BRW back and side set with bonus Mahogany neck?

[DarwinStrings]

It certainly looks like BRW to me and at a risk it may ends up as a cheap set of back and sides with a new top, although tempting I won't be bidding but thought someone may be interested. Ebay

Jim

[ozziebluesman]

I going to have a few bids on it. Thanks for the heads up Jim. I love these old guitars anyway so I will see what happens.

Cheers

Alan

[ozziebluesman]

Ok I'm in the auction so we will see what happens and I will report back later.

I reckon it will go for far more than I am prepared to pay for it.

I'm excited!

Cheers

Alan

[nnickusa]

Lacey Act stuff? Do you nreckon an old git from the US would draw attention? Be a shame to win it and have it confiscated at the border.....

[DarwinStrings]

Good stuff Alan, I hope it is not just cleverly disguised Mahogany. Although "Washburn" was their more high end stuff they certainly made some "American Conservatory" with BRW as well. The vendor doesn't give much info either like the serial, the Washburns all had serial embossed on the top of the headstock but I am not sure about the A.C. models. Good luck.

Jim

Yep Nick it is a gamble and I have got them in before but who knows how tight it is now.

[Tod Gilding]

I'm afraid I'm thinking along the same lines as Nick.. Lacy Act.......Fingers Crossed

Also found this on Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_bahDWiYKM

[kiwigeo]

Go for this one...you'll have less problems getting it out of the US

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/FENDER-SQUIE ... 43ba4494e4

[Tod Gilding]

It is a lovely shade of pink Marty, but I think only a propeller head geologist would play something like that

[ozziebluesman]

I have asked the ebay member a few questions. It will be interesting to hear back. I will share! If I can pick it up cheap enough then I think it is worth the risk trying to import it into Australia. I would love to have a go at restoring it even though it won't be original enough to be worth anything other than a very nice piece of history. I am a slide player too so this one may be a beauty for slide. I have an old Oahu all birch parlour from the 1940s and it always brings a smile to my face when I open the case.

An off to the side question the Oahu needs work does anyone know where I can buy some American birch and it looks like it is flat sawn?

Cheers

Alan

[DarwinStrings]

Oh well, worth a shot anyway Alan and I reckon the 250 it went for is still cheap considering the wood (maybe not considering the Lacy gamble though). It does seem they are getting higher in price though, maybe getting harder to find.

Jim

[ozziebluesman]

Well I took the plunge on the bay at the death and won the auction. $238 aud plus $80 shipping. I know there is a risk still it may get caught up in Customs here in Oz and they may confiscate it from me too but what the hell. I will be chuffed if I may get the chance to have a go at restoring a genuine antique instrument from the 1900s.

Wish me luck cause I will need it!

Cheers

Alan

[nnickusa]

Cool, looks like you equally adept at the repair side as you are at the building end....Look forward to seeing it all tarted up....

[DarwinStrings]

I had that picked wrong, I had had a guess at which bidder was you and didn't think you had won it Alan. Well done. Good luck!

Jim

[ozziebluesman]

Thanks Nick and Jim. You where spot on Jim a the ebay seller verified that it is indeed BRW back and sides. The back and side have some cracking on the bottom of the guitar according to the seller. It has to get through you know who here first and then I will plan a restoration. I will be putting plenty of time and thought into this restore if I get the chance. It is going to be so interesting to document the inside of this little fella to! Anyway, time will tell.

The saga to be continued.

Alan

[P Bill]

Good job Alan, looking forward to the resto.

[Tod Gilding]

Great Can't wait for the restoration

Is the strict check likely to be leaving the US or entering AU or both ?

[ozziebluesman]

I don't really know Todd but I reckon if Customs here know what it is I'm in trouble. If US customs won't let it out of the country then I am sure the eBay member will refund me as there where plenty of interest in the bidding. After I won the guitar I paid him immediately and sent an email stating that it was a risk trying to import this old guitar due to Custom laws here and in the US.

I think I was just lucky to win it as I placed my bid just at the right time. I had a pre-conceived amount of $251 maximum in my head and just waited till 20 seconds from the end of the auction and placed a bid of $251 and I was very pleasantly surprised I won the auction at $238.

Anyway, lets see what unfolds as there may be some disappointment down the track.

Cheers

Alan

[Bob Connor]

I don't think there are any checks leaving the States Alan.

I'm tipping the postman will just arrive with it one day.

Regards

[ozziebluesman]

Hope your right Bob.

I mean the guitar is trashed!

Cheers

Alan

[Kamusur]

You'll be right Alan. I reckon its sure worth a gamble, good luck with it.

Steve

[Bob Connor]

Hope your right Bob.

I mean the guitar is trashed!

Cheers

Alan

I'd be replacing the top with a nice bit of Euro spruce and replicating the purflings and rosette. A mixture of honey amber and mahogany brown stain to get it looking vintage and you'll end up with a nice little player there Alan.

Regards

[ozziebluesman]

Through research I think the tops on these where originally Adi red spruce. I don't even no if it is a ladder or x braced top! Why the Euro spruce Bob?

As you know I have another restore of a Jumbo on at the moment and I have just bought some colour tone products from Stew Mac to try and age the top of it as well. I didn't buy all colours just amber, brown walnut and red mahogany stains and I was going to mix it with shellac and tint the top that way. Anyway, more on that later this is going to be a great project and I would like to pass this one on to one of the Grand sons later on.

Cheers

Alan

[Bob Connor]

Looks like it'd make a nice fingerpicker and I love Euro on fingerstyle guitars.

Regards

[ozziebluesman]

Thanks Bob, good enough reason.

I just remembered my Yamaha classical nylon string has a Euro top and it is a beautiful full tone.

Cheers

Alan

[woodrat]

Well Done Alan, I am sure you wont have any trouble....

...definitely a better bet than taking your money to the TAB....


...Hope it goes well...

John