I'm watching this thread with great interest as I hope to one day take the plunge and would have the same concern about the results of my efforts sounding like a cardboard box.
Not to be too free with your money, but if it were me, I think I'd be inclined to buy a new top and save the old one for another project. What if your guitar turns out to be the opposite of a cardboard box and sounds and looks awesome, but all you can ever see is that repaired crack?
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