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@Dooks-Fatberg
I dropped off the old Sigma DR28 with Mr Brinsley Schwartz in Kew today. I went in with the intention of getting a new nut and saddle and a fret dress. He reckoned that he couldn't really get the action much better than it was with the current plastic nut and if I had no tuning issues (i don't) it wouldn't effect the sound much either. The neck was fine too. However. the frets were so worn and grooved that he didn't reckon they were dressable.
That left the value of replacing the saddle and nut in doubt as playability wise it was the frets that needed sorting. It kind of felt like an all or nothing deal then. I was edging towards just leaving it. Cue discussion about the wisdom spending money on a guitar that isn't exactly top of the line. I'd always believed it was a solid top and laminate back and sides. Although it does sound better than most solid top only guitars I've played. Everyone in the shop liked the way it sounded and after much poking, tapping, peering with a torch and second and third opinions we ended up undecided. It looks as if at least the back is solid too but the jury was hung.
He asked what my motivation for wanting it tinkered with was. Really it's just that because the guitar is of sentimental value I know i'll never get rid of it but because it doesn't play quite as well as others I own, I don't tend to use it that much these days. I figured if it was my best playing and sounding guitar i'd just get a load more use out of it. I'd love to use it live again too. I really didn't feel like he was trying to sell me anything so asked if he thought it was worth getting the refret. He looked me straight in the eye and said "definitely".
So i left it with him for a refret, new bone nut and saddle and buffalo horn pins. I also bought a new hard case and tried out a few acoustic amps. Will decide about the amp when i go back but am feeling pretty happy with the decision to spend money bringing an old favourite back up to spec.