1951 Epiphone Zephyr Regent

This poor guitar was unplayable when I got it. There are 60 years of stories in this guitar, and all those stories had taken its toll.

After refretting, truing the neck, replacing the nut, replacing the pots and wiring, and repairing the sidewall, which had cracked around the output jack, this big-hipped beauty is ready for another 60 years.

The pickup is not original, but sounds great. It looks like a Guild humbucker from the 70s, and has a bit fuller midrange than a Gibson PAF, but still sounds clear and warm like an archtop should. This model went head to head with the Gibson ES-175 in its day, and is a worthy competitor.

1972 Fender Telecaster

Another gorgeous vintage guitar that needed lots of TLC to be playable. The frets had deep divots in them, but I didn't want to refret it and damage the resale value. I was able to dress out the divots and level and crown the frets, though the frets are now so low that they're almost non-existant. The action is low now and it plays nicely, though it will need a refret at some point. Since the guitar is for sale, I decide to leave the decision to do that up to the next owner.

The bridge pickup was rewound, and now the guitar sounds great and can keep up with the best Telecasters out there.

1979 Tokai Les Paul

The owner of this guitar sent it to me to be refretted, describing it as an old friend that had served him well but needed now it needed some work.

After inspecting it, I told him that a level & crown would take care of the divots and the buzzing, and it would save him a ton of money. A level & crown cost $75, vs. $289 for a full refret.

The deep divots were the result of a nut that was cut too low, causing the strings to contantly vibrate against the frets and slowly wear them away.

After dressing the frets and making sure the nut slots were cut properly, this guitar is ready to keep going for another 20 years.