Reviving and old friend: Gurian neck reset

[jwhitcomb3]

My 1978 Gurian S3M is my oldest guitar. I bought it in 1992, and have bought and sold many, many guitars since, but this one has stayed with me. I was living in North Carolina at the time, but since moving to New Hampshire in 1995, I've taken pleasure in owning a guitar made in my home state. Sadly, Michael Gurian stopped making guitars in the 80s  due to a shop fire and a recession, but his 5000 or so instruments have become justifiably sought after.

After 30 years, it is not uncommon for a well played acoustic guitar to be ready for a neck reset, and mine was no  exception. The neck had bowed up and various guitar techs over the years cranked the hell out of the truss rod and filed down the bridge saddle to compensate. But it was finally time for the operation - actually, it was due a few years ago. I found this photo essay of a Gurian reset, and realized that this procedure would be best performed by someone with knowledge, experience, and a specialized tool set for Gurians.

A month back a friend from Massachusetts and I decided to swap guitars, and we met at a halfway point between us, Brattleboro VT. Maple Leaf Music is a wonderful guitar shop there. Since my Gurian was made just across the river in Hinsdale NH, and knowing that Froggy Bottom founder Michael Millard had worked at Gurian's shop, I asked to folks at Maple Leaf if they knew anyone who had experience resetting Gurian necks.

Boy, did they! Their house repairman is Tucker Barrett, known for his hand built electric violins, is a good friend of Michael Gurian's, and knows many of the former Gurian builders. He has all the neck resetting tools, and has performed the operation many times. He's also a really nice guy.

I returned to Brattleboro the following week with my Gurian, and just got it back today. He'd reset the neck, repaired and re-glued the Brazilian rosewood bridge, planed the ebony fingerboard, refretted it, shimmed the saddle slot to save what was left of the original ivory saddle, reworked the ivory nut, and installed a K&K pickup. (He also repaired my mother's violin.) I've just finished playing it for two hours. Wow! It plays so much better now, and the sound is wonderful. The setup is amazing...it's like a new guitar!

If anyone is looking for an excellent guitar repairman in northern New England, Tucker's your guy. And if you've been on the fence about a neck reset on a well loved old guitar, go for it!

-Jonathan

[unclrob]

Jonathan Thank you for this one comment,"it's like a new guitar!".Refrets,neck resets and even refrets do make the guitar "New".I deal with a lot of people who don't understand that commet.Everytime I do major work I inform the client that when they get it back it back it won't be like it was when dropped off.Almost all have no concept,it will play different and feel different.Please add that shop and repairman to our growing list of tech's/luthiers in the tech section.


CONGRATS on reviving and old friend back to a productive  new life.

PS:pix would be cool.

[tadol]

PS:pix would be cool.

[ncognito]

Johnathan--

Thanks for sharing your experience.  I tend to put things off, but reading your post has reinforced my resolve to drop my Lowden off for a check-up next Sunday.  I've never played a Gurian, but have heard very good things.  If I'm not mistaken they are revered as great fingerstyle guitars in spite of the fact(?) that they're predominatly 1 and11/16" at the nut.  What's the neck profile like? 

I would also like to see some photos.

       DAVE

[jwhitcomb3]

Sorry for posting without photos!

Here's a nice shot of the bearclaw above the soundhole:



More Here

I'm not much good at describing neck profiles. It feels like an electric guitar neck (a moderately beefy electric guitar neck). I play a wide range of styles, and while it isn't roomy, there's enough space for me. When I need more width, I turn to my Lowden or Huss & Dalton. But for the better part of the year, those have been living in my closet. The Gurian doesn't jump out at you: it isn't flashy looking and it isn't overly loud. It is quite balanced, and seems to handle whatever I throw at it. I guess what I notice most is that more than any other guitar, listeners exclaim what a great sounding guitar it is. It also records very well. It's a good team player: doesn't steal the spotlight but sounds good in support of the song. I wouldn't choose it for solo guitar work, but great to accompany vocals.

I wish I could come out and say "this guitar is the best at XXXXX" but it's just a good all around player. It has been with me for 18 years, and no other guitar has.

-Jonathan

[mgbgt]

 
had heard of and always wanted to try a gurian but never found one.

also did the neck reset procedure. Sent my Ovation legend 12 string to the mothership in new hartford for the job. Couldn't be happier with the outcome also

Enjoy!

[Zohn]

  Great thread - congratulations with your "new" guitar Jonathan.

I particularly enjoyed the photo essay from the Frets.com link. Not as involved as a glued dove tail joint re-set, but still a lot of know-how and skill required.
Watching this I am pleased that I chose the adjustable joint for my OM - it requires a mere twitch of the lower neck bolt (with strings on) for a reset of the neck.
My daughter will love me for it one day...

Oh, I love the look of your guitar, have you got some more pics of it?