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Hey guys -

Through a unfortunate series of events, I found myself with a long crack in one of my sides.  I superglued it back together, sanded it level again (with one spot not as well matched-up as I'd like - mildly worried about the resulting thickness there).  It's now glued up to the tail block, which should hold it well, and I'm planning to put some extra reinforcement strips in the area.

So, question to the experienced:  is this sufficient?  Will this be a significant flaw in the integrity of the instrument, or is this case or patch-it-up-and-move-on?

Thanks!  - Bill

Bill,
This is not too common. I've had it happen once. I used hot hide glue though, it seems to disappear if well matched.

I too added my first side braces, some call them splints. Since then I use side bracing in all mine, for such a future event as this.

If you are happy with it, go for it. IF it bothers you, stop right there.

What kind of wood? If it's Brazilian Ziricote or Bocote, you may as well forge ahead, they do this anyway sometimes.   

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Bill, you might try to laminate a very thin layer (.020 or .030) of matching wood to the inside, make it full height of the side, and run it from the end block to the first side brace(or to the end of the crack). Place the side brace at the termination of the laminate. My guess is that you would never have this problem revisit.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Hey guys - thanks!  Bruce, it's plain old EIR.  Lance, that's a great suggestion, unfortuantely I don't have that much extra wood.  I think I will use what I have to reinforce it prior to putting in the form.

Moving forward - thanks guys - Bill

I laminate all of my sides and I use lower grade EIR I get from Allied
They do sell sides separately

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Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

Bill, what kind of wood are you using? Im sure someone could come up with some scraps to help you out.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Bill,
    Drop me your address and I'll throw a pair of Indian rosewood sides in the
mail to you. I have extra sets that have never had mathing backs.

Regards,
Kevin Gallagher/Omega Guitars

Kevin, Lance -

That is very, very generous of you, I greatly appreciate it -

I did some work today on it though, and I think I'm satisfied with the reinforcement I've done.  Yeah, I had checked out Allied as well - but I think I'm OK at this point.

The frustrating thing - well, I've done kits before this, so for the first time I planed to thickness (and I did use hand tools Rick ) and bent the sides - anticipating something to go wrong.  But no, it was all cool, had it in the form, and rather than a mistake I made, it was a dumb accident that caused the problem.

Thanks again guys!!

Bill, If it's any comfort, I let two rim ready sets sit on the floor awaiting tops and backs.

BUMP, tumble, SPLIT. Man was I bummed to find a ten inch split down one Indian Rosewood Drednaught side. Good old HHGlue and side braces saved it. After sanding, it is imperceivable, sometimes we amaze ourselves, ay?

All great suggestions and offers in this thread. Makes me proud I hang out here on the OLF.

PS Bill, I did a secondary tracing of the Bass tracing you sent me. ONe step closer to a mold for that baby. Yahoo.

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