So my department head picked up a guitar last week and has asked my to take a look at it. It is an “Eko”, made in Italy. Needs a fret level, neck and bridge adjustment for starters. Further more the pots my need replacing? They are pretty scratchy.
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So my department head picked up a guitar last week and has asked my to take a look at it. It is an “Eko”, made in Italy. Needs a fret level, neck and bridge adjustment for starters. Further more the pots my need replacing? They are pretty scratchy.
It’s a bit hard to photograph under lights, but check out the neck. I’m told it’s 1960’s.
Nice looking piece, I’ve not seen that shape before.
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Cool as. The switching is very reminiscent of Hagströms from the same era.
There’s not much meat left on some of these frets. Check out the 13th here. Levelling is going take some work, would it be better to remove the worst of the frets and replace them, then level? Not a job I’ve done before and as it’s someone else’s guitar i’d Feel terrible about causing damage due to inexperienced.
I assume the shape implies the bight out of the bottom is so you sit with it between your legs, like a classical player or Joe Pass.Quote:
Originally Posted by I’ll give it a go
It has a truss rod cover, which I believe makes it pre 1965, following which the adjustment moved to the opposite end of the neck. But how do you adjust it when the hole is round? I’m a little perplexed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sonic Mountain
Some of those frets definitely look like they need replacing. I haven't done that job either yet, but a few guys on here have. Allegedly not as scary as it seems.
Have you tried sticking an allen key in that hole? perhaps the rod adjustment itself is further in? or maybe its supposed to have a nut on top there? Might need to get the strings off and shine a light in there to see if there are any more clues.
Hiya DM,
StewMac have a number of videos where Dan Erlewine goes through replacing worn frets on vintage instruments. I'd watch a couple of those to see if you think its something you want to try and tackle.
Looking at that 13th, re levelling is going to be a difficult proposition, i would think re-fretting is the best option.
If it's something you think you can handle and you have enough fret tooling to do it effectively, then have a bash at it. Though i would perhaps practice on one of your own first. From memory you have a neck experiment on which you could hone your technique?
I've done a bit of this sort of stuff, with care and patience it can be done with minimal tools, but you will need a decent set of fret nippers to get under the fret crown, fret board protectors and some good small diamond files to shape the end of the fretwire where it goes over the binding.
I think PBG carry all of these things in the web store?
Quote:
Originally Posted by DarkMark
The nightmarish thought is that it was a traditional style, where there is a shaped washer under a nut, that is supposed to engage on a thread extending out of that hole. The middle type in the below:
Attachment 31417
If that is the case, there should be something sticking out of that hole, which there is not, and your friend may have some bigger guitar related issues.
I seriously hope its not that scenario.
Hi SM and FW, yep, I tried Allen keys with no joy. The inner hole seems to be as round as a rissole.
I do have the neck I could practice on with the fret replacement, but with all the other symptoms this patient is presenting with I’m starting to think the owner should take it in to a proper guitar tech who knows what we are dealing with here. I would hate to make a mess of something as old as this, especially as it is not mine. From looking at these pictures I suspect we may be dealing with the traditional truss rod style.
I think I’ll swing by the local music shop today and see if they have anything to contribute.
Ok, so the guitar tech suspects the truss rod has been broken and the adjustment part thrown away. Remove fret board, replace truss rod, re-fret, possibly replace purfling and refinish neck on the cards. At least I have a contact who is experienced with restoring guitars of this vintage. I not about to attempt this for the first time on the boss’s guitar. Up to him now if he wants to spend the money. I think it’s requiring more work then he expected.
There you go folks, something to check before you purchase a second hand guitar. Buyer beware.
Yowsa. That's a tough, potentially expensive, lesson to learn for your boss.
At least he can see that you are looking out for him. I think the re-fret was probably doable, but once you start talking removing boards, especially with vintage axes and bindings and what not a whole new level of complexity is broached. Good to know your limits some times.
Could not agree more, FW. Now how do I break the news to him? Email, or wait until the end of my shift?Quote:
Originally Posted by FrankenWashie
Hah. If it were me I’d be glad you found out and told me. At least you can tell him it’s fixable.
Yeah +1 on that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sonic Mountain
DarkMark, “What would you like first, the good news or the bad news?”
Boss, “Umm, the good news.”
DarkMark, “Well....I’ve got a contact number for someone to help you with all the bad news I’m about to give you.”
Ouch. How did the conversation go from there?
The good news may be that it's worth fixing... Ekos are really cool and unique. I have a beautiful old case from one that I plan to use for a strat... Better than the Fender cases of the same era. Bad news is....
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He took it in good spirit. He is going to follow up the contact I was given. I believe he got it for a good price so he’s got bit of a buffer for spending some money on it.Quote:
Originally Posted by FrankenWashie
What’s the bad news?Quote:
Originally Posted by fender3x
It needs a new truss rod.
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