|
|
Joined:
October 2004
Posts: 48
Location: State College, PA | When my then-three year old dropped my 1111-1 (13911) on the hardwood floor six years ago, the bowl hit at a spot about 7 inches along the bowl from the peg - about at the spot where my arm would cross the binding when playing.
The edge of the top took the impact, the guitar toppled onto its face, then the head hit, snapping it off the neck.
The head's back on. It isn't factory-pretty, but it's solid. I've had strings on it for about two weeks now. The instrument sounds wonderful. It's gone through a lot. I've had it more than 25 years - almost half my life. I want to put it into shape to last.
But there's a crack - it's about 8 inches long, parallel to the floor (in playing position), from the impact spot on the edge of where the binding joins the top. It runs from binding to binding. At it's closest point it's about 2 3/4 inches above the bridge. If you sight along the top you can see that the top is in two planes that meet at that crack.
I want to stabilize the top. I've looked around the web and seen some advice on top repair. Here's an adaptation I'm considering - but I'd like input before doing it:
I'd remove the strings, then work a little white glue up from beneath the crack, using a flexible plastic spatula (old AAA card, actually). I'd figure that if I can see a little white glue from above, I'll have filled any void (can't see a void when I look at the crack, but it must be there - haven't tried putting alight inside the guitar to see).
One site suggested placing a thin, carved bit of pine bracing across the crack at about mid-point to add a little mechanical bracing.
Does this sound alright?
I'd be grateful for your opinions -
Thanks all -
Michael
State College, PA |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 613
Location: Zion, Illinois | Maybe you could posted some pic's so that we can get a better idea.
I bought an Ovation Elite 12-string a while back with the top split almost the entire lentgth of the top. I bought a book, "Guitar Player Repair Guide" and followed some of its tips. I used carpenters glue, not the white stuff. I moisened the wood around the crack, then worked the glue in. I had precut some wooden dowels to fit between the inside of the bowel and the top to push the two cracked sides up to make the even and to give support. I then used good masking tape to pull the two cracked sides together. I started my tape on the side furthest from the crack, laided the tape along the entire top until I just about reached the crack, then I pulled the tape tight and passed over the crack without pushing the tape down, then continued on past the crack pulling the tape over the edge. I laided down a number of these strips of tape, the let it sit for a few days. I got very luck, you couldn't ask for a better seal. From the inside I couldn't even feel it anymore.
Good luck on your repair |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2004
Posts: 48
Location: State College, PA | Excellent post, Bradley - thanks!
Did you do something to seal or repair the finish, or did the glue accomplish that?
There a re s couple of spots on mine where tiny pits of the finish are missing: near the point of impact at the binding, plus a couple of small spots on the top. You can see bare wood. Does polyurethane sound alright to seal those?
Again, many thanks for the reply -
Michael
State College, PA |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 613
Location: Zion, Illinois | one word - SUPERGLUE!
Not the thin stuff you can buy anywhere, but the thick stuff I got from a hobby store.
Fill the hole, let it dry, put masking tape around it, use a razor blade to get the glue to the level of the tape, remove tape and sand and buff.
Good luck |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | The finish on the O's is a catalyzed polyester...hard and stable. A trick (complements of Kim Keller) is that you can easily remove CyA (instant/crazy glue) with the CyA solvent without harming the finish. So don't be concerned if a little gets on the finish. As far as sanding - StewMac says you can use 2000 grit on an Ovation. However, suggest at least 6,000 or 8,000 for final. I have up to 12,000-then use their #4 swirl remover.
If you seal the wood crack from the bottom with CyA and it hasn't filled the top crack, you can use a water soluble. Glue on the top to fill it, build it up, sand it flush, and buff. An advantage to this is if you want to color the inside of the crack (especially if there is old wax or dirt in the crack), you can mix acrylic paint with the glue - both water soluble. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | I have stabilized finish cracks with the following material:
Stew Mac #10 glue
2500 wet dry sand paper
MacGuire X
The thin glue goes into the crack, fills it up.
Lightly sand with the wet dry sandpaper. It will give your top an unwanted matt finish.
To bring it back to gloss use, Macguire x.
I'm sure you can adapt the finishing part to your project. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2004
Posts: 48
Location: State College, PA | Great information, all -
It'll probably be another week before I can do this -
I'll post updates / results reports.
Many thanks!
Michael
State College, PA |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2003
Posts: 1498
Location: San Bernardino, California | Repeat after me: Meguiar's, Meguiar's, Meguiar's
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=guitar/search/d=tp?q=meguiar
FWIW: they've been in the auto detailing business for years. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Meguiar's X! from the auto store. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2004
Posts: 48
Location: State College, PA | Hmmmm - ok, I think I've got it:
A little thick CA (I've used this stuff building RC aircraft), maybe a little whitle glue, and it sounds as if I need to get to know Maguires.
Two last questions for the time being:
What did you think about adding a little bracing across the crack - maybe a square inch or so at about the center of the crack's length.
And, where can I get sanding / polishing cloths in the extremely fine grit you mention?
Thanks for your insights, guys...
Michael
State College, PA |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | try this: StewMac
also fun to look through their catalog |
|
| |
Old Warrior - dealing with a crack...
