Cracked top, will it be same after repairing

[cspencer]

I was looking at a secondhand guitar but there was a cracked top, all the way from the bridge to the heel. It is Sitka Spruce solid top. The crack is almost 5-6" long all the way to the end. When I press on one side I can see the other side not moving. So I suppose the crack is pretty bad. Will it be the same after repairing? Quality or sound wise?

[D. Churchland]

That's a pretty loaded question.

Some guitars sound better after they are repaired. Some guitars sound the same. Some guitars never sound any different.

There's no way to know. Provided the repair is done right and the cleats/splice is done well it'll be fine for a long time unless it suffers some random serious abuse in the future.

[cspencer]

That guitar was left in the sun room and unattended for 1-1/2 years, according to the seller. It just dried up. I respectfully rejected the offer. Didn't want to take any chances, especially for a 1973 Ovation Pacemaker. Probably not worth to buy even if it was cheap.

[mirwa]

Shame.

Cracks are not an issue if they run with the grain, the lignen (natural binder) has failed due to whatever reason,we simply substitute that with hide glue or an alphatic glue. Its not detrimental in any way.

Steve

[Frank Ford]

Simple - that crack is unlikely to influence either tone or longevity if properly repaired, but guaranteed to reduce resale value considerably.

[Earwitness]

Originally Posted by Frank Ford

Simple - that crack is unlikely to influence either tone or longevity if properly repaired, but guaranteed to reduce resale value considerably.

Whatever Frank says should be repeated.