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inheritance at stake-repair job
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Author:  Rod True [ Sun Mar 12, 2006 2:49 am ]
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Well, there comes a time when it's just the right thing to do to do work for free. My in-laws have some good friends who's father passed away this past year. He was a flat-picker in a little town bluegrass band near Calgary, Alberta. Well, the night he died, his basement flooded and soaked nearly everything in there, including his Seagul 12 string. Now, I know that this guitar has very little actual value to it, especially when it was submerged for 10-12 hours. But this guitar has real sentimental value to the family (especially the grandson, who is getting married this summer), so my Father-in-law and I are going to repair it.

Here are the pics.













Lots of work, should be fun.
Author:  Bobc [ Sun Mar 12, 2006 3:18 am ]
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Rod that is mighty nice of you and your father-in-law. Lots of work but it doesn't look insurmountable. I have a Seagull folk guitar that I keep at our summer place in Canada. I love that little guitar. Looking forward to pic's of the rebuild.
Author:  Michael Dale Payne [ Sun Mar 12, 2006 3:36 am ]
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Wow the maple looks very good and pretty much unstained for having been through the wringer. good job separating the back. I can't believe Seagull does a three piece x brace. All separations look clean. makes the repair easy. Well Rod I will let you get after it.
Author:  Alain Desforges [ Sun Mar 12, 2006 3:42 am ]
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You're right Rod. Sometimes a man's gotta do what a man's got to do... I'm sure those people will greatly appreciate your effort. On another positive note, that guitar will probably sound a lot better with a little 'hot-Roding' (pardon the pun!). Alain Desforges38788.4887384259
Author:  TonyKarol [ Sun Mar 12, 2006 7:52 am ]
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My first piece of advice is to take off the old X brace and toss it - now I see why almost all Seagulls after a couple years start to deform - the X has no strength to it at all using a butt joint. Make a new X, use the same dimensions, but finger joint the crossing, and put a reinforcing cap across the X arm that is cut. It will be WAY better.
Author:  Mark Swanson [ Sun Mar 12, 2006 7:52 am ]
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It gives you the chance to improve upon things, that's for sure. I'd re-brace the top with all new, really nice bracewood. Make the X-brace the way it's supposed to be. You can make yourself a smaller bridge plate as well, and considering that it is a 12 string I'd make a "musser brace" too. This would allow a smaller bridge plate, while helping keep the top flat. A little extra mass won't hurt a 12 string, either.
For the buck, Seagulls are actually pretty darn nice guitars. But I have my doubts that this one would have lasted for many years- but after you re-do it, it probably will.
Author:  Serge Poirier [ Mon Mar 13, 2006 12:21 pm ]
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That will be a very fine and noble project to enjoy Rod, i'm proud to be your friend Man! I'm also sure that this guitar, will sound twice better since it's under your care! Way to go bud!
Author:  Chas Freeborn [ Mon Mar 13, 2006 2:43 pm ]
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Doesn't look too terrible- all the parts are there. I'd say take it all apart and
glue it back together. It'll probably turn out better than new.
Kudos to you for taking it on.
-C
Author:  ATaylor [ Mon Mar 13, 2006 3:22 pm ]
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That does look like a fun project Rod. And an excellent family-building project. Enjoy, looking foward to the "after" pics!
Author:  Rod True [ Mon Mar 13, 2006 8:23 pm ]
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Thanks guys for the encouragement. I agree, I don't think it will be too difficult of a repair. I just need to convince my father-in-law to pull the top bracing and bridge plate (more like bridge plater if you ask me) and do it right.

I think he'll go for it.
Author:  Billy T [ Tue Mar 14, 2006 7:58 pm ]
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I'm with Mark, excellent opportunity to replace and rework! The X-brace looks horrible. Just tell the Father-in-law what the experts at the OLF suggested!
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