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| Author | Comment | ||
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 HD28VGUY |
Cheap 1955 D-28 |
Lead | |
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(11/01/09 3:52 PM) |
Guitar is very cosmetically altered, but this seems like a fantastic price for an original finish 1955 D-28, right? Could that -- to my eye -- cheesy inlay
work be taken off? The gold tuners I'm guess are easy to replace....
http://www.jimsguitars.com/store/mcart.php?ID=2161 |
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Ted Hutson |
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(11/01/09 9:46 PM) |
It does seem like a pretty good buy, if the finish and pickguard are original. The inlay scheme is rather like a striped shirt with plaid sleeves. But the
most practical way to restore the dot inlays is to change the fretboard, given the size of the fills. I'd leave it.
Last Edited By: Ted Hutson
11/01/09 9:56 PM.
Edited 3 times.
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 Arnoldgtr |
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(11/01/09 10:13 PM) |
It looks like it is in very nice condition except the fingerboard. I believe this one is worth the extra effort of removing the frets, cutting rectangles and
inlaying ebony to fix the fingerboard. There were no Rotomatics in 1955, so the tuners are not original. Original style waffle tuners will cover the tracks,
but the shaft holes have been enlarged to 3/8". The original shaft holes are 1/4" with an 11/32" counterbore for the bushing.
John |
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steveswan |
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(11/02/09 12:20 PM) |
With the new pickguard and a funny colored bridge, I'd bet on a well-done refinish at some point. Even at that, it looks like it hasn't been abused
and could be a very solid player.
Last Edited By: steveswan
11/02/09 4:51 PM.
Edited 1 times.
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MPkrNth |
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(11/02/09 8:11 PM) |
I'm no expert but the pick guard looks a lot like the original on my '58 D-28. What makes you think it's a replacement?
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Mike Eskimo |
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(11/02/09 8:15 PM) |
One of these would cure that fretboard...
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jbbancroft |
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(11/02/09 9:29 PM) |
Pickguard looks original.
Best I can tell the inlays are the only modification. But, you'd have to have the guitar in hand to appraise it correctly. I'm guessing the dealer knows guitars and has described it acurately. Jim |
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steveswan |
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(11/02/09 10:55 PM) |
I think that the color monitor on one of my computers was fooling me. The bridge and pickguard look more genuine on this one.
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bassrun |
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(11/02/09 11:17 PM) |
Well, the bridge is a replacement, for sure, since it's got a drop-in saddle.
--John
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Hankak |
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(11/02/09 11:44 PM) |
If it hasn't been oversprayed it has to be the deal of the month.
I hope someone in the area will inspect and play it and give us report why someone should or shouldn't buy it. Hank
Last Edited By: Hankak
11/02/09 11:48 PM.
Edited 1 times.
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harmonist34 |
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(11/03/09 12:23 AM) |
I checked with HD-28VGuy and determined he wasn't intending to purchase it, so I called the seller and got some info today. Missed him this evening when I
went to close the deal, but I think if it's still there tomorrow when I get through, I'm going to pull the trigger...
Andrew
'52 D-28
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goaty76 |
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(11/03/09 12:40 AM) |
Andrew,
Phil |
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Gibsons4life |
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(11/03/09 6:38 AM) |
I think the drop-in saddle is on the pickguard comparison guitar with the Engelmann top, not the one for sale. Just to clarify
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HD28VGUY |
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(11/03/09 10:57 AM) |
Andrew's note to me was very considerate and much appreciated, but unnecessary. I make it a policy never to buy guitars that are sensibly priced.  Hope someone here snags it........and
adds more horrible inlay work
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harmonist34 |
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(11/03/09 11:14 AM) |
Well...I've decided to walk away. Finish seems to check out as original, but Jim didn't seem overly inclined to check the bridgeplate for me and I more
or less confirmed with another employee today that the bridge is rosewood. So it's still probably a very well-priced guitar and a good buy for somebody,
but given that my interest really arose out of wanting a more original guitar to "swap" for my '52 D-28, I think I'll keep watching. Just
can't afford to get burned on a 15% restocking fee if it doesn't turn out to be what I was expecting...
'52 D-28
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Carped35 |
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(11/03/09 12:04 PM) |
Harmonist:
How did the '55 sound and play? This one is not too far from me and I've been tempted to check it out. Thanks. Alan D. |
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Ted Hutson |
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(11/03/09 12:09 PM) |
It's probably a Brazilian rosewood bridge, installed in an effort to improve the sound. The inlay scheme is so bad, it's good. I'd let it be.
Alan, he evidently didn't see the guitar in person, or he wouldn't have asked for others to report back to him about details. Go see it and play it, take an inspection mirror with you, and report back to us.
Last Edited By: Ted Hutson
11/03/09 12:18 PM.
Edited 1 times.
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Carped35 |
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(11/03/09 4:40 PM) |
Ted:
Thanks. I didn't read the posts carefully enough. I may go check it out. Jim's Guitars is about 35 miles from me. Alan D. |
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harmonist34 |
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(11/03/09 5:06 PM) |
Just to be clear, I think there are multiple locations. I want to say this one was in York, PA?
'52 D-28
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Carped35 |
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(11/03/09 7:28 PM) |
Copied from the website:
Jims Guitars, Inc. 706 Frederick Rd. Baltimore, MD 21228 Tel: 866.787.2865 This is in Catonsville, MD. Didn't see any other locations. |
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awheck |
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(11/07/09 1:25 PM) |
OK, so here's the deal with this guitar. It is actually a 58, not a 55, so I'm guessing that the Grover Pat Pend tuners are original, no real sign of
changed tuners. The bridge has been off and replaced, the saddle is all but gone, and there was a partial refret with pretty large frets, perhaps to correct a
bow in the neck. The fretboard looks to be taken down a bit, and the inlays are not so bad, but the fretboard shows signs of the work. There are no cracks,
although there looks to be a center seam separation on the top, but no real evidence underneath. The braces look good and the bridge plate looks to be reglued,
but possibly original. All in all it seems pretty solid, although it will most likely need a new fretboard and bridge/saddle. Original case is pretty beat up
but usable. I haven't decided if I will keep it... it was a good price, but not a 55, I like that the tuners haven't been changed and are most likely
original, and it's a nice late 50s D28 for a good price, but will need a couple thousand to get it correct, I would guess.
Thanks! Rick |
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goaty76
wrote:
