Robben Ford Discussion

[Bill Morgan]

Some of you may remember that I have Robben's Red Lady from the Tiger Walk tour in Europe in (I think) '97. The nut welded to the end of the truss rod broke off during the tour rendering the guitar non-adjustable and leaving it with a fair amount of relief. The guitar was sold to a friend of mine and eventually ended up with me.

The guitar is playable, but you need strong fingers. And it's probably the best sounding RF model I ever played. So here's the question:

Which of the following would you do?

1. Keep it as-is considering what it is?
2. Keep it but have it repaired to make it more playable (according to Gene Baker this would involve replacing the fingerboard, meaning it would no longer be the guitar that Robben played)?
3. Sell it as-is?
4. Have it repaired and then sell it?

I have kept it as I got it considering its history, but as I get older and the economy gets worse, I'm wondering if maybe I shouldn't pass it on to someone else. Just thinking here folks, but would appreciate any suggestions or comments anyone cares to offer. Thanks.

Bill

[Lazy]

Bill
Defiantly keep it. Get it repaired. I am sure that any good repairer will be able the remove and then reuse the fingerboard. So it will remain as original but the main thing is that it is playable. This I believe is the most important thing. Good instruments make good music which is a joy for all. The provenance of the guitar will intrinsically remain.

[Daved]

Hmmm... tough decision, Bill.

Things to think about:

If you keep it as is, it has historical value, but how how much (in $$ value) is purely up for debate, because as a musical instrument all it's now worth is basically is as a wall decoration... a donation to the wall of your local Hard Rock Cafe, LOL, along with so many other broken guitars that have gone the same route. I look at those wall hangings and appreciate that they once rocked the world, but I quickly loose interest because they are now has-beens and I pity that they can no longer do the thing that made them once so honored and respected.

Personally, I see the most value in a relic of this sort, if it CAN be restored, as a performing instrument, rather than as a wall hanging curiosity.

So, if you have the desire and the money to restore it, I'd probably go that route. You see all the time on those 2 TV shows ("Pickers", and the hock shop one) where they find or acquire old useless rusted broken artifacts, spend a lot of money to restore them (new parts, paint, etc) and the piece suddenly has tons of value because now it looks like new and performs as new and it's historical value can be fully realized and appreciated once again rather than saying, "See that lump of rust on that expensive pedestal? It once was a priceless heirloom or artifact!".

If you want to put the money into it (and a broken truss rod will not be a cheap repair, especially if you're attempting to restore, rather that merely repair), then do your research. Inquire around to various luthiers about having it restored, not just repaired. You may find one who might have the knowledge and experience or creativity to cut off the old fretboard, reuse it, and at least attempt to keep the guitar as pristine as possible.

If an historic guitar has badly worn frets, one would probably replace them (and keep the old frets, covered in all their historic flesh flakes and DNA. in a baggy with the guitar) so the guitar could continue to be played and potentially make more history.
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B C-ing U!
( }:-Daved
"This boy's diseased with rhythm!" -Bing Crosby (Road To Rio, '49)

[DaveH]

Unless Baker uses epoxy to glue the fret board on, it can be removed and reused. The most common glues for luthiery are either hide glue or aliphatic resin glue. Both are softened by heat and moisture.
Either way, it's major surgery.

[Bill Morgan]

Thanks for the comments guys. I forgot to mention that one of the distinctive features of this guitar is that Robben removed most of the finish from the back of the neck giving it a rather unique look. Removing and reinstalling the fingerboard would almost certainly destroy that aspect of the guitar.

All things considered, including the current lack of funds for a major repair, I think the poor old girl is destined to continue living in my closet for the time being. It's a waste because it is a fine guitar and sounds incredible, but hopefully whoever inherits it when I'm gone will give it the attention it deserves.

Bill

[Bill Morgan]

[edpesco]

[Bill Morgan]

[Danny]

Why would removing the fretboard destroy the sanded down back of the neck? I feel like there's got to be something I'm not getting here...at the most you would just have the sanded-down neck and then new binding for the fretboard!
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"Music is the only thing that you can share with a million million people and you don't lose, you gain. It helps you to get energy and to live long, because when your soul is very happy then you don't want to die." - Ali Akbar Khan

[telefunk1]

Guitars are meant to be played and this one no doubt has a lot of music left in it to be shared with the world.

Sell it to Ed, he does not have enough guitars and needs more!

[edpesco]

[Bill Morgan]

[Bill Morgan]

[Bill Morgan]

[edpesco]