I hate seeing strap buttons in the heel, but it looks like the owner wanted his reinstalled, even after this incident. Your work is first class and the guitar sounds beautiful.
What with the crack being right at the location of the strap button screw, I'm gonna guess that there was not a properly sized pilot hole drilled and the screw created stress that made that location the point of least resistance for the crack upon whatever impact caused the heel fracture. There is nothing wrong at all with installing a strap button in a guitar's heel, but it must be properly executed. Most players do not like how a guitar hangs when the strap is secured to the peghead.
I have had my D-28 for 53 years now, and although I don't like the strap wrapped around the nut, I have always resisted putting a strap button on the heel for this very reason. My brother drilled his button into the bottom of the heel of his 1972 D-35, and in over 50 years it doesn't seem to have been a problem. (he did have to make a hole for it in his case lining to make room for it)
Sir ,,, what a great video you have shared ! I watch these neck repair / neck reset vids on the tube all the time …I am not a luthier…. I have plenty of acoustic guitars I’m always adjusting… have not done a neck reset but it’s in the works for this winter… trying to muster up confidence to attempt .. gonna try on couple of Old Stella Harmony 12 strings …. ….in my mind, there’s been some vagueness as to how to do the carving for the final fits …and there are some great videos by others I have tried to digest .. but yours is the first one were really all comes together for me in my mind. Great photography , great succinct explanations …I am mechanical, quite a decent carpenter …vintage bike, cars and guitars guy … collections that I need to start liquidating at age 73, …but …I’m looking forward to this project now. Thanks a ton for final motivation I needed for this … the bench is ready …Merry Christmas.to you, RD in Michigan
With all your knowledge and experience you are the perfect candidate to tackle that neck reset. I bet if you do it with care it will come out perfect. The thing to do on those old guitars is to use hide glue and not modern glues; that way subsequent neck resets can be done trouble free. Harmony Stellas remind me of the great Leadbelly,
Nice complete repair on that 18. That guitar warrants going the extra mile. They are light weight and sweet sounding guitars. It should be a great player for many decades. I hope your client appreciates the extra effort you tastefully provided. Well done. Merry Christmas.
Amazing neck reset. First time I saw the polishing fret device (I've seen the device for one fret at a time). Great stuff Scott! Merry Christmas and relax! 🎄🎶🎄
I had a guy bring me a D 28. He installed a strap button without drilling a pilot and it cracked the heel like the one you fixed, but the really weird thing was he put the strap button on the wrong side of the heel. Just fun stuff.
I shudder; I bet you that guitar was a gift or hand me down from someone else or he got it cheap. If he’d had to buy it I guarantee he would’ve thought it over much more carefully before doing it.
Actually, he bought it brand new. It was only about a year old when he cracked the heel. It was a pretty easy fix but he will always know when he picks the guitar up that it sustained damage. I had to plug the hole where he put the strap button on the wrong side. If someone is looking closely that will always be visible. It played and sounded good though.@@vayabroder729
Another awesome repair and rejuvenation to a 50+ year old Martin. You really are a master at this stuff, Scott, I always enjoy your videos. Thanks and Merry Christmas!
Another great save! Congratulations on your best year yet, and I'm glad my project helped contribute to it. Thanks, again, for taking on the Playtime conversion. It's a wonderful guitar. Merry Christmas, and a happy and successful 2024.
Talk about an opportune shipping break. Still, though, could’ve been preventable. I always use the shipping principles you mentioned; slack the strings, on archtops take the bridge out and put it in the case compartment and protect the top and fingerboard from the string themselves, try to isolate the case with the guitar in it from any side of the box itself so that it is floating, wrap the headstock well and prevent it from moving inside the case, support the heel, take out end pins on acoustics and archtops if possible and protect the tops of guitars from vibrato arms and units. I’ve had a couple of instruments broken during transit. Two sad ones: A Standell 12 string with arched back (exotic brand; George Harrison had a few) and a Custom Shop Martin D-28. Sadly I got disenchanted with the Standell and didn’t keep it; how I wished you were around; would’ve kept it and sent it your way. The Martin was sent back to the factory and the repair turned out imperceptible; the shipping companies paid on both situations. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
In the late ‘80s I had s ‘61 d-18. It did not sound as nice as this one. Bought it for $800, and that’s what i sold it for. Today, I wish I had it. I’d taper those X legs down from the back of the bridge plate to the rims, and maybe the tone bars just a little. That sound just wasn’t there; no volume at all. Somebody’s prolly modded it by now. It sure didn’t have a cracked neck heel!
