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Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
EL Kabong Takamine Rescue
This Takamine had a Pete Townshend moment on stage. Unfortunately the El Kabong administrator did not know this was a family heirloom and got carried away in the moment. This is what I started with. Kinda like doing a reverse crash analysis. You have to figure out what broke last and fiix it first in order of sequence. You also have to come up with any missing parts. This is a really nice acoustic and has a carved eagle for a pickguard. Super rare.
Before
Top Plate
Not really attached to anything any more. Massive crack and internal damage
Internal Damage
Most of the ribs on the inside of the guitar are not attached to anything and just rattle around loose. You can move them with your hand. Nifty new access hole for your hand to get in the back.
Top Plate mismatch
The side of the guitar does not line up with the top of the guitar any more. by about 1 1/2". Totally shredded.
Binding
Completely destroyed. Just a mess.
Top Plate
Top plate is disconnected around the entire bottom perimeter of the guitar.
Overhang
Remember when I borrowed your guitar for stage. Remember...
Top Plate
It is disconnected all the way to the bottom knee relief.
EL KABONG TAKAMINE RESCUE
Done
Customer is happy and satisfied. Only cost was the tape. Looks good.
EL KABONG TAKAMINE RESCUE
Top Plate Crack
Start here. First glue joint worked out well and is flat.
EL KABONG TAKAMINE RESCUE
Start of the repair
Gluing the top plate back to the rest of the guitar.
EL KABONG TAKAMINE RESCUE
New Edge
This is the new glued edge after the clamps are removed.
EL KABONG TAKAMINE RESCUE
Next Section
I will go around the entire guitar like this. Little by little and align it all as I go.
EL KABONG TAKAMINE RESCUE
New Edge
So far so good. Everything is in alignment and looks like it should. I still have to go back when I am done and refinish the top and polish.
EL KABONG TAKAMINE RESCUE
Turning the corner
I now have to remove the totaled binding and dress the slot to accept a new piece of binding. Then glue the top plate down.
EL KABONG TAKAMINE RESCUE
Binding removed
The binding is removed and top plate dressed to accept new binding.
EL KABONG TAKAMINE RESCUE
Gluing Top Plate
The last of the top plate is being glued and will be ready for the binding install.
EL KABONG TAKAMINE RESCUE
New Binding
Binding is gluing in place.
EL KABONG TAKAMINE RESCUE
New Binding
Binding is installed and looks seamless.
EL KABONG TAKAMINE RESCUE
Done
This guitar sounds as good as it looks. The project took almost 2 months as you have to let the glue cure before you move onto the next step. All the internal ribs are glued into place and everything is solid. I also did a fret level, crown and polish for good measure.
EL KABONG TAKAMINE RESCUE
Done
Check out the eagle inlay.
enjoy the show
EL KABONG TAKAMINE RESCUE
Lady luck was on my side. There is obviously a certain amount of skill involved but you need to have lady luck hanging out. Not everyone gets to have their family heirloom rescued. This one was just meant to be. It played and sounded great when I was done. Please, if you see anyone breaking their guitar on stage please call the guitar abuse hot line at 1-800-dumb-ass. This story did not have to have a happy ending but it did. Super cool Eagle.