1920’s Majestic Flattop Restoration

This is a Majestic Flat Top from the 1920’s that my great grandfather built while in Lyndhurst, NJ.  When I found it, it was in horrible shape and needed quite a bit of restoration.  I started the restoration at my home bench before I moved to the Monroe Street shop and eventually finished it in Monroe Street a few months later.

Here’s the instrument when I first got it. Lots of bad repairs and it was falling apart.

I pulled off the neck. The neck joint was more like a violin joint then a guitar dovetail.

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The main issue was it had been strung with steel strings but was never braced for it.

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I carefully removed all the old bracing.

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Then the parts from the top were removed.

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Now the top cracks could be addressed.

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The back was laminated with a flamed mahogany that was somewhat going to need replacing. Matching it was an issue.

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I pulled off what needed replacement and hoped to save the rest.

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The label was in terrible condition but I needed to save it the best I can

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I carefully pulled the back apart and needed to rebrace it for more strength.

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Now rebraced and reinforced.

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The center strip was now replaced.  The old one disintegrated over the years.

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I could now start rebracing the top.

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Now rebraced and the cracks reinforced.

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The parts could now go back on the top.

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Attaching the new kerfing to support the back.

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The back is now glued on and new binding is put on.

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Neck reattached and new frets installed.

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All done!

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And the back too…

 

 

 

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