My baby's back!

A few weeks ago, one of the machine heads on the F340 fell to bits when I removed the string to restring the guitar. So, I took it to a local technician (Ken Cookson).

The deal was as simple as I usually manage. I had the existing machine heads (which I never really liked, as they were loose and did not always pull straight) removed, and the existing holes in the headstock drilled out and filled. The machine heads from a Gremlin which was also in bad condition were then fitted to the Yamaha.

In return, Mr. Cookson got the Gremlin. This was damaged stock I got half price from Johnny Roadhouse. It had been dropped on its strap button, and I thought that it had got away with cracked veneer on the sound board. Unfortunately, some of the internal bracing must have been broken, and over time, the sound board pulled up and away from the bottom bout, so that the action became progressively higher. When it became like playing an egg slicer, I put it to one side. My best wishes to Mr. Cookson.

The Yamaha sounds as magnificent as it ever has, and holds its tuning better thanks to the new machine heads. It is now a true "bitzer". I intend it to be buried with me.