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1971 Gibson Dove Preservation
Today’s feature is a 1971 Gibson Dove acoustic guitar preservation project. After 55 years on the road, the player wanted to have some damage repaired in preparation for fifty more years of making music. The bridge was coming loose, and the neck needed to be reset, so that’s where we started, by removing the bridge and neck. The body then underwent rehydration therapy at the BFW spa, returning the box into balance with nature. This would also allow me to repair about 1000 millimeters of cracks in the soundboard, which was accomplished using the method pioneered by TJ Thompson. Once the cracks were repaired, I was able to address replacing…
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1969 Gibson J-50 Preservation Project
For your viewing pleasure, we have a fairly rare 1969 Gibson J-50 acoustic guitar. I found out about this guitar when one of my clients reached out after he saw it offered for sale at a music store in Baltimore County. It was in rough shape, and my client wondered how much it might cost to make playable again. I looked at a couple photos and made a non-binding guess that it would need around $1200.00 worth of repairs in order to once again be a dependable, great-sounding jumbo guitar. He thought it over, and decided to pass. I couldn’t blame him, but I also couldn’t help myself, as my…
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1942(?) Gibson L-50 archtop project
The player who brought this guitar into the shop tells me, “I bought it from a guy who said he bought it second hand back in the 1940’s. I’m told a lady sat on it at some time in the past.” And from there, the mystery unfolds. Measuring the box tells us it’s most likely the model L-50 made after 1934, models before that time had an oval sound hole, where ours features f-holes. Gibson wasn’t using serial numbers consistently at this time, but they did use a system called Factory Order Numbers, which were stamped on the back plate visible through the treble-side f-hole. Our FON is likely 2138.…
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1981 Gibson ES-Artist
From Google: The 1981 Gibson ES-Artist was a high-end, technologically advanced hollow-body guitar featuring active electronics designed by Robert Moog. Produced around 1979–1981, it blended classic ES-335 styling with modern innovations, sometimes featuring unique finishes like Fireburst. These models were designed for active artists, often featuring advanced tone controls. Key Details of the 1981 Gibson ES-Artist: Electronics: The guitar was known for its active electronics, which were designed by Bob Moog to offer a wide range of tones. Design & Build: It maintained the classic Gibson ES (Electric Spanish) thinline, double-cutaway design. Era Specifics: While some 1981 models featured standard humbuckers, others in the ES line during this time, such…
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1965 Gibson LG-0
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…
Brooklyn Fretworks
Baltimore Guitar REPAIR-BUILD-MODIFY
