogany, but I like those as is.

Neat service! I would love to try one sometime!
 
noah330 said:
Cool. I have an old 12 string Stella I should send you. I have a few harmony sovereign guitars - one with a light top and one all mahogany, but I like those as is.

Neat service! I would love to try one sometime!
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You should send it in. Also, you should get one of the Sovereign’s done. You will not be disappointed.
 
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