Question on damaged guitar

[Jamolay]

Someone on local Craigslist is selling a Martin D-15 with a side crack, repaired once and broke again.


They are asking $200…
Is that something worth trying to fix again? The guitar otherwise looks fine, dusty. Maybe the seller is on here? I haven’t seen more than the pictures.

[nbarnes]

I would buy it at $200. Heck, it is likely worth a lot more than that with just a side crack.

[Jamolay]

What would a good fix cost?

[tadol]

That should be fixable - I’d be more concerned about what “repaired once” means -

[Jamolay]

I agree, ordinarily fixable, unless someone botched it. Certainly unknowns. I wouldn’t likely try to fix it myself, so is the guitar worth $200 plus a bit of an uncertain fix?
If it cost a few hundred to fix and was likely to fix well, it is might be worth it.

[kcnbys]

$200?? Buy it, and get it fixed! You'll still be getting a great deal.

[Jimi2]

I had a side crack on my Larrivee repaired for about $200 last year. Don’t know if you’re in the same ballpark, but you could be.

[mirwa]

Easy repair

[BradHall]

If the previous repair was the same crack I would be concerned about what it was glued back together with. If it wasn’t hhg, all the remaining glue will need to be removed to make a good bond. Still a deal at the price.

[Jamolay]

Thanks for all you input! Now I need to decide if the project is worth it, I don’t need or really want the guitar that badly, just see an opportunity and like that kind of thing.

[Fathand]

Did you see the bridge lifting (maybe cracked) in that photo?

I'd buy it anyway, last Martin neck I saw was advertised for $350 by itself.

[PaulVA]

Yes, agree it's an easy repair for a pro. A crack that long should be glued and then reinforced with small wood "cleats" spaced each couple of inches on the inside of the guitar. My guess is that the first repair was done without the cleats and may be why the repair failed. You can check by looking inside with an inspection mirror and light, likely you'll see no added cleats. A good repair will make the crack almost un-noticeable and will hold for the long term.

[LHawes]

I would not be concerned that there's a side crack, as they are usually pretty easy to fix but in this case I'd also not be concerned about the length of the crack but the width is alarming. There's some other structural damage or issues, it seems, that's creating the width of the crack. Would be fun/interesting to attempt a fix but should probably left to a pro who can assess what the overall issues might be.

Also looks like it night have been dried out at some point?

For $200 I would buy because D-15's are generally really nice guitars and worth the risk but don't be surprised if the fix is more difficult than a simple side crack repair.

Good luck and keep us posted on the progress if any.

[Mirosh]

String tension is pulling that crack open. That bridge needs a close look, too, as someone suggested above. Loosen those strings and see how well it closes.

[Jamolay]

Thanks for all your responses and thoughts. Unfortunately, someone beat me to it. Such is life.