Welcome to Hinnenkamp Guitars!                                 Last Updated: 10-09

 

 Welcome!  It has been quite a while since I have updated here.  I have posted a few pictures of recent and not so recent projects in the Wood Chips section.  I will be adding more current builds there shortly.  I have also added a section below to show repairs of various kinds, so check back often, and if you need a repair or setup, Contact Me.

Best,

Brian


Repair Corner:

This Alvarez Yairi has suffered 20 years of playing abuse and a bad top repair job.  Unfortunately more often than we would like, luthiers have to repair an instrument because of a careless repairman.  The 20 year old cedar top has oxidized to a rich amber brown.  The satin finish shows off every bit of damage, including a dent in the lower bout that the previous repairman filled with epoxy, and then covered with super gloss instead of satin.  Unfortunately the epoxy cannot be removed unless the entire top is striped and refinished, and that is not an option as the origional patina is to be preserved. 


      
       


After several finish repairs on that back and sides, I was able to to use abrasive pastes (seen above as the cloudy white on the side) to bring the satin finish to a fairly high gloss. This process can be used successfully on most satin finishes. I use the Stewart Mcdonald Colortone medium and fine compounds, followed by final buff on the wheel. DO NOT use any compounds containing silicone! Application of silicone to a guitar finish makes future repairs to the finish extremely difficult.

I was able to restore the back and sides to a nearly new condition and excellent shine.  The top was repaired with exception of the discoloration from the previous epoxy dent fill, and overall buffed to a high gloss. While frustrating that I was not able to get to this instrument before the bad repair was applied, the end result is a substantial improvement.  A setup, fret dressing, some care and treating of the fingerboard and bridge, new pick guard, and some hand turned bone bridge pins, and she has new life.