Official Luthiers Forum!

Last night I was helping my 16yr old daughter complete her first guitar, a cutaway classical. We were just finishing up the french polish finish when all of the sudden I bumped into the guitar and it went crashing to the floor! My daughter has been working on this guitar for 2 years! I felt sick. I put a 2"X 2" hole in her cedar soundboard right below the bridge and a couple of dings in other areas.

My daughter looked shocked but not dissapointed, She then gave me a big hug and said " it's ok Dad it'll be alright". After I calmed down I re evaluated the damage and told myself, I think I can fix that. I have never repaired this sort of damage but I have all the books on it and I just got some hide glue and $9 adjustable hot pot from target (thanks for the idea guy's).

Today I cut out the bad section and made a new piece to fit. BTW this guitar was latticed braced and carbon fiber reinforced so there was absolutely no damage done to the bracing. I've never used Hide glue before but now I think I'm a real convert especially for repairs. So far every thing is going well, I just hope I can get a pretty close match to the original. I'll post pictures of the finished product.

Don't be discouraged, everybody has'em (bad days that is)

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

Ed,
I'm sorry to hear that happened. I know that you are really bummed, but look at the bright side. Your daughter may have a few dings in her guitar, but she'll also have a great story to tell down through the years that will remind her of the time you two spent together on her guitar.

Ed:

I know the busted guitar is heartbreaking, but from your daughter's reaction, you have raised a young woman of incredible character!

-Mark

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Pullman, WA

The more I know, the more I know I don't know.

trippguitars.com
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What Mark said....

Hey, if you want a new cedar top, just say the word and I'll give you one.

Bless your daughter's heart! What a great kid. You should be proud of her.

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

Sad about the guitar, happy with your daughter, I'm sure. It's only a guitar. Reaction of your daughter, priceless. Time to make lemonade. It looks like you have someone to enjoy a glass with!

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

I can just imagine how sick you felt. But what a sweetheart your daughter is! And don't forget to give yourself credit for doing this with her in the first place.

Good luck with the repairs. I'm sure folks on this forum will be happy to help you out.

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John Cavanaugh
Saint Paul, MN
"What could possibly go wrong?"

Sorry to hear about the guitar Ed but i'm sure something positive will come out of this, i can't be much help but you've got all my support friend and god bless your daughter!

Regards

Serge

Ed, if it's not too soon to relate a similar sad story...one Christmas I finished an heirloom curio cabinet for my mom...had it sitting up on my tablesaw to final inspect and load into a uhaul the next morning to travel...went out bright and early, raised the shop door up, and BAM! knocked it off the saw table, to the unforgiving concrete floor...into pieces and totally without redemption! But, we went anyway, and I got to spend 3 days in my uncle's shop building another curio and in the process getting to know him really for the first time in my adult life, and the bond we have now I wouldn't trade for anything...so, my mom got her cabinet and I got something much more valuable...sounds as though you and your daughter know what I'm speaking of!   Good luck with the repairs!

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http://www.presnallguitars.com

Oh man, Ed, I don't even know what to say. I can't imagine what you must have felt, but I echo everyone's sentiments about your daughter. Congratulations on bringing up a fine young lady, and as far as the guitar, hopefully the hide glue and time will help heal your pain.

Craig
CT Holden Luthiery and Supplies

As the father of a 5-yr-old girl, I hope and pray that, as the years go by, she can be as forgiving of my mistakes - AND that she'll want to build a guitar with me someday! Your story warms my heart even as I can imagine the sickening feeling you felt in that awful moment.

If I were in your shoes and had any doubt as to how to proceed with the repair, I would definitely get in touch with Frank Ford. I would wonder whether replacing the top might be wise. Just my two cents.   

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

Ed, oh man I feel for you in that you no doubt wish it was your work product that was damaged.

Your daughter's reaction suggests to me that you did not make other serious parental accidents in her upbringing. That's a gift more special than any guitar ever built!

my cat peed on a guitar once..... but its ok we are still friends

   this will make a wonderful memory for both of you. When you are long from the earth she will rememeber that day knowing that no matter how bad the situation got , Dad could make it better
Learn more from failures than you do from successes
john hall

G'day Ed,
           I have tears in my eyes after reading of your wonderful daughter. Man O man she is something else !
Your bond has probably become even stronger, if that's possible ! Please tell her that she has our deepest respect .
   What a fantastic project to do together. I really feel for you Ed., but don't be too hard on yourself. Accidents do happen ! To have a daughter like that you deserve "Father of the Year "

Regards KiwiCraig

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CRAIG LAWRENCE of AUSTRALIA
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You know, my wife has this deeper wisdom that sometimes eludes me....I just read your post to my wife again, and she gave this very profound explanation for your daughter's response. She didn't mind it so bad, because she was probably building this guitar along side her Dad. This was more about the quality time with you, than the end product of a guitar. You know, I'll bet my wife is right. All the more reason why you have such a special kid...you have a special relationship...

Don

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

I want to thank all you guys for your wonderful comments. I was very moved by the kind words, and yes, I truly feel blessed to have such a fine daughter.

I wanted my daughter to see what a fine group of people you are so I had her read this thread, after reading it she was so touched she got all teary eyed. It's so nice to see that there are still such fine people around!

As far as the guitar goes, the patch came out looking pretty decent, I'll post pictures tommorrow. I asked my daughter if she wanted to replace the whole top but she said she'd rather keep this one. Like you said, there are too many good memories in this top to just disgard it. I think the top now has more character and an old world look to it.

Thanks again

Ed Barajas

Now you got the Bear wipin' tears , look what you've done to me . Your story touched me like it did most of us, in our sensible spots and i'm glad i participated in this thread Mr Ed, i knew there was gonna be a good ending to it, God bless your family sir!

Serge

Ed,

Sounds like it turned out to be a very fine day! Years from now she'll look at that spot on the top and cherish the day her guitar took its dive, and remember your efforts to make it right. And what a great piece of family history as that guitar gets handed down in future generations.

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now known around here as Pat Foster
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

Ed, when I read your recount of the guitar tragedy, and your daughter's immediate response, it just warmed my heart. (her reaction, not the guitar) I have no idea what your skills are as a luthier, but you certainly have done some good parenting, and she has certainly learned to recognize what is really important.

It would have been impressive if she had figured it out after a few days, but for her to have veered so very quickly from what had to be a terrible moment for her, and to immediately re-focus on your feelings, is an astounding testament to her character.

I hope I pass that degree of character on to my daughter, and I hope my daughter forges that type of character in herself.

As a postscript, I read your original message, then left the computer to do some other work. I thought about the story, and how helpful the guys are at the OLF, and that they would offer suggestions for the repair, but I would offer my congratulations to you and your daughter for her strength of character. When I came back to the computer to write you a message, I then read the replies that you received. Again, it warmed my heart, this time that so many of the members here got the big picture. (I "misunderestimated" them.)

Take care, and thanks for sharing that story.

Dennis

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Dennis Leahy
Duluth, MN, USA
7th Sense Multimedia

Here are som pictures of my repair, this was the first time I ever attempted this.

Then I had to make a patch.



The patch was then fitted.

Here are the almost finished pictures.





Now we have to finish the guitar without destroying it.

And here's one of my Luthier in training!



Thanks again,

Ed.

Wow Ed, gret job on the repair, you must be really proud my friend, and your Luthier in training sure looks like she has a great teacher!

Thanks for sharing!

Serge

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......