Yet another soundhole crack - cause and repair - FRETS.NET2024-03-29T06:55:53Zhttp://fretsnet.ning.com/forum/topics/yet-another-soundhole-crack-cause-and-repair?commentId=2177249%3AComment%3A142811&feed=yes&xn_auth=noI've looked at that technique…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2015-02-19:2177249:Comment:1435132015-02-19T08:33:33.159ZNed Knepphttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/NedKnepp
<p>I've looked at that technique but I don't think I would want to use it in a case like this. I've experienced too many cracks that I though were closed up very well when I glued and clamped the thing up only to have the open up again later. If it's open even a little when I want to glue it up, I spline it now the first time around. That goes double if it starts/ends on a sound hole. I think they are more prone to breaking again because they are not so well supported on one end and I think a…</p>
<p>I've looked at that technique but I don't think I would want to use it in a case like this. I've experienced too many cracks that I though were closed up very well when I glued and clamped the thing up only to have the open up again later. If it's open even a little when I want to glue it up, I spline it now the first time around. That goes double if it starts/ends on a sound hole. I think they are more prone to breaking again because they are not so well supported on one end and I think a properly made spline fills the crack without inducing stress. </p>
<p>Just my opinion.</p> So the guitar is humidifying…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2015-02-18:2177249:Comment:1432352015-02-18T05:03:36.434Zeliyahttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/eliya
<p>So the guitar is humidifying again, and hopefully it'll take this time. However, <a href="http://hudelmayer.com/about-me/articles/hold-on-tight-the-strad-nov-2001-article-on-crack-repair/" target="_blank">I found this article about violin crack repair.</a> The technique is quite intriguing. Two studs are glued on either side of the crack, and then a small clamp pushes them together to help the crack close. It seems like this could be applied to crack repair with guitars. The thing I'm…</p>
<p>So the guitar is humidifying again, and hopefully it'll take this time. However, <a href="http://hudelmayer.com/about-me/articles/hold-on-tight-the-strad-nov-2001-article-on-crack-repair/" target="_blank">I found this article about violin crack repair.</a> The technique is quite intriguing. Two studs are glued on either side of the crack, and then a small clamp pushes them together to help the crack close. It seems like this could be applied to crack repair with guitars. The thing I'm worried about, though, is removing the studs. It'll be hard to remove the studs with steam without also perhaps heating the glue in the crack (which will then cause it to open). Perhaps prying the studs off, but I'm worried I'll take parts of the top with it.</p>
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<p>Anyone tried this before?</p> The problem with a spline, is…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2015-02-08:2177249:Comment:1429202015-02-08T14:52:37.985Zeliyahttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/eliya
<p>The problem with a spline, is that the crack goes through the abalone and is therefore jagged, so it'll be tough to get the piece of spruce in. I'll have to think more about how to do it properly.</p>
<p>The problem with a spline, is that the crack goes through the abalone and is therefore jagged, so it'll be tough to get the piece of spruce in. I'll have to think more about how to do it properly.</p> Think of it this way, Eliya;…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2015-02-07:2177249:Comment:1430062015-02-07T20:14:12.333ZNed Knepphttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/NedKnepp
<p>Think of it this way, Eliya; If you had repaired the crack earlier, the gap you see now would represent tension in the fibers of the sound board. If you can't close the gap,you may need to make a spline to fill it. </p>
<p>Think of it this way, Eliya; If you had repaired the crack earlier, the gap you see now would represent tension in the fibers of the sound board. If you can't close the gap,you may need to make a spline to fill it. </p> I actually started bringing d…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2015-02-07:2177249:Comment:1428222015-02-07T04:35:37.135Zeliyahttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/eliya
<p>I actually started bringing down RH in the case a day or two before your reply, Greg. I figured I'll give it a go, and can always bring it up again if it should be glued at 75%. RH is at 55% now, and the crack had opened a little bit (but not as bad as before). When the guitar was at 75% you couldn't even see the crack, now it's visible, and that's what I'm aiming for. Any idea how to keep the crack closed while bringing down the RH? Should I bring it down slower?</p>
<p>I actually started bringing down RH in the case a day or two before your reply, Greg. I figured I'll give it a go, and can always bring it up again if it should be glued at 75%. RH is at 55% now, and the crack had opened a little bit (but not as bad as before). When the guitar was at 75% you couldn't even see the crack, now it's visible, and that's what I'm aiming for. Any idea how to keep the crack closed while bringing down the RH? Should I bring it down slower?</p> Thank you!tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2015-02-05:2177249:Comment:1429842015-02-05T04:23:07.461Zeliyahttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/eliya
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>Thank you!</p> You're right, you should not…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2015-02-05:2177249:Comment:1428112015-02-05T04:19:19.561ZGreg Mirkenhttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/GregMirken
You're right, you should not glue it at 75%RH; that's inviting a crack opening at more typical humidities. Let it acclimatize to 50% or so for several days and keep an eye on the crack. It should be fine.
You're right, you should not glue it at 75%RH; that's inviting a crack opening at more typical humidities. Let it acclimatize to 50% or so for several days and keep an eye on the crack. It should be fine. Bump. I can't find informatio…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2015-02-04:2177249:Comment:1427802015-02-04T20:54:27.557Zeliyahttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/eliya
<p>Bump. I can't find information on whether other repair persons glue the crack at 75% RH or bring it down to 50%.</p>
<p>Bump. I can't find information on whether other repair persons glue the crack at 75% RH or bring it down to 50%.</p> The guitar's been humidifying…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2015-01-28:2177249:Comment:1426542015-01-28T01:44:15.171Zeliyahttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/eliya
<p>The guitar's been humidifying for a week, and in the last couple of days I finally managed to get the RH to 75% and it did wonders to the crack.</p>
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<p>Do you guys usually glue it up when it's in 75% RH environment or do you bring it back down to 45-50%? My thinking is that if it's glued at 75%, then the wood will shrink considerably when brought down the humidity the guitar is stored at. Is it correct to think that? Would the crack open again when I bring down the humidity? I guess…</p>
<p>The guitar's been humidifying for a week, and in the last couple of days I finally managed to get the RH to 75% and it did wonders to the crack.</p>
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<p>Do you guys usually glue it up when it's in 75% RH environment or do you bring it back down to 45-50%? My thinking is that if it's glued at 75%, then the wood will shrink considerably when brought down the humidity the guitar is stored at. Is it correct to think that? Would the crack open again when I bring down the humidity? I guess I could try doing it and see for myself, but I figured I'd ask here first.</p> Thanks. I'll do that. I forgo…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2015-01-20:2177249:Comment:1423492015-01-20T17:58:28.189Zeliyahttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/eliya
<p>Thanks. I'll do that. I forgot to mention it in the OP, but edited to reflect it: the neck is over set on this guitar. The saddle is a little too tall and tilted (yet the action is at factory standards). I don't know if that's a factor in figuring out this crack or not, though.</p>
<p>Thanks. I'll do that. I forgot to mention it in the OP, but edited to reflect it: the neck is over set on this guitar. The saddle is a little too tall and tilted (yet the action is at factory standards). I don't know if that's a factor in figuring out this crack or not, though.</p>