Located in Virginia (757) 874-0086. Authorized Martin Warranty Repair.
Professional Repair of Acoustic & Electric guitars, basses, mandolins, violins and ukulele’s. Neck sets, refretting, pick-up installations, cosmetic touch-up and refinishing. Lots of TLC for vintage instruments.
Marguerite Pastella, who owns the business, has been repairing guitars for Americans and people from other countries for about 15 years.
This popular thread has been given its own page : ukulele repair
:
: I have a three year old koa ukulele custom made for me by Island Ukulele of Kauai, Hawaii. During shipping from Kauai the uke developed finish cracks and the soundboard split at the seam above and below the bridge. I sent it back for refinishing and it has subsequently split at the soundboard seam and cold checked all over the finish. I would like the soundboard repaired and the uke refinished in perhaps a light satin finish.
: I own many fine guitars and humidify them all as I did with the ukulele. I think some of this problem might have to do with the shipping from Kauai, so I am looking for a mainland shop that can do the work and ship back to me in Vermont via ground.
: Can you advise whether you can repair and refinish the ukulele and provide a ballpark estimate? I do not require emergency service. The instrument has great tone and beautiful asthetics so I would like to have it repaired.
Hi Sam,
The finish check or crazing which you are describing is a very common occurance on instruments finished in nitrocellulose lacquer. The wood expands and contracts as it absorbs moisture and the finish is cracked as a result. On vintage instruments or those subjected to extreme temperature changes this is nearly unavoidable. The good news is that finish checks do not normally adversly affect an instruments value and refinishing one for the purpose of removing these is usually not advisable since refinishing detracts from the value of an instrument.
When tops or sides develope cracks I normally recommend repairing the crack and touching up the finish instead of completely refinishing it.
Newer instruments are being finished in "craze resistant" finishes such as polyester and catalyzed finishes but these finishes are not normally found in repair shops due to the enormous investment necessary to spray them and though easy to spray are quite difficult to repair.
If anyone out there has a PLASTIC uke that needs repair,
I have the following suggestion: I found out by experience
that the safest thing to use is the "Shoe Goo" product.
Do NOT use "super-glue" as that product gives off fumes
and can discolor the toy (and some of those plastic ukes
ARE antiques and valuable!)
:
: : I have a three year old koa ukulele custom made for me by Island Ukulele of Kauai, Hawaii. During shipping from Kauai the uke developed finish cracks and the soundboard split at the seam above and below the bridge. I sent it back for refinishing and it has subsequently split at the soundboard seam and cold checked all over the finish. I would like the soundboard repaired and the uke refinished in perhaps a light satin finish.
: : I own many fine guitars and humidify them all as I did with the ukulele. I think some of this problem might have to do with the shipping from Kauai, so I am looking for a mainland shop that can do the work and ship back to me in Vermont via ground.
: : Can you advise whether you can repair and refinish the ukulele and provide a ballpark estimate? I do not require emergency service. The instrument has great tone and beautiful asthetics so I would like to have it repaired.
: Hi Sam,
: The finish check or crazing which you are describing is a very common occurance on instruments finished in nitrocellulose lacquer. The wood expands and contracts as it absorbs moisture and the finish is cracked as a result. On vintage instruments or those subjected to extreme temperature changes this is nearly unavoidable. The good news is that finish checks do not normally adversly affect an instruments value and refinishing one for the purpose of removing these is usually not advisable since refinishing detracts from the value of an instrument.
: When tops or sides develope cracks I normally recommend repairing the crack and touching up the finish instead of completely refinishing it.
: Newer instruments are being finished in "craze resistant" finishes such as polyester and catalyzed finishes but these finishes are not normally found in repair shops due to the enormous investment necessary to spray them and though easy to spray are quite difficult to repair.
I have a three year old koa ukulele custom made for me by Island Ukulele of Kauai, Hawaii. During shipping from Kauai the uke developed finish cracks and the soundboard split at the seam above and below the bridge. I sent it back for refinishing and it has subsequently split at the soundboard seam and cold checked all over the finish. I would like the soundboard repaired and the uke refinished in perhaps a light satin finish.
I own many fine guitars and humidify them all as I did with the ukulele. I think some of this problem might have to do with the shipping from Kauai, so I am looking for a mainland shop that can do the work and ship back to me in Vermont via ground.
Can you advise whether you can repair and refinish the ukulele and provide a ballpark estimate? I do not require emergency service. The instrument has great tone and beautiful asthetics so I would like to have it repaired.
I have had Fret Not repair a 1930’s Lyon & Healy, a 1949 Gibson LG and a custom electric guitar for me and all of the work was just outstanding. The L&H had a broken neck heel, my Gibson needed a new bridge, frets,neckset,pickguard and two holes repaired and all the work was exceptional. I would not trust anyone else to do my instrument repair. Great Job Margerite! Thanks a bunch.
Tim
: I have had Fret Not repair a 1930’s Lyon & Healy, a 1949 Gibson LG and a custom electric guitar for me and all of the work was just outstanding. The L&H had a broken neck heel, my Gibson needed a new bridge, frets,neckset,pickguard and two holes repaired and all the work was exceptional. I would not trust anyone else to do my instrument repair. Great Job Margerite! Thanks a bunch.
: Tim
Forgot to mention the rebinding of my Gibson A-1. Looks great, I can’t even tell it’s new.
I am so glad you are pleased with my work Tim, and I appreciate you leaving the kind words of appreciation. You and I both know what it’s like to be strapped with a "perfectionist" mindset and strive to make everything "just so". Best wishes.
Never was able to get my instrument to play well efore I had Fret Not to make repairs and tune-up. I would recommend her to anyone. She treats all instruments like they were her own. SHE REALLY LOVES THEM ALL. Thanks Marguerite for a job well done. I’ll be back and will recommend you to all my friends.
Never was able to get my instrument to play well efore I had Fret Not to make repairs and tune-up. I would recommend her to anyone. She treats all instruments like they were her own. SHE REALLY LOVES THEM ALL. Thanks Marguerite for a job well done. I’ll be back and will recommend you to all my friends.
Berda, thanks for the compliment and for the many customers you have sent my way. Good luck with those bar cords.