Happy New Year y'all! Scott I just found your link today and I immediately subscribed and totally and thoroughly was mesmerized by your talent demonstrated on this guitar repair. At one point you had mentioned about French Polish and I have a question with a little problem I need your help Expertise on if you don't mind? I have a very old semi Hollow 4005 Rickenbacker Bass guitar which somebody long ago used French Polish on it where this Polish was applied or over sprayed somehow inside the cat hole? So my question is Scott please direct me on what you would do and use to go about removing this from inside the cat hole which is on the original pristine exposed wood If I lived near by you I would be making a shop call but unfortunately that is not possible.
I Scott thank you so much for responding I'm not sure how I go about sending a picture or two for your review? Perhaps you left a link on your vlog page?@@harpethguitar
Hi Scott I just attempted to send over two pictures of the 4005 Rick with the French Polish issue I spoke about from your shop's website please let me know if you receive them? I will be awaiting your thoughts on how to remedy this problem.@@harpethguitar
I know a lot of people try to keep those older guitars glued together if it were me I would want another neck put on it I know you do very good work but I would never trust it.
The rest of the guitar is held together with the same glue- if you trust it to hold together the top center seam, the back center seam, all the kerf lining on, the top and back to the kerf lining, every brace on the back and top, the bridge, etc… then you may as well trust it to hold the neck repair together too. Only difference here is you got to see the repair happen.
do you feel that the big ol screw in the heel was the beginning of this break? it doesn't look like it was pre-drilled. NICE JOB btw!!! was that powder post beetles in the old bridge? I just finished a mid 60's Dove with a similar break. heel block and all. I was yelling "the heel block!!!" then you saw it. Good work.
I would say the strap screw was not ‘pilot-drilled’ when fitted, judging by the thread marks in the wood. This would cause the development of a crack…..a break was inevitable.
It had already been damaged when the wood screw was installed in the heel,never would I install a strap button on the heel for that reason but hey live and learn
That's one GREAT reason not to put a strap button on a vintage Martin (Gibson, etc.)... unfortunately and sadly, nowadays (actually last 20-25 years) I find this is more the rule than the exception. Just strap it at the headstock OG style!
Wow that ain't all it needs. Looks like it has been rode hard and left out in the corral to dry. Is that pizza spatula a real luthier tool, or just repurposed?.
The strap botton at that location is nice for the player. My buddy's Taylor had it, but its not the same neck joint. I ask a Martin repair guy to put a strap button at that location on my first Martin. He said no. Thats a terrible idea.
A comment for the algorithm. I think you deserve more viewers. Great job on that Martin.
@@gorgiasxx Thank You 🙏😉🎸
I hate seeing strap buttons in the heel, but it looks like the owner wanted his reinstalled, even after this incident. Your work is first class and the guitar sounds beautiful.
I never liked strap buttons in the neck heel, now I remember why. Great work Scott!
I like the strap button in the shoulder, like on a Les Paul. Yeah, you need a block of wood inside to reinforce it.
@@ironrupikYes but I wouldn’t do that on a vintage acoustic. I use old style behind the nut string or adapter; some don’t like that either 😉
👍🏻
I agree with vaya, I prefer the old school straps that go around the headstock. No neck dive.
What with the crack being right at the location of the strap button screw, I'm gonna guess that there was not a properly sized pilot hole drilled and the screw created stress that made that location the point of least resistance for the crack upon whatever impact caused the heel fracture. There is nothing wrong at all with installing a strap button in a guitar's heel, but it must be properly executed. Most players do not like how a guitar hangs when the strap is secured to the peghead.
Probably not a surprise that it broke right where that strap knob was screwed in.
I have had my D-28 for 53 years now, and although I don't like the strap wrapped around the nut, I have always resisted putting a strap button on the heel for this very reason. My brother drilled his button into the bottom of the heel of his 1972 D-35, and in over 50 years it doesn't seem to have been a problem. (he did have to make a hole for it in his case lining to make room for it)
Merry Christmas and May God Bless...
Same to you!
A beautifully sympathetic repair.
If my best friend did that, I'd never speak to him again. If I did it I'd never speak to myself again. Subscribed!
