How Do Ya Fill in Screw Holes....

[zombywoof]

....without refinishing. The latest orphan to find its way to me is a 1955 Epi Ft-79. With a bit of work, I got it in good playing condition but this sucker really needs some serious pastic surgery. Looks like the guitar was professionally restored at one point in its life but then some nimrod got ahold of it and screwed down a big ugly thick double pickguard, replaced the truss rod cover with one so thick the strings rest against it and so on.

I want to plug the holes but do not want to mess with the original finish. I don't care if they blend in seamlessly but want to avoid it looking like the guitar has the pox.

Here is a pic:

[chris]

Difficult to explain over the internet. Basically, you want to plug the holes with a similar wood and trim it flush. If they're small enough holes for toothpicks, cut the body out of a few (toss the tips). A drop of wood glue in the hole, followed by the piece of toothpick. Wipe up all glue spooge you see (if it doesn't spooge at all, you probably want more glue). Clip them close to the top with a small pair of diaganol cutters. After it drys, trim it close using a gouge (I prefer one with a shallow sweep). Follow up with color (paint, stain, colored pencil, whatever is close in color) and seal it with a drop of lacquer. I'd leave it at that.

Rich may have something entirely different to say on the matter. I usually let him do all of my finish touchups.