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Guyatone LG60 '59

PostPosted: 01 Feb 2012, 13:32
by Gatwick1946
Hi Folks

I have owned a Guyatone LG60 guitar for about 50 years. It has a natural wood finish, and is original, except for the tuning pegs, which were plastic pegs on metal shafts and were
very easy to damage. I replaced them with a set of Strat style Klusons in 1976.

The pick-up magnets were very weak by 1977; shortly afterwards the internal wiring fell to pieces, therefore the guitar is in need of a bit of work.

I like the V-shape neck,but the narrow fingerboard would prove a challenge to anyone with large hands and fingers.Having survived several house moves and not seen the light of day
for many a year, I confide that its seniority should be rewarded by some sympthetic restoration.

As funds are now in place, my first thought is to take it to Chandlers at Kew. Can anyone suggest a luthier in the South East, of whom they have good personal experience of their
work?

Kindest regards
Christopher

Re: Guyatone LG60 '59

PostPosted: 01 Feb 2012, 14:40
by JimTidmarsh
Christopher

Chelmsford may be a bit far for you to travel, but I can recommend this guy -

http://www.felsonguitars.co.uk/

Good luck!

Re: Guyatone LG60 '59

PostPosted: 03 Feb 2012, 11:12
by Geoff Alderton LH
Hi Christopher
First of all good luck with the re furb. Any chance you could post a couple of pictures? before the re furb starts .We do have to look after these old guitars as they are part of our 50's and 60's musical history. My son did a major re furb on Collin P J's late 50's Antoria LG 50, the one in my Avitar on the right, and its a great piece of Shadows guitar history. I myself pluged in my 1959-60 Vox Ace a couple of weeks ago, one of the Darkins& Co made Vox's and it brought back lots of memories.
I do hope you find a luthier who will appreciate the guitar and treat it with the respect it deserve's.
Good luck and regards Geoff.

Re: Guyatone LG60 '59

PostPosted: 03 Feb 2012, 17:39
by Gatwick1946
Hi Jim and Geoff,

Thank you for your advice.

Geoff, "er indoors" is the computer whiz in the Hill household. She has promised to see what can be achieved, photowise, using her Applemac.

Kindest regards

Christopher

Re: Guyatone LG60 '59

PostPosted: 04 Feb 2012, 10:01
by Gatwick1946
HI GEOFF
Here are the pics as promised.
Regards
Christopher

Re: Guyatone LG60 '59

PostPosted: 04 Feb 2012, 11:50
by Geoff Alderton LH
Hi Christopher
Thank you for the pictures. It's a fine looking guitar and should'nt take a lot to have it back in pristine condition. Has the guitar got a zero fret? I can't make it out from the picture. The bits under the pick guard are quite easy to replace with new stuff but the original knobs and switches are quite difficult to find.All the very best with the project and please keep us up to date with it. Thanks again for the pictures.
Regards Geoff

Re: Guyatone LG60 '59

PostPosted: 06 Feb 2012, 09:01
by Gatwick1946
Hi Geoff

Glad you liked the pics.

No, it does not have a zero fret, just a horrible white, plastic nut.

A point of interest is that the guitar has no truss rod, but it does have a skunk stripe on the reverse of the neck! Not quite sure of the reason for this.

Because of the lack of a truss rod it means that light gauge strings are the order of the day, otherwise the result is a pronounced bow in the neck. I belive Hank
must have had the same problem with his LG50.

Before my wife took the photo's I fitted a set of flat wound strings - first time I have used flats for about 50 years!

Kindest regards
Christopher