Sir ,,, what a great video you have shared ! I watch these neck repair / neck reset vids on the tube all the time …I am not a luthier…. I have plenty of acoustic guitars I’m always adjusting… have not done a neck reset but it’s in the works for this winter… trying to muster up confidence to attempt .. gonna try on couple of Old Stella Harmony 12 strings …. ….in my mind, there’s been some vagueness as to how to do the carving for the final fits …and there are some great videos by others I have tried to digest ..
but yours is the first one were really all comes together for me in my mind. Great photography , great succinct explanations …I am mechanical, quite a decent carpenter …vintage bike, cars and guitars guy … collections that I need to start liquidating at age 73, …but …I’m looking forward to this project now. Thanks a ton for final motivation I needed for this … the bench is ready …Merry Christmas.to you,
RD in Michigan
With all your knowledge and experience you are the perfect candidate to tackle that neck reset. I bet if you do it with care it will come out perfect. The thing to do on those old guitars is to use hide glue and not modern glues; that way subsequent neck resets can be done trouble free. Harmony Stellas remind me of the great Leadbelly,
Thanks again
Merry Christmas and good job. I love when the German scientist takes over.😄😄Keep a sense of humor.
Happy holidays!
Get the twoodfrd heat sticks? Much thinner
Nice complete repair on that 18. That guitar warrants going the extra mile. They are light weight and sweet sounding guitars. It should be a great player for many decades. I hope your client appreciates the extra effort you tastefully provided. Well done. Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas!
It ready was a sweet sounding guitar. The neck was a nice slim taper like an electric guitar.
Nice work, thank you for sharing it
Great Job! Keep fixing those Boxes!
Thanks! Will do!
Incredible uncle❤❤❤🇮🇩🇮🇩🇮🇩🇮🇩
Great job ,you are a trades master.
Wow, thanks
Brilliant video, thank you. You answered several of my questions.
Beautiful Guitar the Martin design is timeless
Yes indeed!
Masterclass !
Solid job there
Definitely a guitar worth the work !!!!!!
Nice repair
Thanks 👍
Beautiful repair. And honest too.
Thanks 👍
Nice job!
Thank you! Cheers!
Amazing neck reset. First time I saw the polishing fret device (I've seen the device for one fret at a time).
Great stuff Scott!
Merry Christmas and relax! 🎄🎶🎄
Thanks for watching!
I had a guy bring me a D 28. He installed a strap button without drilling a pilot and it cracked the heel like the one you fixed, but the really weird thing was he put the strap button on the wrong side of the heel. Just fun stuff.
I shudder; I bet you that guitar was a gift or hand me down from someone else or he got it cheap. If he’d had to buy it I guarantee he would’ve thought it over much more carefully before doing it.
Actually, he bought it brand new. It was only about a year old when he cracked the heel. It was a pretty easy fix but he will always know when he picks the guitar up that it sustained damage. I had to plug the hole where he put the strap button on the wrong side. If someone is looking closely that will always be visible. It played and sounded good though.@@vayabroder729
Great work as always Scott thanks for the videos this year Merry Christmas to you and your family ❤ from England
Another awesome repair and rejuvenation to a 50+ year old Martin. You really are a master at this stuff, Scott, I always enjoy your videos. Thanks and Merry Christmas!
🙏
Outstanding job.
Thank you very much!
Another great save! Congratulations on your best year yet, and I'm glad my project helped contribute to it. Thanks, again, for taking on the Playtime conversion. It's a wonderful guitar. Merry Christmas, and a happy and successful 2024.
Thanks again!
Another informative and inspiring video Scott. Thank you and have a Merry Christmas.
Happy holidays!
Talk about an opportune shipping break. Still, though, could’ve been preventable. I always use the shipping principles you mentioned; slack the strings, on archtops take the bridge out and put it in the case compartment and protect the top and fingerboard from the string themselves, try to isolate the case with the guitar in it from any side of the box itself so that it is floating, wrap the headstock well and prevent it from moving inside the case, support the heel, take out end pins on acoustics and archtops if possible and protect the tops of guitars from vibrato arms and units. I’ve had a couple of instruments broken during transit. Two sad ones: A Standell 12 string with arched back (exotic brand; George Harrison had a few) and a Custom Shop Martin D-28. Sadly I got disenchanted with the Standell and didn’t keep it; how I wished you were around; would’ve kept it and sent it your way. The Martin was sent back to the factory and the repair turned out imperceptible; the shipping companies paid on both situations. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Original thru bridge and saddle would have been nice
I dropped my acoustic a couple of days ago it cracked in a similar fashion
In the late ‘80s I had s ‘61 d-18. It did not sound as nice as this one. Bought it for $800, and that’s what i sold it for. Today, I wish I had it. I’d taper those X legs down from the back of the bridge plate to the rims, and maybe the tone bars just a little. That sound just wasn’t there; no volume at all. Somebody’s prolly modded it by now. It sure didn’t have a cracked neck heel!
