Fixing a sunken top

by Eric Gleason

Mar 8

Could use some help figuring out the best repair strategy for this Tacoma, whose top has sunk.  I mostly see this on Martins, but sometimes on other types as well.

This particular guitar is not worth the expense of removing and regluing braces.  Maybe some gentle heat and pressure on the inside to get the glue to creep and let the top come up?  Just bag it and make a taller saddle?

Humidifying it has had little effect.

  • up

    Roger Häggström

    My best guess is that the cross of the X-braces is loose or that a brace is cracked.

    Mar 10

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      Eric Gleason

      I did finally find a short crack in one of the X braces.  Was in a tough spot to see, even with a mirror.  I reglued that with a scissor jack pushing up from the inside and that brought the top up enough that she's playable.  

      For this cheap guitar, that's as far as we'll go.  

      1

      Mar 14

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        Mark McLean

        It is a nice looking top.  I hope your repair keeps it a bit straighter!

        Mar 23