• Projects

    1942 Martin Tiple

    December 10, 2024 /

    Today’s show-and-tell is a 1942 Martin T 17.  The “Tiple” as it is known to aficionados.  After much demand from distributors, especially in South America, Martin began producing tiples in 1925, with the T 15.  It was based upon a 1/4 scale guitar body.  The tiple in one form or the other was produced by Martin until 2000. This one came in with a broken bridge, but otherwise, in pretty decent form for its age.  All of the bracing is performing as intended. I must admit, I had to seek guidance on how to string one of these things!  It sure is a cool sounding instrument!

    Read More
  • Projects

    The UproariousRBG

    September 26, 2024 /

    Here’s a Re-imagination project we just finished. We took a 1972 Stella and turned it into a Rubber Bridge Guitar. We pulled the original tiny frets, then added a 12″ radius to the fingerboard.  (Show of hands who knew that these catalog guitars had maple fingerboards hiding under the brown paint?)   Then we fit it with larger nickel frets that modern players prefer. We added a K&K Pure Mini pickup attached to the soundboard under the rubber bridge saddle, and put in a split rail humbucker at the neck position. A set of Stringjoy Signature 11’s make her “Uproarious!” She’s finished in shellac. She’s likely to hit the market…

    Read More
  • Projects

    1965 Gibson LG-0

    August 2, 2024 /

    Here’s a 1965 Gibson LG-0 that came in for its bridge replacement.  It happens to all of them, eventually.  Read the page from the great textbook “Gibson’s Fabulous Flat-top Guitars” for further information. We were able to remove the “Edsel,” strengthen the bridge plate by adding a 3mm thick slab of maple and affix an adjustable aftermarket rosewood bridge. While we were at it, the player chose a new hand-carved nut and saddle to go along with the Legendary Southeast Setup.  We also repaired some damage to the bass side sheet. This “$85.00 (1960’s pricing) Gibson” is ready for another half century of making music! Thanks, Ken, for letting us…

    Read More
  • Uncategorized

    Curt Mangan Fusion Matched Strings

    April 25, 2024 /

    Brooklyn Fretworks is now an authorized dealer for Curt Mangan Strings! These fine strings are made by artisans in Colorado. The have over one zillion varieties (possible exaggeration on my part) and surely a set to fit what you’re playing, and how you like to play it. Check them out on the web at Curt Mangan Strings.

    Read More
  • Projects

    1974 Epiphone Caballero

    April 22, 2024 /

    Here’s a circa 1974 MIJ Epiphone Caballero acoustic guitar. Someone wasn’t very nice to it in the past, but that’s why we are here! The neck block was broken, and the side sheets and soundboard were detached. We were able to repair most of the damage, then gave her the Legendary Southeast Setup, along with a new bone bridge saddle. She’s ready for another fifty years of joyous music! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Joseph “Chip” Tait (@brooklynfretworks)  

    Read More
  • Dailies,  Guitars

    Brand new G&L Doheny in for the Legendary Southeast Setup

    February 23, 2024 /

    So why on earth does a brand new guitar need a setup?  Well, most factories don’t have time allotted to do a final setup for every instrument that travels down the line.  And even if they did, some guitars travel a long way from the plant to the player; half way around the world in this case. When you bring your new axe to your friendly neighborhood luthier, they can take the time to bring the instrument that final mile and make it sound, feel and play its best.  In this case, the player wanted it set up to play in D standard tuning with 11 gauge Stringjoy Signature strings,…

    Read More
Verified by MonsterInsights