Removing a bad drop fill?

[tbonesullivan]

So, I've got a guitar that I paid someone to do a drop fill on the top of, and honestly, I'm not happy with it. He said he could do a color match, but that was full of crap, and instead it looks like some kind of funky stain on the wood. It would have looked BETTER if it had just been a CLEAR drop fill.

So, any tips on how to get the drop fill out so I can drop in some clear nitro?

[JohnnyB]

A little fine sanding/filing and a do-it-yourself? Otherwise, we have any number of fine luthiers and guitar techs here who could do it right.

[Toadroller]

What is a drop fill? I've never heard the term before.

Oh, and pics, please?

[JohnnyB]

What is a drop fill? I've never heard the term before.

Oh, and pics, please?

I didn't know either. Follow this link to get the gist of it.

[velorush]

What is a drop fill? I've never heard the term before.

Oh, and pics, please?

I didn't know either. Follow this link to get the gist of it.

I was about to explain what it was, but the only reason I knew it by that name was from StewMac repair emails. His tips on using thinned super glue really work.

[tbonesullivan]

Before:

after:

The thing is this WAS from a "good recommended luthier" and cost me a bunch (at least 2 bills). I asked for a nitro drop fill. It clearly was NOT nitro as I can see the edges of the fill. It's about as color matched as green and blue. He even said this was the third try. If I had known it would look like that I would have just done a clear drop fill at home. I've got more than enough skill to do that, in addition to lots of buffing compounds, super fine sand paper, etc.

The best way to level the top of a drop fill: tape on a razor blade. Gets it down really close to the correct level. THen just a little sanding, and buff out.

[Sugartune]

Nice blueburst though!

[tbonesullivan]

I know! I should have just taken it with me back to the factory when I went to heritage. Ugh.

[Toadroller]

Can you still get P-tex, like I used to use on my skis?

[tbonesullivan]

Can you still get P-tex, like I used to use on my skis?

Would that make it easier to go down the riding on it? Or would it maybe help with wind resistence?

Might not help the guitar but might help this: did I mention I love the color blue?

[Toadroller]

Beautiful FJR there. I Love sport touring bikes, like this, the Concours, VFRs...

[Armitage]

I think the best way to get rid of a bad drop fill is to sell it on eBay...

[tbonesullivan]

I think the best way to get rid of a bad drop fill is to sell it on eBay...

I can't sell blue guitars. Also, the little dude on the headstock would haunt my dreams.

[hamerhead]

..... Also, the little dude on the headstock would haunt my dreams.

Fixed.

[Steve Haynie]

The little dude on the headstock does not scare me, but this one scared me when I was a kid!

[dhuber]

Hmm... I wonder if I can fill this? I like my guitars minty. Most of mine are except this 8502 American Ash Telecaster. Fortunately it's on the bottom back side and is not visible when I play. it is a nice guitar regardless of the chip.

I woke up around 1:00 AM Sunday morning thinking I want a Telecaster so I went to eBay and found this just listed with a buy it now. I think with shipping it was just over $500. The seller listed that his niece or nephew dropped it on the pavement and he could not bare to look at.

[tbonesullivan]

you may be able to steam out that wood a bit. Once it's fully steamed out a little bit of matching wood filler would be good, and they make pens to add grain. Then you just need to refinish.