How do I fix seam separation?

[Ethan]

Hi, my name is Ethan I am new to this site.

I just purchased a Harmony 1215 as my first project. There is significant seam separation on the top and back. And both top and back have shrunk in a few places, upto an 1/8 in one spot.

What is the best way to fix this problem? I thought maybe cut the sides where they meet at the tail and pull them together to meet the shrunken top and back. Or should i make a jig to clamp the side enough to bring them closer to flush and then glue it?

I know these are pretty cheap and common guitars, but as my first project I would like to have a positive result and feel like I accomplished something. Overall my goal is geared toward function > form. Thanks.

[Tim Mace]

How about a decorative strip of inlayed herring bone or other down the back? Channel it out, lay it in.Sounds kinda neat though I've never done it.
Or bondo the gaps...haha

[danove]

I should remove the plates - one at a time, for easier regluing - fill the gaps,
reinforce it with some cleats, and at the same time inspect for lose braces.
Gap and strip sides should be somewhat slanted, to ensure perfect alignment.

If needed, widen the sides seam at the end block.
Tighten and reglue one side at the time to fit.
Finish with a nice inlay at the seam.

Check the humidity so that nothing evolves if moving from very dry to a humid climate.

Forcing things together is usually no good way.
Cant say for sure though, without some good photos on the problems.

Welcome Ethan!

[Bob Webster]

Hi, Ethan. Can you provide us with some images? I'm a bit confused about the nature of the separations.

Thanks,
Bob

[FRANK]

for your first project you may start off slower and pick a different repair to do.. A fret job bone nut or saddle? and start measuring in 1 /32 eds band 1 /64ths instead of 1/8..I can fall through a crack 1/8th inch wide have you looked into Schools one like Roberto -venn in Phoenix AZ the government has grants for these schools Frank Ford recommends RV and so do I being a RV Student

[Ethan]

pics

[Ethan]

more pics

[Jim Bancroft]

First humidify the guitar, by putting a damp sponge inside a plasic bag a placing the guitar in the bag.
Once the seam is swelled back together, work some glue in, either thin hot hide or superglue.

I wouldn't worry about the shrunken back and sides, I'd just glue them back solid. You could bind it with appropriately thick binding to take up the gap

I could go into more depth, but I'm a one finger typer.

Jim

[thefishinmusician]

I was just about to post a thigydeal on this subject! I have a nice old Regal I've had banging around the shop for about 4 years....Lost contact with the customer before he O>Kayed the work...Bad phone tags...Finally re-connected with him...Same problem...We have ( Mostly ) seen this Major problem!..This one needs a brace bar partially reglued...Oh, I forgot to mention,...Arch top...The top is good,..the back is about 2/3rds coming off...bound...Is this a case of back removal and hope for the best?..How do YOU cope with this perplexing problemo?

[Jim Bancroft]

On an archtop, the only way I have found to reglue a brace bar is through the F holes with appropriate clamps. Many times that is not possible, so the back needs to come off.

Jim