Work Page 5-19
Gibson U-Harp
This is an example, in excellent condition

Pristine Example!!!
Gibson Style 'U' Harp Guitar
10 sub bass strings.
Top was previously sectioned out and repaired with bracing/Yellow glue
Repair is solid, but not pretty in the inside
Some new cracks have appeared in the top, I will Splint/Cleat them
OHSC in good condition
TUNING
Gibson, 1908-1920s
10 bass
A#-1 B-1 C C# D D# F F# G G#
E A D G B E
INITIAL PICS
10 sub bass strings.
Top was previously sectioned out and repaired with bracing/Yellow glue
Repair is solid, but not pretty in the inside
Some new cracks have appeared in the top, I will Splint/Cleat them
OHSC in good condition
TUNING
Gibson, 1908-1920s
10 bass
A#-1 B-1 C C# D D# F F# G G#
E A D G B E
INITIAL PICS
REPAIR PICS

When top was sectioned, extension was cut away

Heavy oxidation, and celluloid Bridge pin holders are long gone

I will be creating something in this fashion

You can see the yellow assembly glue squeeze here

Light cracks are new ones

The 2 with stain around them are the old repairs

Pointing at sectioning areas

I will address all of these maladies

FON# on neck block

Prepping for splice wood

Splices in, leveling up

Will insert a fret and dress, clean board and oil

Prepping for top finish, will go to the dark Maroon to hide repairs

This will be the new top look

Frets drssed, board oiled, taking on finish

Starting the cleaning process on the tailpiece.

one more coat for the top and then on to the sides

Last block sanding

Back and sides over coat complete

Sealing heel break, I will add 2 dowel pins thru the crack from the top

Creating a tailpiece section from 2 pieces of acyrlic

Channels routed, bails sealed into top half

Now for the bottom section

Ready to rout

After clamping, shaping, sanding, next will be tortoise covering

Faux Tortoise Finish applied, starting the bridge pin tapers

I will bring them on down a bit, then trim the excess


Thin veneer cracked, sealing with #10 CA, then dye/finish

Just a very light finish, to match the older look

Hardware cleaned and oiled, only a couple of paper washers to repair/re-use
ASSEMBLY


New bone nut, buffed and waxed

Cutting celluloid to make Pick guard blocks

Acetone melt/press, sand/polish

Drilled and screwed, ready for arm

Using 3/16 Bamboo.Strong and light

Tinted Lacquer applied

I have black /white laminate in stock .

After contouring, Adding the brackets

This will suffice, and I can always do one in Tortoid if requested
SETUP

Prep for bridge base contour to top

Starting to mark the high spots

Getting there

I will make a permanent bridge after setup

Ready to string up.

Determining spacing will be next

Having to load from underside, ball is too big for std.pin hole

It is fairly close after 12 hrs, not for the faint of heart!!.
FINAL PICS
Finishing bridge, added bone to 6 string side
Removed some wood from the bottom on 6 string side
CASE WORK
Old handle shot, making another vintage one work.
Sealed and dyed
Mounted to the case
Inside blown out and wiped clean
MORE TO FOLLOW