| 1923 Gibson Snakehead Mandolin: Basic Set-Up and Wood-Replacement Repair |
| Bill Baldock, repair technician Nashville's Gruhn Guitars, performs restoration work on a vintage Gibson mandolin. |
From "Handmade Music"
episode DHMM-304 |
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- First Bill Baldock cleans the surface with a ball cutter to remove and/or smooth jagged edges.
- From a similar sample of maple Bill cuts a "patch" to cover the hole. He just scraps a sliver from his sample using a chisel. This section is essentially a veneer to cover the hole.
The hole is actually filled with the aid of a maple plug whittled sharp to fit the tapered gap that once housed a screw (figure D). A chisel cuts the plug flush with the surface of the mandolin's back. After applying standard wood glue on top of the plug Bill lays the veneer across the hole. The sliver of maple is barely as thick as a sheet of paper, but even that is too thick. Bill shaves away extra stock with a chisel (figure E) until it appears that the maple back only has missing finish.
The raw maple is treated to a special mix of paint (figure F) until it's finish matches that of the mandolin. Once it does Bill takes it to the spray booth at Gruhn Guitars for a good dose of lacquer (figure G). Bill adds strings and plays the mandolin. Adjustments are made to the stings' action based on this test drive. Eventually the instrument is good as new or better than new since the age of an instrument adds a quality that new instruments can't match.
RESOURCES :
Gruhn Guitars
Nashville, Tennessee
www.gruhn.com
GUESTS :
George Gruhn
Proprietor, Gruhn Guitars
Nashville, Tenn.
www.gruhn.com
Bill Baldock, Vintage Instrument Repair Specialist
Gruhn Guitars
Nashville, Tenn.
www.gruhn.com
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