Small tab of the pickguard is broken off. This is a common occurance on old vintage guitars. The acetate based pickguard plastic shrinks with age, at such a slow rate that it actually bends the screw holes inward. You can see this effect in this picture, where the screw hole in the pickguard is displaced from the screw now standing back up straight in it's hole! Owners often think the tilted screw needs tightening and when they tighten the screw it snaps the already strained and age-dried plastic. I will attempt to repair this broken tab by fabricating a laminated patch made from plastic sheets and topped with custom-colored epoxy laminate to match and polished. I will also slightly elongate all of the pickguard screw holes less than the width of the screw head; Which will cumulative reduce the strain on the pickuguard screw holes . See Page 6 for more info and better pics of the body screw holes. I will also aplly a coat of correct oil on the pickguard, to replenish the oils that have dried out, which will make the pickguard expand a bit back towards it's original size. |
The neck has too much relief. Relief can be seen comparing the neck binding trim with the 6th string. Center of relief is marked by the arrow. Compare with string clearance at red arrow. The yellow arrow string clearance should be about 1/16" greater than the red arrow's string clearance; While now it's about 1/8" more at the yellow arrow. I will adjust proper relief with the trussrod adjustment under the trussrod adjustment cover plate. One tuner knob shaft is slightly bent and will easily straighten. See close-up image on Page 1.b . |
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Before work; Inspection & documentation ~ Page 1; Front Views ~ |
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ONGOING INSPECTIONS AND WORK TEXT WILL BE POSTED A FEW DAYS AFTER ACTUAL PROGRESS. |
The appearance of heavy smudging on this guitar is an innocuous light anti-corrosive oil I put on it some time ago before packing it back away when I received it. This guitar will clean up and shine quite nicely. |
The neck has too much relief. Relief can be seen comparing the neck binding trim with the 6th string. Center of relief is marked by the arrow. Compare with string clearance at red arrow. The yellow arrow string clearance should be about 1/16" greater than the red arrow's string clearance; While now it's about 1/8" more at the yellow arrow. I will adjust proper relief with the trussrod adjustment under the trussrod adjustment cover plate. One tuner knob shaft is slightly bent and will easily straighten. See close-up image on Page 1.b . |
Non original decal. Might be easily removeable without damage to finish. I will report on the removeability of the decal when I inspect it closely; Although it's a nice decal in great shape and just might be worthy of considering part of this guitar's escapades and earned soul. |
The knobs / pots configuration front to rear are neck volume, neck tone, bridge volume and bridge tone. The bridge pickup tone control knob is missing. I will replace the knob with an original from a donor guitar if I have one; Or try to find one networking other guitar techs. The tone pot shaft ear is NOT broken as previously said; I had forgotten the unusual shape of these pot shafts to facilitate holding the knobs in place during rotation of the knobs. The pot is OK and works just fine. |
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The nut, fretboard, frets, position markers and binding trim are in excellent condition. I will lemon oil the fretboard and bridge. |
Small tab of the pickguard is broken off. This is a common occurance on old vintage guitars. The acetate based pickguard plastic shrinks with age, at such a slow rate that it actually bends the screw holes inward. You can see this effect in this picture, where the screw hole in the pickguard is displaced from the screw now standing back up straight in it's hole! Owners often think the tilted screw needs tightening and when they tighten the screw it snaps the already strained and age-dried plastic. I will attempt to repair this broken tab by fabricating a laminated patch made from plastic sheets and topped with custom-colored epoxy laminate to match and polished. I will also slightly elongate all of the pickguard screw holes less than the width of the screw head; Which will cumulative reduce the strain on the pickuguard screw holes . See Page 6 for more info and better pics of the body screw holes. I will also aplly a coat of correct oil on the pickguard, to replenish the oils that have dried out, which will make the pickguard expand a bit back towards it's original size. |
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The patient is well behaved and comfortable waiting for invasive inspections, diagnosese and work / detailing that might be indicated. The external inspection and ops tests indicates the guitar is in overall Excellent condition and will come out an Old Adventurer strack, sterile and spiffed up ready for new musical adventures. |
1965 Silvertone Harmony model S1478 With Original Fibreboard Case |
