All Discussions Tagged 'in' - FRETS.NET2024-03-29T15:50:28Zhttp://fretsnet.ning.com/forum/topic/listForTag?tag=in&feed=yes&xn_auth=noSEAGULL 12 STRING - BRIDGE CRACKED & TOP CAVING INtag:fretsnet.ning.com,2011-05-22:2177249:Topic:578842011-05-22T03:09:20.735ZMark Softichhttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/MarkSoftich
<p>First off, my name is Mark and I am new here. I am not a luthier, I am just a guy trying to pick up some skills and hope to be able to build guitars in the future. I wanted to start with some repairs since I am pretty familiar with setting up acoustic guitars and doing minor tasks like fret leveling, intonation, shaping new saddles and nuts. I picked up a Seagull SM12 on Ebay with a cracked bridge and the soundboard caving inward.</p>
<p>I know that a lot of 12 string guitars have problems…</p>
<p>First off, my name is Mark and I am new here. I am not a luthier, I am just a guy trying to pick up some skills and hope to be able to build guitars in the future. I wanted to start with some repairs since I am pretty familiar with setting up acoustic guitars and doing minor tasks like fret leveling, intonation, shaping new saddles and nuts. I picked up a Seagull SM12 on Ebay with a cracked bridge and the soundboard caving inward.</p>
<p>I know that a lot of 12 string guitars have problems with the string tension pulling the bridge area upward so I thought it was just the belly bulging up and I would be able to use a Bridge Doctor, but after receiving the guitar I noticed that the top is actually caving in more than I thought between the neck and bridge.</p>
<p>There is a hairline crack running from the bridge out toward the kerfing and bends up to the waist. At the waist the crack goes from a finish crack to a full open break in the top. See Image <a href="http://img809.imageshack.us/i/seagull3.jpg/">http://img809.imageshack.us/i/seagull3.jpg/</a></p>
<p>Looking down at the guitar in playing position the top dips from the fretboard to the bridge and then it slightly bulges up from the bridge to the tail. Here's an image <a href="http://img840.imageshack.us/i/seagull2.jpg/">http://img840.imageshack.us/i/seagull2.jpg/</a></p>
<p>Looking at the guitar from the tail to the headstock you can see the top is caved in at the waist. <a href="http://img827.imageshack.us/i/seagull1.jpg/">http://img827.imageshack.us/i/seagull1.jpg/</a></p>
<p>The top is also cracked at the glue joint all the way from the tail to the bottom of the soundhole. This crack moves when I push it so it's also a clean break al the way through.<a href="http://img684.imageshack.us/i/seagull4.jpg/">http://img684.imageshack.us/i/seagull4.jpg/</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>The bridge also has a crack forming all the way through the back 6 string holes. This looks like it could be glued and clamped. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Other than that the guitar is in pretty good condition. The neck is straight and strong, and the back and sides look great. I bought this guitar for cheap so I am not afraid to really dig into it. I am really looking for some experience. If you need any more information or pics from me please let me know.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thanks,<br/>Mark </p>
<p> </p> Can this be fixed?tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2010-06-08:2177249:Topic:303052010-06-08T04:41:23.203ZJohn Cartwrighthttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/JohnCartwright
Hello folks,<br></br><br></br>(just a reminder, I'm in the process of learning the trade mostly on my own with kind friends lending me some pretty torn up stuff for me to cut my teeth on - so far so good, and the old Bay State guitar many of you have helped me with is doing fine and sounding great! Just waiting on my friend to find the vintage tuners he wants and it's done - used cheap tuners to set it up) ...meanwhile, back at the ranch:<br></br><br></br>OK, my cousin just handed me this baby today. I…
Hello folks,<br/><br/>(just a reminder, I'm in the process of learning the trade mostly on my own with kind friends lending me some pretty torn up stuff for me to cut my teeth on - so far so good, and the old Bay State guitar many of you have helped me with is doing fine and sounding great! Just waiting on my friend to find the vintage tuners he wants and it's done - used cheap tuners to set it up) ...meanwhile, back at the ranch:<br/><br/>OK, my cousin just handed me this baby today. I haven't dated it myself, but he has dated it to being a 1936(ish) Gibson L-3. The pictures tell the story. The neck joint seems solid, no pulling way from the body, but the shoulders and top are crushed in. As you may be able to tell from one of the pictures, there was a clear attempt to repair this some time back, but obviously there was a major failure. Don't know if it was dropped or just heavy strings used and stashed in an attic - no idea. Other than this, there are some solid successfully repaired cracks that look fine, hardly any checking to the finish and all looks in good order, though it will require a re-fret job as it was played heavily and the frets are down to nothing on the treble side up to the 9th fret or so.<br/><br/>So, from what you guys can tell, is this (1) repairable for regular use? (2) most likely from stress or accident? And (3), is this something that should be turned over to a seasoned pro? (if turned over to a pro, what would a job like this cost?)<br/><br/>As always, MANY THANKS!!!!<br/><br/>best, <br/>John<br/>