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April 2003
Posts: 230
Location: Pewaukee, WI | I have a blue label 1869-5 with several top cracks (most of the rest of the guitar is pretty good). Is it worth having the top repaired? Leave as is? Suggestions?
Edited by Randy22 2023-01-03 2:30 PM
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 IMG_2192.jpg (36KB - 3 downloads)
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February 2016
Posts: 1802
Location: When?? | It's hard to tell from the photo what is top damage and what is reflection. Are the cracks deep into the wood or just on the finish? |
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Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 230
Location: Pewaukee, WI | I think they're all finish cracks but could be into the wood. Is there a way to tell (camera to the underside of the top maybe)? |
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December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | Take the approach of cleaning and filling the cracks while ensuring the inside moisture levels have been restored. If there's any structure damage you will see. |
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April 2003
Posts: 230
Location: Pewaukee, WI | Kept in my humidified basement 42 and above. |
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Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 230
Location: Pewaukee, WI | The cracks are clean, and I don't feel any movement when pressing on them. I can play it as-is, but would love to have the top prettier. |
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February 2016
Posts: 1802
Location: When?? | @Randy22 - >>> Is there a way to tell (camera to the underside of the top maybe)?<<<
Yes, a camera would be great.. and also put a light against the inside and check in a dark room to see if any comes through. If they are just finish cracks you can somewhat pretty it up with CA glue. The visual results on that can vary depending on the width of the cracking. Anywhere from completely disappearing to.. well.. a crack with clear glue in it. CA looks good with natural wood finish, but your black finish may not hide as well. No telling for sure unless you try it. Maybe just an inch or so first in the least conspicuous area to test results. There are several videos online that show how to do it correctly. I would recommend using a glue from a guitar parts source like StewMac to insure it is the correct viscosity and applicator tip. If the wood is cracked all the way through, the CA glue method will not fix the crack in a proper manner and will require deeper surgery and repair to keep it from getting worse. But since it already plays and sounds well to you, then heck, you're already half way to happiness as it is. |
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April 2003
Posts: 230
Location: Pewaukee, WI | So I did the bright (LED) light inside the bowl, and no light showing through.
Is it worth it to have the top refinished? |
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November 2002
Posts: 3611
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | The topcoat is pretty thick, so there will be some serious work in refinishing it. If you need the pristine aesthetic, knock yourself out. There ain't one critter in my yard that is even near to being flawless, but I love 'em, just the same. |
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Joined:
February 2016
Posts: 1802
Location: When?? | @Randy22 - >>>Is it worth it to have the top refinished?<<<
"Worth" is a relative term.. so the answer would have to come from yourself after you price it out on your own budget of having it done, or willingness to put in the efforts of doing it yourself. You could even take it into its own, unique visual realm like Seesquare did with Pandora II. And even though we had to airlift food and water into him for the process, and eventually have him committed for observation (albeit voluntarily), I think it turned out very cool. Here's a link to that one--
http://www.ovationfanclub.com/megabbs/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=50...
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November 2002
Posts: 3611
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Yeah, I think there may have been some pharmaceuticals in the rescue support shipments! Gave up Demon Rum a long time ago, so some form of attitude adjustment was definitely indicated. And, Pandora II remains stable, playable & very resonant. Well worth all the effort. It was fun revisiting that thread. Thanks! |
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June 2012
Posts: 2316
Location: Pueblo West, CO | Another way to tell if the cracks are in the finish or the top is to wet the cracks with naptha, also known as lighter fluid or Coleman Camp Fuel.
Then, look inside to see if any has weeped through. If the inside of the top stays dry, cracks are in the finish.
If the inside of the top shows wetness, the cracks are through the wood.
Naptha is good for this because it's very benign to the finish, wood and glue holding the braces. |
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September 2020
Posts: 23
| i would try the CA, if it works done, if not itll look a little better. i refinished my applause myself and that poly finish is tough to sand down.
Edited by slodoug 2023-01-29 9:12 PM
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Older 1869 with top cracks
