One for the guitar lovers - 1971 Donald J Tatem Repaired

Howling TerrorOutOfOffice · Super Spammer Joined: 05 Dec 2008 Karma :

I had a brilliant night tonight for three reasons.

I was asked to try out a new guitar for someone...Done that many times. This time is was a guitar built by a friend of mine. It plays as good as it looks. Lovely for fingerpicking, took well to strumming too but not a boistrous guitar like a dreadnought. Nice even, open sound..not too bright and not too bassy. Access above the 12th fret was easier than say a D28. the neck profile is different to anything I've played before. Nearest comparison would be the 'Baseball bat' profiles on old Gibsons but chunky-er. Felt fine.
I'll let the pics do some talking.
https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/bart3_zps7371dd42.jpg

https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/DSCF1746_zps08a24492.jpg

https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/DSCF1755_zps6f09711d.jpg

https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/DSCF1753_zps5c2bb245.jpg

https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/DSCF1757_zps12ed6da5.jpg

https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/DSCF1756_zps6533a25b.jpg

https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/DSCF1751_zps319e8dfa.jpg

Sean did tell me the full name of the wood used, but all I can remember was Sycamore and Ebony. He built it in a garage.

The second reason it was a great night is I've finally decided to get my 1st ever guitar repaired. I think I was 10 when my Dad gave it to me. I'd shown an interest and like a fool he gave a kid (just about to discover Punk Rock) a rare Classical guitar.
We drifted apart for quite a few years and during that time I and a few mates subjected that guitar to the most awesome Punk Rock that we could make. Often using various things to strum it...A 2 pence piece and screwdrivers spring to mind. It was taken everywhere, left outside tents. I covered that guitar in teenage blood.

It looks a bit like this one. (I forgot to take photos, but Sean said he'd send me some)
https://www.kirstein.de/produkte/00025/00025666/00025666__src.jpg

One fateful day it fell down the stairs..Top to bottom and crashed into the radiator. Split it right around the outside...I superglued it back together and carried on my discovery of Psyche-Rock-Thrash and some light Jazzzzz...Niccceee. It couldn't take anymore awesomeness and the bridge plate ripped itself from the body.

Guitar dead. Sad

Time passed...Me and Dad now in regular touch, and he occasionally asks me if I still have that old guitar. 'Yeah Dad..want another brew?' and 'No Dad it's up in the loft somewhere'. In short I haven't the heart or guts to tell him that I murdered a guitar I know for a fact he loved to bits.

That is about to end as Sean is going to fix-up that Punk Rock Bitch, and I'm going to give it back to my Dad so it can be played how it's maker intended.

Finally, I get home and find the aroma of cake in the air.
https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/DSCF1765_zpsb25e554e.jpg
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Knot600RR · Scooby Slapper Joined: 25 Aug 2011 Karma :

Nice geetar.....I've been building electrics for yonks and never given an acoustic a go.

You say baseball bat, but from the pics, the neck looks like a pretty flat 'U' section...

Cool post.....although the cupcake may well taste nice, it gets pretty much a zero for presentation, what happened to a nice piped top? Wink

Supermoto_Fan · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 Jun 2012 Karma :

That looks like the cakes I make at work, (greggs)

Gingerbread cupcake?
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J.M. · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Mar 2011 Karma :

I've always wanted to build an electric or acoustic guitar!

How long did it take to build in the first place? Build your own neck or pre-buy one?
How much did it cost? Did you need a lot of woodworking experience to create a good sounding & playing guitar?

I tore a stratocaster copy apart a few years ago to give it a custom painjob and add some extra electrical accessories to it. Never got around to finishing it after messing up the paint job Sad

I'm getting it brought up to me at Uni on Thursday so that I can finish it! Very Happy

<edit>bah! read it as you had built guitars several times, not tested them several times! Disregard that 2nd paragraph... Laughing

</edit>
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pinkyfloyd · Super Spammer Joined: 20 Jul 2010 Karma :

Subframe looks twisted?

Twisted Evil

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Shaft · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Dec 2010 Karma :

Nice looking guitar, but what's the story with the Theremin, is it a home build or shop bought?
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Howling TerrorOutOfOffice · Super Spammer Joined: 05 Dec 2008 Karma :

Howling TerrorOutOfOffice · Super Spammer Joined: 05 Dec 2008 Karma :

Quick update.

Work has started on my old and broken Classical guitar.
Shaun has also managed to track down the luthier (maker) and get some invaluable information like the type of finish used when it was originally made.

When the bridgeplate got ripped from the top it took some spruce with it. Shaun is going to use a wood fillet. i.e. He's going to do the best he can with it.

