THE 1942 GIBSON & THE 2015 MARTIN

Today I had to work on two renowned guitars. First this 1942 Gibson... Some cowboy had replaced the original bridge with a modern horror.

Luckily the owner has found a contemporary bridge in Brazilian Rosewood. Shall glue that on tomorrow.

In 1942 the workforce in the Gibson factory in Kalamazoo, Michigan was almost entirely female. Having explored the inside, can report that the workmanship of the "Gibson Girls" is pretty standard Gibson "slapdash". Having played her a bit can report that despite interior bracing that needs re-gluing she still sounds strong, sweet & deep.

The "extra" modern Martin is a size 5-15 - was probably put together on a Monday morning. The bridge was glued 3 mm. too far forward causing serious intonation problems up the neck. Luckily for me Martin have embraced the truly rotten Far Eastern practise of gluing the bridge on to varnish.

Job well done - easy-peasy :o)