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Guitar Restorations: 1935 Martin D18, Part 1: Neck and Bridge World-class guitar experts at Nashville's Gruhn Guitars begin restoration of a classic 1935 Martin guitar. From "Handmade Music" episode DHMM-303

(Continued from page 1)

Figure F

Martin D18 Guitar: Body Deconstruction and Bridge Restoration

Andy's Jellison's D18 restoration is on the fast track now. In addition to removing and replacing the bridge plate under the guitar's top, he fashions a perfect replica of an ebony bridge. It takes plenty of time and effort but for a pre-war Martin it's worth it.

Steps:

• Andy Jellison removes the unoriginal pick guard (figure F) from the Martin's top. Extreme care should accompany this step. The spruce under the pick guard is quite delicate.

• With a heat lamp Andy releases the glue holding the guitar's bridge to the body. A putty knife slides between the two and gently pops the bridge off the top.
  

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• A custom made saw is used to cut away the interior bridge plate. If the plate were original it would be left alone. This one is not. In fact it's the wrong size, the wrong wood and the wrong glue connects it to the body. Andy finds rosewood held on with epoxy, and that makes this step much tougher than it should be. Eventually Andy removes small sections of the plate one piece at a time.

• Andy sands the surface inside the guitar where the new bridge plate will go.
  

• Now Andy uses a template from an original Martin bridge plate to cut a new maple replica for the D18. A band saw makes the cut.

• A pot of hide glue is heated up and Andy slathers the bridge plate with the proper glue. He then sets the bridge plate in place and secures the bond with clamps.

• Andy uses the original bridge as a template to scribe an outline onto a new ebony blank. He cuts the shape with a band saw, and refines it with a series of files and power sanders.

• Again the hide glue is warmed up and placed on the top of the guitar surface. After the bridge is set precisely into place it's secured with clamps.

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GUESTS:

George Gruhn
Proprietor, Gruhn Guitars
Nashville, Tenn.
www.gruhn.com

Andy Jellison, Vintage Instrument Repair Specialist
Gruhn Guitars
Nashville, Tenn.
www.gruhn.com