What I found in my grandfather's attic (old wood inside)

[Kølabrennern]

My family has always been musical, so it's natural that they left behind instruments and passed them down through generations, but I didn't expect to find this one. It's a really old Hagström acoustic, most likely pre-WWII. Unfortunately it's in urgent need of care and repair. First of all there's a break in the headstock that has been screwed together, not glued. Probably nothing some epoxy can't fix though. Then it's the fact that someone has put new tuning machines on it, for nylon strings after what I can see - but the stupid part is that that someone has drilled new holes and chipped the wood really bad. Oh well. There's also a break where the neck meets the body that's been glued, seems to be holding together, but the heel looks like it's ready to come apart. Not sure how one would go about to fix that. Lastly, the neck is far from straight, it has relief out of another world. I can't see any truss-rod, so this I neither know how to fix. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Some pictures:

What do you guys think?

 

[Wuchak]

Neat find. I'd check the blue book at the local dealer but I'm 99.9% sure it will cost more to fix than it's worth.

There is one like your in the middle of the page at Hagstrom - Real Oldies

 

[pawpek]

What a great find, I hope you can repair the guitar, and be playing again soon.

 

[Kølabrennern]

Neat find. I'd check the blue book at the local dealer but I'm 99.9% sure it will cost more to fix than it's worth.

There is one like your in the middle of the page at Hagstrom - Real Oldies

That I am sure of as well, that's why I'll just do what I can myself and leave it alone. Nice little piece of decoration though!

 

[Jason]

I'm sure there's a great story behind it, if anyone in your family might know.

 

[Kølabrennern]

Oh, and what's the deal with the first fretwire being located right below the nut? I've seen it before, but can't figure out why it's like that.

 

[Jason]

Oh, and what's the deal with the first fretwire being located right below the nut? I've seen it before, but can't figure out why it's like that.

Probably because it's a wooden nut and w/o that fret there it would wear through eventually.

 

[Jason]

Regardless of monetary value, it's always awesome to see old instruments like that!

 

[Jason]

If I were you, I would have it professionally restored even if it's "not worth it"... that's a part of your family heritage.

 

[Kølabrennern]

I did kinda want to play it on my next album. Where I happen to write lyrics about local history and my roots. We'll see what happens, I can't afford any restoration as of now, unfortunately.

 

[ginormous]

Oh, and what's the deal with the first fretwire being located right below the nut? I've seen it before, but can't figure out why it's like that.

I think it's called a "zero fret"; supposed to improve intonation at the first note.

 

[sitarsrule]

Yeah it's called a zero fret, it's also used to change the sharp angle of the string so the string doesn't break at the nut!

 

[GuitarDean]

ABSOLUTELY FIX IT!

 

[Wuchak]

I did kinda want to play it on my next album. Where I happen to write lyrics about local history and my roots. We'll see what happens, I can't afford any restoration as of now, unfortunately.

It looks like all that's really missing is the tuning pegs. I'd throw a new set on and leave the rest as is.

$10 tuner set http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tuners/Guitar,_slotted_peghead_tuners/Economy_3-on-Plate_Tuners.html

$40 tuner set Golden Age Restoration Tuners for Slotted Peghead at Stewart-MacDonald

Add some very light gauge strings, and tune it up.

 

[GooCart]

I think all Hagström guitars have a zero fret. I also think that some Gretsch has it.

 

[Kølabrennern]

It looks like all that's really missing is the tuning pegs. I'd throw a new set on and leave the rest as is.

$10 tuner set Economy 3-on-Plate Tuners at Stewart-MacDonald

$40 tuner set Golden Age Restoration Tuners for Slotted Peghead at Stewart-MacDonald

Add some very light gauge strings, and tune it up.

What about the oversized holes someone drilled out for nylon string tuners? Guess doweling is the only way to come around that. How practical that the holes are not perfect circles...

The problem I've encountered is that the headstock break is not very flexible, so I'm not sure how I'm going to get the glue between the wood. I was thinking that some glue comes in practical syringes, but as usual I find it extremely hard to find the stuff I need here in Norway.