My vintage tiple project

Skitzic

Skitzic

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I just picked up this 1920's (possible Regal?) tiple. It needs quite a bit of work, I'm not even sure if it's fixable. It would need a new bridge and nut. Someone swapped out the nut for a hunk of wood made for 4 strings. They also filed 4 slots into the bridge for the strings. Neck is straight, but needs to be reset (obviously). Frets are really worn, they would most likely need to be replaced as well. A chunk of bracing fell off, it's the one right above the sound hole. The plastic around the sound hole is falling off, and the cracks are all pretty bad. I figure the crack on the back can be repaired, but I'm not sure about the top. The big crack goes all the way through, and it looks like it may go under the bridge (which has obviously been reset).

Thoughts?

I've just linked to the photos, they're all quite large.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn5/Skitzic/Tiple%20Project/DSCN0251.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn5/Skitzic/Tiple%20Project/DSCN0252.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn5/Skitzic/Tiple%20Project/DSCN0257.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn5/Skitzic/Tiple%20Project/DSCN0258.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn5/Skitzic/Tiple%20Project/DSCN0259.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn5/Skitzic/Tiple%20Project/DSCN0260.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn5/Skitzic/Tiple%20Project/DSCN0261.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn5/Skitzic/Tiple%20Project/DSCN0262.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn5/Skitzic/Tiple%20Project/DSCN0263.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn5/Skitzic/Tiple%20Project/DSCN0264.jpg
 
Aloha Skitzic,
Thanks for sharing, it's a beautiful triple and I too think it should be restored and played. As for the most serious problem the neck,
it just looks like the bonding agent failed. It looks very clean there and should be no problem...As for the overall condition, it looks
remarkable....are you sure it's from the 20's???? Anyways I think it may cost several hundred for the restoration, but it looks like
a keeper and a fun ukulele too! I think you're the perfect person for this one....Keep us informed of your progress with it and
Good Luck in finding a good luthier to do the job!!! MM Stan...
 
mm stan said:
Aloha Skitzic,
Thanks for sharing, it's a beautiful triple and I too think it should be restored and played. As for the most serious problem the neck,
it just looks like the bonding agent failed. It looks very clean there and should be no problem...As for the overall condition, it looks
remarkable....are you sure it's from the 20's???? Anyways I think it may cost several hundred for the restoration, but it looks like
a keeper and a fun ukulele too! I think you're the perfect person for this one....Keep us informed of your progress with it and
Good Luck in finding a good luthier to do the job!!! MM Stan...
Click to expand...

I'm not really sure how old it is. The guy I bought it from knew his stuff (at least he appeared to. I know enough to spot an idiot but I am no expert) and he said it was made in 27. I have to admit I'm a little clueless where I should take it. I know I don't want to take it to the dink at Guitar Villa (he told me I should buy some kind of towel hook at Home Depot and use finishing nails to put a strap peg on my uke). Should I try to find a vintage repair person? Should I just wander around guitar shops until I find someone who doesn't seem like a dink? I've never tried to get major repairs like this done before. I'm prepared to put out a chunk of change to get it repaired. The cheapest one I've seen for sale was 900, and that was in about the same shape as mine is...I will keep you informed!
 
Check out the major guitar shops in your area or look in the phone book and call them and ask if they do repairs..
I'm sure Pennsylvania has some great ones...Martin company...HMM Never hurts to ask....MM Stan...
 
There is a Martin repair person not too far away, but I'm not sure he works in a store. I emailed a 'vintage restoration specialist' with the photos. They're 2 hours away though. I'll call around tomorrow and see if there's anyone closer. I really liked a place by his mom's place (7 hour drive). The luthier there was AWESOME. I saw some of his works in process and he was doing an awesome job. Maybe I'll email them and tell Sam we should go see his dad for his birthday...hm...a plan develops!
 
contact jake at antebellum instruments He normally restores and sells through e-bay and his family's country store but he has done a number of ukulele's and should be able to at least give a very educated opinion of where and how to start.
 
Got a response from one of the people I emailed with the photos. He told me it wasn't worth restoring. I asked for a ball park figure and heard nothing since. Not a good start. :(
 
Skitzic said:
Got a response from one of the people I emailed with the photos. He told me it wasn't worth restoring. I asked for a ball park figure and heard nothing since. Not a good start. :(
Click to expand...
Don't let that idi....discourage you..How about your martin friend???maybe get an opinion first....I think it would be better if you took it in, then they might take you more serious...Good Luck!!!
 
The general consensus is it will be way too expensive to repair.

So...I am going to try to fix what I can. I figure I can handle the cracks and bracing...we'll see how I feel when it comes to resetting the neck. I will have to take it somewhere to get the frets done. It's amazing what you can learn on the internet...and if I FUBAR it...well, it was already FUBAR so it doesn't really matter and it will still be a pretty clock.
 
Skitzic said:
The general consensus is it will be way too expensive to repair.

So...I am going to try to fix what I can. I figure I can handle the cracks and bracing...we'll see how I feel when it comes to resetting the neck. I will have to take it somewhere to get the frets done. It's amazing what you can learn on the internet...and if I FUBAR it...well, it was already FUBAR so it doesn't really matter and it will still be a pretty clock.
Click to expand...
Definately go for it! If nothing else it will be a great learning experience. I have several old ukes and banjo ukes that I am working on, and it a lot of fun even if they don't end up being great instruments. Keep us posted on your progress.
 
It may be worth a shot at asking for help from the folks in the UU Luthier's Lounge. Maybe someone there will see the potential in the project and be willing to cut a fellow UUer a break....
 
Aloha Skitzic,
Don't let these initial estimates discourage you, you've got to go around to music shops and ask for a qualified
repair person who offers reasonable prices.(say it in that manner) Probally the ones you've got are inflated prices from recommendation and
other factors...jus delve deeper until hear of a qualified reasonable repair person...everywhere has one...I hope
you're not in a rush, as it may take some time..but you can save money.I hope it helps...ask musicians, they know where to go
and who to stay away from in your area....MM Stan.
BTW- That's an awesome idea Mailman had....come on guys, any help here....
 
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