Douglass
05-14-2007, 11:00 AM
Hi Dave,
Time for another "Thank you", but in a different department.
I recently sent you my '69 Ramirez cedar top flamenco guitar because it had developed a rather lengthy crack along the treble edge of the tap plate. The top also had some minor cosmetic issues with multiple nicks and dings. Part of the rosette area looked "damaged", but this was apparently the result of someone applying an extension of the tap plate to the base side and perhaps smearing glue onto the rosette.
The plan was to remove the old tap plate [and string guard], repair the crack, and dress out the top. I mentioned that I was not requiring absolute perfection regarding the work to be done on the top, just a clean-up that would not threaten the integrity of this highly prized guitar.
Well, I received my Ramirez today and when I opened the case I was stunned!
It looked BEAUTIFUL ... ABSOLUTELY GEORGEOUS!
The top looked virtually brand new - the color was totally homogeneous and the surface was smooth and glassy. While the repaired crack was visible, it was clearly solid and stable. All of the old nicks, dings, and nail marks were gone. A new, broader clear tap plate in the shape I specified covered the crack area and presumably offers added reinforcement to the repair. A new string guard was in place and all of the old string dings under the old string guard were gone. How nice!
And, Dave, as you noted when you spent some time playing it after all of the work was completed, the wonderful deep, rich, mellow tone of this magnificent guitar was totally intact.
Needless to say, I am more then happy and extremely pleased with your help and the workmanship of your resident luthier. Please extend my personal "Thank you" to him for a job very well done.
Mil gracias y mas, Dave.
Regards,
Doug
Time for another "Thank you", but in a different department.
I recently sent you my '69 Ramirez cedar top flamenco guitar because it had developed a rather lengthy crack along the treble edge of the tap plate. The top also had some minor cosmetic issues with multiple nicks and dings. Part of the rosette area looked "damaged", but this was apparently the result of someone applying an extension of the tap plate to the base side and perhaps smearing glue onto the rosette.
The plan was to remove the old tap plate [and string guard], repair the crack, and dress out the top. I mentioned that I was not requiring absolute perfection regarding the work to be done on the top, just a clean-up that would not threaten the integrity of this highly prized guitar.
Well, I received my Ramirez today and when I opened the case I was stunned!
It looked BEAUTIFUL ... ABSOLUTELY GEORGEOUS!
The top looked virtually brand new - the color was totally homogeneous and the surface was smooth and glassy. While the repaired crack was visible, it was clearly solid and stable. All of the old nicks, dings, and nail marks were gone. A new, broader clear tap plate in the shape I specified covered the crack area and presumably offers added reinforcement to the repair. A new string guard was in place and all of the old string dings under the old string guard were gone. How nice!
And, Dave, as you noted when you spent some time playing it after all of the work was completed, the wonderful deep, rich, mellow tone of this magnificent guitar was totally intact.
Needless to say, I am more then happy and extremely pleased with your help and the workmanship of your resident luthier. Please extend my personal "Thank you" to him for a job very well done.
Mil gracias y mas, Dave.
Regards,
Doug