Conversions

A guitar conversion is more then a repair, not quite a restoration, but may be described as achieving both.

An X brace conversion is typically done on a more affordable vintage guitar such as a Gibson LG-1 (ladder braced) in order to transform it into a better sounding, structurally stable, and effectively more expensive Gibson LG-2.

Ladder braced instruments have a sound that is different to an X braced guitar. I think an X braced guitar sounds superior in every way to a ladder braced guitar but to each their own. Its a personal choice of tone.

General method of conversion is too carefully remove the top with heat, remove all braces south of the soundhole, add new X bracing (using torrified spruce), add new small maple bridge plate (to match the original LG2’s).

An X brace conversion typically coincides with a neck reset, a refret, new nut/saddle and setup. (and possibly a new bridge).

It is time consuming, multi stage, expensive endeavor typically reserved for a dull sounding guitar that has great potential.

Gibson LG-1’s from the 1950’s and 1960’s are excellent candidates for this work as are the various Martin F hole archtop guitars (“C”, and “R” ) from the 1930’s (which cost $3000-$5000) which can be converted into 1930’s spec OM-18 or OM-28’s (which cost $30,000-$100,000).

I’m not great at math but a converted C-2 is the only way i’ll ever afford a 1930’s OM Martin!