Well its taken me several days to overcome the fustration with the event that damaged the mandolin that Jack Obrien built for me in the mid 80's. I asked around here in the SW chicago burbs for a qualified repairperson and am aware of Dale Ludewig. What I'm trying to determine is what really should be done ? One of our local music stores referred a violin person but after his assessment of the damage I feel I need a better info on the correct course of action before making a decision. I understand cracks are inevitable part of an instruments life.
The crack is located about a 1/4 " inboard of the base tone bar. There is a small depression above the visable crack the extends about 3/4 " above the visual end of the break. Inside there are a couple of extremely small splinters near the main impact point.
I need to answer these questions .
Is repairing the best for the instrument and if so does the back need to be removed to properly cleat the crack? I understand that I could it repaired , see hows things go and if so replace the top at a later time if the repair fails but if it needs a top then its back to Jack. It has a wounderful balanced voice and Jack had mentioned the top was carved from some 100+ year old european spruce he acquired decades ago.
What time frame could be expected for the repair ? How does humidity, adhesives and such play into the repair ?
Thanks for your help in advance . Now I must go back and dig out the old Washburn and suffer through my penance . Hopefully I can get the OBrien back before I'm tempted to find another mandolin to replace the Washburn.
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