Happy New Year y'all! Scott I just found your link today and I immediately subscribed and totally and thoroughly was mesmerized by your talent demonstrated on this guitar repair. At one point you had mentioned about French Polish and I have a question with a little problem I need your help Expertise on if you don't mind? I have a very old semi Hollow 4005 Rickenbacker Bass guitar which somebody long ago used French Polish on it where this Polish was applied or over sprayed somehow inside the cat hole? So my question is Scott please direct me on what you would do and use to go about removing this from inside the cat hole which is on the original pristine exposed wood If I lived near by you I would be making a shop call but unfortunately that is not possible.
Please send some pictures at your earliest convenience
I Scott thank you so much for responding I'm not sure how I go about sending a picture or two for your review? Perhaps you left a link on your vlog page?@@harpethguitar
Hi Scott I just attempted to send over two pictures of the 4005 Rick with the French Polish issue I spoke about from your shop's website please let me know if you receive them? I will be awaiting your thoughts on how to remedy this problem.@@harpethguitar
I did Scott did you not get them? Please let me know? @@harpethguitar
May I ask why you did not reinforce the joint when re-gluing it ?
I glued in a dowel spanning across the crack. There are photo on my Instagram page 😇
The belt Screw start the crack point I don't like to put it their it will weaken the hard wood and Make a Split point .
Why not a second foam cutter so you don't have to drill such a big hole?
I know a lot of people try to keep those older guitars glued together if it were me I would want another neck put on it I know you do very good work but I would never trust it.
The rest of the guitar is held together with the same glue- if you trust it to hold together the top center seam, the back center seam, all the kerf lining on, the top and back to the kerf lining, every brace on the back and top, the bridge, etc… then you may as well trust it to hold the neck repair together too. Only difference here is you got to see the repair happen.
Right on
do you feel that the big ol screw in the heel was the beginning of this break? it doesn't look like it was pre-drilled. NICE JOB btw!!! was that powder post beetles in the old bridge? I just finished a mid 60's Dove with a similar break. heel block and all. I was yelling "the heel block!!!" then you saw it. Good work.
The neck really needed to be hydrated
When strings start to pull through my bridgeplates I add the balls from old strings onto the new strings.
I would say the strap screw was not ‘pilot-drilled’ when fitted, judging by the thread marks in the wood. This would cause the development of a crack…..a break was inevitable.
It had already been damaged when the wood screw was installed in the heel,never would I install a strap button on the heel for that reason but hey live and learn
Shame this kind of stuff happens. Packing an instrument for shipping is an art to be sure.
This is why you don't put a strap button on the neck.
This was done in break neck speed.
Okay, I'll see myself out :P
😂
They say that time heals all wounds, but it doesnt wound all heels....
Yah strap buttons in the neck heel should not be drilled with the grain. At an angle works better, but it is a BAD BAD place
That's one GREAT reason not to put a strap button on a vintage Martin (Gibson, etc.)... unfortunately and sadly, nowadays (actually last 20-25 years) I find this is more the rule than the exception. Just strap it at the headstock OG style!
Good point!
Wow that ain't all it needs. Looks like it has been rode hard and left out in the corral to dry. Is that pizza spatula a real luthier tool, or just repurposed?.
StewMac pallet knife (extra long)
www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/types-of-tools/chisels-and-knives/extra-long-guitar-repair-palette-knife/
The strap botton at that location is nice for the player. My buddy's Taylor had it, but its not the same neck joint. I ask a Martin repair guy to put a strap button at that location on my first Martin. He said no. Thats a terrible idea.
Ouch
All that i can say is duh.... it breaks my heart to see those stars smashing a perfectly good guitar,but this is out right blatant neglect.