Refurbish Instruments or Buy/Make New?

Subject: Refurbish Instruments or Buy/Make New?
From: GUEST,Whitewater
Date: 08 Nov 02 - 03:06 PM

Curious to know opinions regarding older instruments. Some people think it's better to just go and make or buy a new one (ie, a stringed instrument) rather than attempt to fix up an old one. Me personally, I'll always try to refurbish, since I believe it's a sin to just pitch an older instrument, merely because it's old and has been neglected.

Thoughts?

Whitewater

Subject: RE: Refurbish Instruments or Buy/Make New?
From: Willie-O
Date: 08 Nov 02 - 03:10 PM

If it was a quality instrument and is feasible to fix, that's always the right thing to do. And generally cost-effective.

If it wasn't a good instrument to start with, there's no point in trying to do a major overhaul.

Subject: RE: Refurbish Instruments or Buy/Make New?
From: Bert
Date: 09 Nov 02 - 01:20 AM

I'm with you all the way Whitewater. I just love tinkering with instruments that I pick up at thrift stores. I've got a couple of working guitars that I can knock about and even maybe take on camping trips.

Also, I've just renovated an old Koch Chromatic harmonica that I picked up for less than $5. I got much more than five dollars worth of fun just out of taking it apart and seeing how it works.

Subject: RE: Refurbish Instruments or Buy/Make New?
From: Midchuck
Date: 09 Nov 02 - 11:11 AM

Willie-O is right, IMO, except that fixing up instruments that were el cheapos in the first place, while it doesn't make economic sense, may be the best way to learn to do the work, with no risk. Then you can go on to fix up ones that are worth fixing up.

P.

Subject: RE: Refurbish Instruments or Buy/Make New?
From: Tweed
Date: 09 Nov 02 - 02:51 PM

Absolutely correct Midchuck. If you're gonna play something you might as well learn how it's made. I've redone a few elcheapo guitars and one mandolin and had a blast tearing them down, sanding, re fretting, glueing, etc. just to see if I could make them play and hold tune again. Cheapo is a great way to learn the inner workings of these magic things we play upon. And on the mystical side, you're able to bond a little deeper with a so-called inanimate object. Head on down to the local flea market and pick out the worst looking sow's ear you can find. Everyone needs a good winter time project.

Subject: RE: Refurbish Instruments or Buy/Make New?
From: Genie
Date: 09 Nov 02 - 03:38 PM

Actually, there was a related discussion on this topic a few weeks back
HERE

Subject: RE: Refurbish Instruments or Buy/Make New?
From: Rolfyboy6
Date: 09 Nov 02 - 03:49 PM

I'm with Tweed, the only way to learn this stuff is working on cheapos. And sometimes you get good/fortunate and there is a significant improvement in sound/tone. Also, there are cheapos which greatly benefit from upgrades--for instance, the Japanese instruments of the late 60s and early 70s before their luthiers got really good. I've seen some of the over braced ones come alive with their braces shaved, decent bridge plates etc. And this is very true of the Japanese electrics too-- a bridge transplant and a pickup transplant can give a very decent instrument for lower bucks. Folkies should also check out some of the Department Store and Japanese F hole models for fixer-uppers.

Subject: RE: Refurbish Instruments or Buy/Make New?
From: CraigS
Date: 09 Nov 02 - 05:50 PM

I agree with all of the above, but be careful - when I was learning I ruined a couple of valuable instruments - they were so cheap I didn't know what I had got. I've seen a couple of other cases where this has happened. On the other hand, I once walked into a repairman's shop and found a guitar for sale that I had repaired. I'd fixed the top crack so well he didn't know it was there - biggest compliment I could ever get!