Official Luthiers Forum!

I know this has been discussed in the past, but what's the best and quickest way to rehydrate a guitar that has developed a top crack?

Thanks

Good example in my shop now, a newer Martin came in with a massive top split. All I do is take a Damp-it and put it in the guitar. Check (and fill) it twice a day for 3 days and then 1 time a day for 4 days. It has been 7 days and the crack is completely closed and invisibe. Took a bit of time to find it and press it open to get glue in. Now it is drying and I will put a few cleats in. This should be an invisible repair. Unless of course the gremlins attack
hope this helps, Evan

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http://www.NewYorkGuitarRepair.com

A little patch (diamond shaped usually) glued on the underside to help hold the cracked area closed.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Thanks Evan,
I am assuming that the trick to this is covering the sound hole? Is a dampit the one that covers the sound hole?

Thanks Again

Good call Jimmie, yes, I take some low tack drafting tape to seal the open spots around the damp-it.
Brock described the cleat perfectly Hesh, but since I am a NYC jew we actually don't use diampnd shaped cleats. We use diamonds
Let me know how it progresses or if you have any questions.
Evan

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http://www.NewYorkGuitarRepair.com

As Evan describes, I did 3 guitar tops that came to me last year. As far as I know 2 of the three held, but the 3rd opened back up in spite of the repair, using hide glue and cleats. Some instruments have wood that simply react to changes in humidity more than others. Stable wood is a godsend to luthiers...

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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."

Be strong, Hesh...once that deal is consummated, you can forget about a bathroom shop! Then again, you're gonna have to move out of there soon anyway!

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Thanks Evan for that great tip!

Hesh, make a man of yourself and inlay your diamonds on that awesome girl's finger, she sure deserve it ok bro! Where would you find another woman being able to put up with a bathroom luthier? Marry her and invite us to the ceremony!

[QUOTE=Evan Gluck] Good call Jimmie, yes, I take some low tack drafting tape to seal the open spots around the damp-it.[/QUOTE]
Just a word of caution on tape over finishes.
Some tapes adhesive reacts chemically with finishes, actually melting in slightly. Usually the tape must remain for more than a few days before it leaves "tape tracks".
I experienced this on lacquers most often. I contacted 3-M about it a few years back and they were supposed to be developing a new adhesive backing to prevent just that.

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Paul Bordeaux
http://www.bordeauxinlay.com

Good call Paul,
I am actually ultra-paranoid about stuff like that, I replace the tape daily and put it in different spots.
Evan

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http://www.NewYorkGuitarRepair.com

Thanks Paul,

I am using low tack tape and I change it daily.

Thanks