Repaired cracks

[Mr. Jelly]

I have to admit I back away from guitars with repaired cracks. Often I don't see any big discount on them myself. It seems like if you waited for a good deal you'd only get a hundred or two discount buying one with a repaired crack.

[Truckjohn]

Crack repairs are part of the ongoing maintenance of a musical instrument... For them to sound good - they have to be built on the fragile side... They will crack. But... A good instrument is a good instrument..

As to value.. I think it depends on the guitar in question.. For a modern instrument - I would expect some reduction in value unless it's invisible. I think the "how much?" depends on what you find.. Poorly or unrepaired cracks are one thing... Properly repaired cracks are another.

One thing I am always on the lookout for is signs of hack work.. One simple reason: What lies beneath? You just never know what you will find with hack work... A couple drywall screws, a chunk of saw blade, a giant blob of fiberglass... "Pour and shake" lutherie is still alive my friends...

[HOF dad]

Originally Posted by Mr. Jelly

I have to admit I back away from guitars with repaired cracks. Often I don't see any big discount on them myself. It seems like if you waited for a good deal you'd only get a hundred or two discount buying one with a repaired crack.

Thanks for all the input. I guess I kind of feel like Mr. Jelly. Unless it's an amazing deal (which would then have me worried that it's worse than advertised), I back away from repaired instruments. It's like buying a nice looking car that was wrecked then repaired. Looks good now but just bugs me knowing the history.