THE REFRET JOB

Today I got a shot in the arm - CC presented me with this 1956 Martin 000-18 - a lovely old lady from the time when Martin were making really good instruments.

First thing to do was to remove the old frets. With a 60 year-old Rosewood fingerboard you have to go carefully. I've cannibalised a cheapo-cheapo soldering iron by filing a fret-hugging groove in the business end.

So you splotch water over the fret to be removed with a paint brush then run the hot soldering iron up & down the fret. The hot water & the steam created softens the wood so when you pull the frets there is no splintering...

There is much more to do - this guitar has been very badly treated. I'm looking forward to the rest!