Key Crack

[Proclaimer888]

So what would you do? My guitar suffered a Key Crack. Imagine playing your guitar whilst sitting down with your keys in your pocket. I leaned forward and heard a "pop". At first, did not notice anything....Upon further inspection, right where my guitar rests on my leg, a 1.5 inch "indentation" or crack?? I can feel the crack but it does not seem to go through the wood if that makes sense?? I have inspected with a mirror and you cannot see a crack from the inside but surly its there. Heard you can put lighter fluid on the crack and see if it goes through to the inside??? I doubt it will as it seems the guitar finish looks intact.
From the outside, you will not see anything unless you shine a light on it and in the finish reflection, you notice a slight crease. I guess a crease is a better way to describe it. So a question for my guitar friends. What would you do?? It seems stable as it has been over a year an no changes. I am guessing a luither would start pushing on the location and possibly make it worse?? I play it now as before the incident, only without keys in my pocket. It is a nice gibson and love it, just a bit concerned.

[packocrayons]

Likely a finish crack and not through the wood, though the naptha (lighter fluid) trick might work to confirm. Obviously a few drops, don't just slather it on there.

Depending on the finish, it could be made invisible, or it could be lightly repaired but still visible.

[Frank Ford]

More commonly than not it IS a crack in the wood. From the outside it may look like a little shallow crease if you press on it:



But inside the crack will reveal itself if you look inn there while pushing a bit on the outside:




My preference is to glue in a 5/8" wide )3/32" thick) mahogany reinforcement that spans the full distance between top and back lining. That will keep the crack from spreadong when it gets leaned on in normal use.

[Proclaimer888]

Thanks for the replies....hopefully my story will remind fellow guitar fans to take out their car keys!! Will give an update to this as I move forward with options.