early warning signs!

[John Bertotti]

No slight intended to you luthiers here.
I posted this question in the classical section because of the extensive restorations that have been done there. Pleases take a look and comment, if you have one that is. Thanks John

[Jim Garber]

I figure I would just piggyback on John's thread. I just got a nice old bowlback but there are 2 significant cracks: one on the top and one on the bowl.

Any advice on how to fix that decently and well. I am thinking of trying it myself. Any sites online that address this?

Jim

[Dan'l Terry]

Jim,
The bowl crack is usually significantly easier to repair successfully than a soundboard crack. Most bowl cracks are from a drop or similar blunt trauma damage so the crack is often a clean break that with a bit of hide glue and clamps can be repaired and structurally made sound again. The curve of the bowl helps hold it in place.
The soundboard crack is usually a very different matter. If open it will need both splining a matching piece of spruce (same species, ideally also age and color) and the reinforcement internally of a cleat or two.
Soundboard cracks are also often symptomatic of other problems (neck being pulled forward sinking the top above the soundhole or too much tension creating a crack at the bridge area. Simple fixes of such a crack with either underlying structural problems will fail within short order (maybe 3 weeks, maybe a year or so).
If on the other hand, the crack is tight and not in the neck/soundhole/or bridge area, it's quite possible to successfully repair it with some hide glue and suitable clamp pressure. Good luck.
the "hack dirtbag butcher"

[John Bertotti]

"hack dirtbag butcher" I like that, excellent sense of humor.
Thanks for the info. John

[Jim Garber]

Thanks, Dan'l for the advice. At least you have a good sense of humor about that "other thread" that threatened your reputation. I ma glad you were able to defend yourself.

Jim

[Dan'l Terry]

Thanks, Jim,
When I was growing up and until I got out of high school, I was always the smallest person in the grade. The bully's taught me I'd get beat to a pulp for existing unless I could disarm them by making 'em laugh. Even then I'd sometimes have to swing back. To my surprise, that was enough to put an end to things. Funny how things change but stay the same. javascript: InstaSmilie()
Nice to hear from ya!
HDB