Just recieved my new (old) guitar from auction on Ebay. It is a Harmony H-162 from 1966(my birth year). The good news-the wood looks in good condition, some finish checking, and dings, but no major cracks. The not so good news- The neck is coming lose where it joins the body, and the bridge is starting to lift. Also desperately in need of new endpins, and maybe tuners. My question for those with knowledge- Is it possible that the neck could be reglued and clamped, or is most likely in need of a neck reset(The guitar has a steel reinforced neck no trussrod) I am hoping the action will be lowered some from where it is. Am hoping the bridge will be relatively cheap to fix. It looks like this could be a nice little guitar with some work. Was just hoping not to have to put much more than $300 at present into it to bring it up to playability. Im probably a fool for putting the money into it, but love the idea of having an older guitar, and is made from all solid woods. From playing it as much as I could the guitar has a nice tone to it. Patrick
For a neck to be properly glued, it has to be removed. If removing, your repair guy might as well go ahead and refit the dovetail to give proper action. A bridge reglue is generally cheap and simple. Endpins are never 'desperately' required.
E. Shoaf
Ratishna said well. Before to glue parts, you have to remove them completely, clean well both the part to being glued and the top or side or what else.
Same story for the neck, either if dovetail or screwed.
Thanks for the information! I willhave to check out how expensive it will be because the guitar was less than a couple hundred dollars. The endpins are needed desperately because one is broken completely the others are made of a very cheap plastic and have deteriorated so much when i pull them out will all probably break. May have to contact unclrob to see what can be done on it! Patrick
Patrick,
Why don't you PM unclrob? He may be able to do the needed repairs.
Everything that Eric posted is what is needed.Replacing the bridge pins is no big deal.A neck set is.I would offer to assist but at this time I don't have the space to do neck sets.Prices vary greatly for this job anywhere from $300 to $600.On most older Harmony's and Kay's its almost required.This is a chunk of money you will need to think real hard on before you spend it.If it was an old friend I'm still not sure I would spend the dime.
Unclrob, thanks for the post. Been doing some research and it looks like Subway guitars out of Berkley does some repairs as well as sells old Harmony's Kays, etc. I have contacted them and wil probably go that route-not sure if get guitar fixed or trade in on something of theirs. Thanks everyone for all the help and keeping this the friendliest forum around!! Patrick