A bad decision has been made

[jeremy]

looks like a guitar even!

 

[beaubrummels]

I got the harness put together. Everything works as it should except I'm a bit unsure on the tone switch.

I can hear it switching from one position to the next but it's super hard to tell just doing a tap test with a screwdriver if there is a real difference from one position to the next. I don't have it installed and strung up because I am making 1000% certain this is all perfect before I weave it through there without even any F-holes for access.

This is what I'm using. I think it's right?

https://assets.ctfassets.net/3xaxfh...429e7188880a2a882137c9e903a/ToneSwitchRev.pdf

There should be a very obvious difference with a Gretsch tone switch. It's called a mud switch for a reason.

That drawing looks odd - it looks like they got the ground and outputs sides of the selector switch reversed.

 

[ICTGoober]

WOW!!!!!!!!!! ALL THE UPVOTES!!!!!!!!!

You have exceeded my expectations. I am proud of you, Blake!

 

[blakejcan]

Thanks for all the help!

The tone switch works but somehow the bridge volume got wonky. I think k when I was stuffing it in the body cavity it might have knocked something. I’ll fix that this weekend and then try and wrestle it into playing shape.

think I’ll take it to my local shop for a 2nd opinion on the frets too. They are crazy low

 

[blakejcan]

Oh yea here's the back and the neck repair

 

[ICTGoober]

Dude, that is a perfect repair. If you'd been doing this for a client a good charge would have been $1500 to $2000. And they would be happy to pony up. I would be very interested in seeing what a vintage shop would value your Gretsch at now. You have literally turned a sow's ear into a silk purse.

 

[jeremy]

that looks amazing! great job

 

[ErikH]

Got caught up on this one. Absolutely incredible work.

 

[blakejcan]

Am I brave enough to re-fret this?

 

[ICTGoober]

Pretty sure you could handle it, but what are your intentions with the instrument? Keep forever, or sell?

 

[Mincer]

Is something wrong with the frets currently?

 

[jeremy]

they are super low

 

[blakejcan]

They were super low almost fretless wonder style from the start and 50 something years later I think they are toast

i had my local shop look and they agreed

 

[Mincer]

Oh if you can do the other stuff, I am sure you can re-fret. You just need the right tools.

 

[blakejcan]

Pulling frets from old ebony scares me a bit. Chipping could be a hot mess. Maybe I’ll try one and see how it goes.

 

[ICTGoober]

Use a soldering iron to get the fret hot first, then carefully pull the fret with the proper tool. Glue any chips back ASAP. On really brittle stuff I put a drop or two of water on either side of the fret to soften the grain just a bit. When it's time to refret, carefully use a triangular file to bevel the slot at the top a bit.

 

[blakejcan]

Thanks. That's what I've done in the past and it's gone pretty well. I like the drop of water tip.

 

[blakejcan]

What size frets should I put in this guy? I’d be up for bigger frets but I want it to look appropriate

also, the frets are between the neck binding, not over it.

Does that mean I’d have to cut it to size and do almost all the fretwork BEFORE it gets put on?

 

[Mincer]

If you plan on keeping it, put in the frets you like.

 

[ICTGoober]

Smooth off the nibs, and put medium jumbo frets on it. It will be playable, and sellable.