Here's some photos of it as is.
https://www.ashmandolins.co.uk/Repairs/images/donald_j_tatem_full.jpg
https://www.ashmandolins.co.uk/Repairs/images/donald_j_tatem_top.jpg
https://www.ashmandolins.co.uk/Repairs/images/donald_j_tatem_split_side2.jpgThat split runs right around the guitar.
https://www.ashmandolins.co.uk/Repairs/images/donald_j_tatem_split_side.jpg
https://www.ashmandolins.co.uk/Repairs/images/donald_j_tatem_tuners.jpg

Some history. It was made in 1971 by Donald J Tatem. Rosewood back and sides with a Spruce top.
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oldpink · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Aug 2006 Karma :

was up at a mate of mines today (a luthier) getting my Martin 12 set up correctly
its great to watch him work until he starts filing lumps out the nut on my pride & joy
but all was well as it was way too high, watching him deepen out the string slots is class
he also dressed the fret's, adjusted the truss rod and lowered the bottom bridge
made a good guitar feel and play a whole lot better and all for the very small fee of £25 (it was about 4 hrs work)

I'd love to be able to do it myself and have a good idea how to do it
I've just not got the time or the tools needed to give it a go
maybe when I retire that could be my hobby

hope you get your guitar back fully restored I hate seeing a broken guitar
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oldpink · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Aug 2006 Karma :

Howling TerrorOutOfOffice · Super Spammer Joined: 05 Dec 2008 Karma :

He'll be out of business if he has lots of mates. Laughing

If makers just did those little details to begin with eh.

I'm resisting the urge to tell my Dad about the guitar. I can't wait to see him play it again. I'll record it.
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oldpink · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Aug 2006 Karma :

radicalrabit · Crazy Courier Joined: 27 Dec 2012 Karma :

my dad bought me a vox phantom 12 string when I was 11 its a 1965 English made with the tremolo arm.
Research into the manufacture of these tells me it was one of only 12 made that way in this country the rest were made in Italy and the tooling was metric .

Anyway just trying to get some of the bits that have gone missing over the years sorted So when one of these bikes gets sold it will be having a major refurbish in America because I cant get the bits here and Brandoni are trying to rip me off.
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Howling TerrorOutOfOffice · Super Spammer Joined: 05 Dec 2008 Karma :

..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

Awesome stuff, love the craftsmanship and the story behind it Thumbs Up

Howling TerrorOutOfOffice · Super Spammer Joined: 05 Dec 2008 Karma :

Comparison pics.

https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/fe4a0240-64f1-4be4-a0b5-8e2f9a699565_zps7653b110.jpg

https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/pat_guitar_sides_glued_zpsaadbd824.jpg

The keen eyed amongst you can *still see the join, which is to be expected considering how much of a bodged repair I made. I recall my bed had no legs on it so after supergluing it together I put it under the bottom of the bed and used that as a clamp..Ahh to be 16 again. Confused

*Prior to lacquer the joint has since been filled with a mixture of glue and fine sawdust which was taken during the repair process. Simple...Clever.

Getting a little tingly now, and can't wait to surprise my Dad. (I'll be honest and add there is a part of me that still wants to keep it) Laughing

.

I also remember my Dad getting carted away by the cops because of this guitar. I'll say no more, but can bore you if you meet me.
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Howling TerrorOutOfOffice · Super Spammer Joined: 05 Dec 2008 Karma :

Tonight I was reacquainted with my first love.

Totally blown away by the sound of it. It's nearly 30 years since I played it and in that time I have acquired an ear for a good instrument (still can't play the bloody things Laughing

, but I know a good instrument blah blah).
It looks pretty good too, and as per instructions. 'Repair it so it works' kind of thing, I didn't expect it to look so damn fine. Sure it has all mine and my Dad's scuffs all over it, but it wears them well.

Here's some low light pics I've just taken.
https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/IMG_0035_zpsd7d1d36c.jpg

https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/IMG_0033_zps55892c73.jpg

https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/IMG_0030_zps19e4344f.jpg

https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/IMG_0027_zps8219c63d.jpg

One with nasty flash, but shows the colour.
https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/IMG_0025_zpsc18a45bb.jpg

All I need to do is pop around Dad's and surprise him with it.

[edit]
One last thing. I was asked if I would sell it. The bloke (Sean Ash) who repaired it wanted to buy it off me. He fell in love with the sound and craftmanship. My answer was short.
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radicalrabit · Crazy Courier Joined: 27 Dec 2012 Karma :

Hasn't he done a bloody good job of repairing that ...., your dad will be really pleased with it....... Now get him to teach you how to play it
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radicalrabit · Crazy Courier Joined: 27 Dec 2012 Karma :

Hasn't he done a bloody good job of repairing that ...., your dad will be really pleased with it....... Now get him to teach you how to play it
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Howling TerrorOutOfOffice · Super Spammer Joined: 05 Dec 2008 Karma :

He does teach guitar and is the ideal person, however I prefer to learn my own way. He did show me A minor when I first got it Smile

, and over the years I have developed my own style. I'm the same with all the instruments I play.

In short, you won't catch me playing stairway to heaven or oasis or anyone else's songs. for that matter.

It's not the best way. Mimicking is the best way. Learn the rules then break them.
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Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

radicalrabit · Crazy Courier Joined: 27 Dec 2012 Karma :

Hasn't he done a bloody good job of repairing that ...., your dad will be really pleased with it....... Now get him to teach you how to play it
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VF1000 F2F, BLACKBIRD with carbs, 2nd VF1000F2F just need somewhere to go now..

trevor saxe-coburg-gotha · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Nov 2012 Karma :

*leads radicalrabit back to the day room*
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One for the guitar lovers - 1971 Donald J Tatem *Repaired*

One for the guitar lovers - 1971 Donald J Tatem Repaired