Guitar Repair: Martin 000 Eric Clapton
This is a bit of a self-indulgent post, but I was so pleased that I needed to tell someone.
I had taken in a Martin Eric Clapton signature model (picture posed by model, left), and the lacquer was separating all along the back of the neck. Because it was a nitrocellulose lacquer finish, I was able [...]
Broken Headstocks, Snapped Guitar Necks and My Solution
by Jim · Leave a Comment
As a guitar repairman I glue a lot of headstocks back onto guitar necks. Often the guitar has been dropped or has fallen and the headstock has snapped.
Why Gibson Sucks Right Now
by Jim · 6 Comments
Not my favourite brand this week, but in the interests of impartiality I will begin with a list of what I like about Gibson.
The Good:
Gibson is without doubt one of the most important and innovative brands when it comes to fretted instruments.
Gibson has made the world’s most sought after banjos and mandolins.
The Gibson Les Paul [...]
Guitar Repair: refurbishing a 1969 Gibson SG
by Jim · 7 Comments
Sometimes it’s hard to believe what is on my desk. Gibson only made SGs with front accessible controls in 1969. It should have a bigsby trem, and a scratchplate.
It should also have a fingerboard. What a mess. This customer bought the guitar as is, as he knew that this could be a very valuable guitar [...]
Guitar Repair: fret job on a 1970s Gibson Heritage
by Jim · Leave a Comment
There is a lot of satisfaction to be gained from an excellent fret job – both for the player, and the luthier. It is always a pleasure to work upon an instrument that is evidently well-played and well-loved. At the Jim Fleeting Guitars workshop, partial and complete refrets are a staple of our day-to-day repair [...]
Hello. My name is Jim Fleeting. At my workshop in Ripon, North Yorkshire, I create custom guitars and basses for customers around the UK and Europe. The Guardian describes me as one of the UK’s leading luthiers, which is nice of them. I built the UK’s first nine string bass and popped up in Guitarist and Guitar & Bass magazine, after winning an award from the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust. I also head Jim Fleeting Guitars’ thriving repair shop.