The Guitar Gallery Forums - The Guitar Legacy of Matsumoku

Small BUMP...
Well, I finally got off the pot and ordered a GE Smith bridge to replace this miserable Dano design!




The plan is to take the guitar to work tomorrow and do the swap there. Much easier to work on a proper bench instead of the kitchen table, and we're expecting a snow storm which will likely slow down the usual customer flow.

The string spread matches up perfectly, and of course I'll finally be able to intonate the bloody guitar, as well as adjust the string height which has been the real problem here. Stay tuned. Film at eleven...or thereabouts.

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"A little song, a little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." -Chuckles the Clown
Guitars: https://legend.barryeames.com
Music/Pix/Videos: https://getback.barryeames.com

As advertised, I took the Dano to the shop today. Here she is on my workbench:


That big snow storm that was supposed to hit us, didn't. So the shop became busy (for me at least) with several repairs and I didn't have the expected leisurely day I had anticipated. I had to put the work aside until later in the day and unfortunately didn't have time to take pictures of her all strung up (battery ran out too!). But here are some camera phone shots (I know, I know) of the early stages:




All in all, the installation went smoothly and uneventfully. The new bridge doesn't completely cover the two original screw holes, there is still about 3-4 mm peeking out from the side, but they're not terribly noticeable and I'm not going to worry my pretty little head over it---hey, it's a Dano fer cryin' out loud!

One question was answered though...there ain't nuthin' under the bridge but air! Yup, those screws are held in place strictly via their bite into the Masonite top!! (You can see the "dust" from the drilling in the first picture)

I found that out even before drilling actually. When I attempted to fill the original holes the glue kept disappearing! I finally figured out that it was wide open, and resorted to my favourite repair to fill the hole: toothpicks & glue!

I only had a few minutes at the end of the work day to quickly check her out but first impressions are great! Should have done it sooner but I didn't want to screw up the "vintage vibe" of that rosewood bridge. In fact she is a little brighter sounding, more Tele-like, but I like it.

This bridge is a keeper and I'm thinking of installing one on my recently acquired Squier Tele Custom II as well!
Recommended.

_________________
"A little song, a little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." -Chuckles the Clown
Guitars: https://legend.barryeames.com
Music/Pix/Videos: https://getback.barryeames.com

I mention "The Shop" where I work from time to time in my posts, and I thought for those who may be curious, you might like a peek at some of the stuff contained therein. Again, these are grab shots with the phone camera so not the best, but you'll get some idea of what I'm forced to look at all day long!

Taylors on top, Martins on bottom...a few Gibsons at the end:

GIbsons Epi's and Marshalls (Oh my!):

Canadian made Art & Lutherie and Seagull (Godin):

Gretsch! Strats wa-a-a-y down the end and on other side (with Teles):

Vox amps & misc amps--more Art & Lutherie and Seagull (Godin). You can get a peek through the window at the adjacent room which has miscellaneous new and used guitars, amps, and basses:

Not me. My 'boss' and store owner, Bob (seated) with the Fender rep' :


http://www.guitarsnamps.ca/
Cheers!

_________________
"A little song, a little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." -Chuckles the Clown
Guitars: https://legend.barryeames.com
Music/Pix/Videos: https://getback.barryeames.com

Now THAT`S an eviroment!

It's a mixed blessing right now Jesper. It's a great environment alright, no place else a guitar lover would want to be I guess.
But all that candy and my left hand is still sloppy as hell from the stroke.
I can fix 'em but can't play 'em like I used to...unless you like "cowboy songs"

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"A little song, a little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." -Chuckles the Clown
Guitars: https://legend.barryeames.com
Music/Pix/Videos: https://getback.barryeames.com

Nice work on the bridge Barry!

As for the snow storm... you missed it, I got it!... seems like 2 feet of snow just fell on us yesterday.

Nice store.... looks like my home..

P.

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MAA Member since June 29th 2009, taking one baby step at a time..... and failing miserably!

Barry ol mate. I feel your frustration n pain, Knowing how to...but not being able to...geez man...that is one serious upgoin hill...

Dunno if i ever told you but me pickin the guitar up again after 25 friggin yrs was due to a neck injury(i´m an ol martial arts guy). In my case due to discs being dislocated in my neck,and that some serious pain bro.
Anyways. As such i couldn´t really do what i do for a living at the time and by pure chance an old friend stopped by n shoved an ol Gibson studio in my lap. Being full of myself i thought that...i can do this.
Judge my surprise when the harddrive was completely,to the letter,blank. I couldn´t even remember the seven base chords. Well...nuthin much else to do at the time and having the personality of an ol goat...one thing led to another and after approx e year or so(neck injury all gone by then)...i reentered the stage after 25yrs of abscence and that with flyin colours. From thereon out...it´s evolved again bit by bit... The rest of it as they say is history.

I guess what im tryin to say is that theres a time for everything...and if yer mindset is all there..you´ll be able to again. I have NO doubts what so ever as far as that goes Barry. And...if there´s anything us guys can do to assist...just say so.

Thanks Jesper.
It's concern and support from guys like you on these forums and regular customers in the shop that keeps me going. Only another player really understands the frustration, and only another stroke survivor understands the struggle with things like fatigue which really affects everything you do.

Still, it's better than the 'alternative', eh?

_________________
"A little song, a little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." -Chuckles the Clown
Guitars: https://legend.barryeames.com
Music/Pix/Videos: https://getback.barryeames.com

Just grabbed a few pix of the Dano all strung up:
Posed in front of a Pierre-inspired white door




Very nice to play, and comfortable to rest yer palm on too. Didn't change the sound much at all...um, except that in my haste to string 'er up I threw on 9's instead of 10's Even tho' she's an F-scale geetar I find the the 9's are a tad sloppy. Oh well, so are my fingers right now too so it's a match!

_________________
"A little song, a little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." -Chuckles the Clown
Guitars: https://legend.barryeames.com
Music/Pix/Videos: https://getback.barryeames.com

Great work with the door Barry.
You have set a new standard by having the chord chart stuck in the photo.
Let's see if the others can match it

Good work with the guitar as well

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You can never have too many guitars