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  #1  
Old 10-11-2017, 08:56 PM
rodmbds rodmbds is offline
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Default Opinions about crack / dent on this guitar please

Hi folks! So I'm interested in a guitar and I'm buying it second hand online, so there's no way I could simply go there and see it for myself. I looks great except for a crack / dent on the side, here a link to the picture:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwA...w?usp=drivesdk

The current owner told me it happened after a fall. I'm not worried about cosmetic damage, as I'm left handed the crack would be facing down anyway. I'm worried about what could that be and if that could evolve into something bigger.

Then I ask you guys, how much should I be worried about that? Thanks a lot in advance.
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  #2  
Old 10-11-2017, 09:31 PM
stormin1155 stormin1155 is offline
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It doesn't look like something that would spread. There's really not a lot of structural tension on that area. If you are concerned about it, it would be very easy to put a patch on that area from the inside. In any case, I'd watch it, and if the crack starts to spread, get it repaired and cleated. Be sure to keep it properly hydrated. Drying out could cause the crack to spread.
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  #3  
Old 10-23-2017, 09:41 AM
rodmbds rodmbds is offline
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Ok thanks! I thought about, from the inside, use some araldite mixed with some wood dust. Outside, sand it and refinish it super glue.

I'm far from being an expert at repairing, that's why I'm looking for some enlightenment here. Am i thinking right about the araldite and super glue? I mean, that's what I have at home so...

Thanks!
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  #4  
Old 10-23-2017, 10:14 AM
charles Tauber charles Tauber is offline
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The photo doesn't show the damage sufficiently well to make any comment on its specifics.

If it does require reinforcement, typically, the way to do that is either with glued wooden cleats on the inside or a solid piece of wood that conforms to the shape of the side and is glued to the interior of the side. Either animal-based glues - hide or fish - or a yellow glue (aliphatic resin) are the best choices.

As for the exterior, super glue might be an option, but you likely don't want to sand to bare wood. A closer photo of the damage is required to make any specific comment.
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  #5  
Old 10-23-2017, 11:22 AM
rodmbds rodmbds is offline
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Ok, great. Thanks for that. As I said the guitar is used and I haven't actually got my hands on it yet. Maybe today or tomorrow. I'll post more detailed pics then.
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  #6  
Old 10-24-2017, 03:21 PM
rodmbds rodmbds is offline
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So, I got the guitar today. Apparently the damage is a big dent on the wood. It didn't punch through to the inside. I even tried a flashlight from the inside and it's doesn't go through it.

I put some other pictures of "small dents" and stuff. The frets look dead, I'll have them polished. Here you go:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwA...w?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwA...w?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwA...w?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwA...w?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwA...w?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwA...w?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwA...w?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwA...w?usp=drivesdk

So, I don't think I need the patch from the inside, right? But how can I approach the repair outside?

It sure didn't damage the finish, looks like the wood suffered a hit and got bent inwards. I thought about using F12 or even Araldite mixed with some wood dust. Is that, say, "stupid"? Should I just stick with super glue anyway?

About the other small dents, have you got an opinion about them? I don't really mind, it's cosmetic and it doesn't bother me. But if it's an easy fix wouldn't hurt to give it a try.

Thanks a lot!
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  #7  
Old 10-24-2017, 03:46 PM
Truckjohn Truckjohn is offline
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The guitar must have taken a significant knock.

You have several braces knocked loose there in your pic. I would have a luthier take a good look at that.
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  #8  
Old 10-24-2017, 03:52 PM
Frank Ford Frank Ford is offline
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No real structural problem on a plywood guitar - flood a bit of cyanoacrylate in under the polyester finish, build it up as needed, level and polish. That sounds a bit easier than it actually is, so there's no harm in simply ignoring the cosmetics.

You could reglue those loose back brace ends, or just let them be for now. . .
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  #9  
Old 10-24-2017, 04:36 PM
rodmbds rodmbds is offline
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Nice. About the braces, you mean the pieces that for the fan bracing or the ones that join the top / side and side / back, the ones which look like teeth? (Pardon my vocabulary )

How could I reglue them? Any specific kind of glue or could I use something like Araldite or "yellow wood glue"?

Do you guys think it was caused by a / the fall or could it be poor quality in making the guitar?

Thanks again guys! I'll sure post some before / after pictures after it's done.
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  #10  
Old 10-24-2017, 04:57 PM
mirwa mirwa is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rodmbds View Post
or the ones that join the top / side and side / back, the ones which look like teeth? (Pardon my vocabulary)
We call that kerfing.

Steve
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  #11  
Old 10-24-2017, 07:41 PM
rodmbds rodmbds is offline
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So, after a further inspection, on the inside of the dent, though not visible through pictures, there's a little hump there. Should I be worried? I tried pushing it from the inside but it doesn't move at all.

Yep, two braces have a tiny gap on the same side. It appears that it took a bad fall indeed, on its left side. The gap is little but enough for me to put my fingernail under it. I also tried pressing it down but again, it didn't move.

I didn't mention it before, the guitar is nylon strung. It doesn't take a lot of tension, at least not as much as a "regular" steel string.

I've watched some videos about fixing braces and, to be honest, don't know if I have the skills for that. Not to mention, I don't have that tool (forgot the name) for keeping pressure on the brace after applying glue to it.

Needless to say, I appreciate all the inputs here from the forum. Have been learning so much. I kinda feel blessed by this guitar, I haven't even started playing it and already learned so much!
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  #12  
Old 10-25-2017, 06:36 AM
rodmbds rodmbds is offline
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Me again inspecting the braces this morning, I could get a feeler gauge under the two braces, both on the left side of the guitar. Here are pics:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwA...w?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwA...w?usp=drivesdk

I've done my research and found I could use some glue under it and clamp it down. Thing is, clamping doesn't do anything!

It appears to me that the braces are holding tight, the gap doesn't really get to the edge of it. One of them sort of moves when I press from the back of the guitar, but instead of the back meeting the brace, the gap actually gets bigger.

I'm thinking about filling the gap with araldite or wood glue and letting it be. As I mentioned, the guitar is nylon strung and it's not gonna take a lot of tension.

Please, help! Thanks
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  #13  
Old 10-25-2017, 11:14 AM
rodmbds rodmbds is offline
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Concerning the big dent, I tried using the iron + wet cloth to see if the wood could come up a little. Apparently it did:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwA...w?usp=drivesdk

Not fixed, but better IMO. At least before using super glue on it as Frank mentioned. What do you guys think?

Now... Loose braces?!?! I'm thinking about filling it with Araldite. Any thoughts?
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