I recently came across this what i am assuming to be vintage guitar in pretty rough shape.
All i can really find on the guitar is richter manufacturing company on it but im not sure if they make guitars or what?
Any info on this would be greatly appreciated on if this would be worth restoring
I do have hardware for it although its not pictured
Don't know anything about richter manufacturing company/guitars...In the pic, it looks as if someone has started to scallop the fretboard? At least the first several frets...Interesting...
From the peghead it's a Richter alright.
They made guitars in Chicago from 1926-1943. Besides selling under their own brand (which yours is), they also made Sweetheart, Buckeye, Plainsman, and "Home on the Range" guitars.
They were the Silvertone of their day - their guitars were carried by catalog stores like Montgomery Ward.
Guitar teacher offering lessons in Plainfield IL
i have all of the hardware for it would it be worth getting restored or even possible to be restored?
Worth restoring? Really depends- worth it in what sense?
As I see it, it's a mass produced, low-end ish guitar. Quite old, and as you say, in rough shape. How far it can be restored to playability will depend, and it's often hard to tell how far you'll be able to get. At a glance in your photos, I don't see any life threatening flaws, but it's hard to tell.
But, worth it? Well, most likely it won't be worth a lot. Even high end guitars that old aren't worth too much, unless they're rare, in good condition, or both. Seems to me like this one isn't too rare, and not in too good a condition. So it's most likely (correct me if I'm wrong, guys) never going to be worth much $$.
But, if you've got the parts...do you like the work? I think it's cool looking. Sort of Woody Guthrie meets Roy Rogers. It could be, especially if you get it playable, a really cool bit of the past to own. And sometimes old wood just sounds GREAT. Whether it'll be a great sound-er or not, of course, you really won't know until you get strings on'er.
I'd do it, if I had the time. What have you got to lose?
Best,
Ande
PS- I just re-read your post. If you're considering restoring it (yourself) I would go for it. If you're thinking of having a pro do the work, I'd be a lot more hesitant. THe cool thing about projects like this is turning something old and junky into something cool and retro. But getting it done, my guess, would be more $$ than the final product is likely to be worth. Unless it has some special meaning for you, I might not. (where did you get it?)
If you are restoring it and intending to play it, by all means it's worth it.
If you are restoring it and intending to sell it, you won't get your money back out of it.
