Sinking top Strad-o-lin

**dorenac** · Jul-01-2012, 3:11pm

Not a new question by any means but I'm not sure where to find info. I re-aquired a really nice Stradolin with an amazing voice, but I believe the top has sunken a bit from when I previously owned it several years back. It's close to being flat now. The sinking is due I believe to the most recent player using strings a bit too heavy. When I got it back I immediately changed the strings with no detrimental effects to the sound however. Is there any way to regain some of the arch in the top? Would taking the strings off for a period of time perhaps allow it to assume its original arched shape? And if that worked would it revert back to sinkining upon restringing, even with very light strings? I've got GHS A-250's on it now.

**bmac** · Jul-01-2012, 6:06pm

If your Stradolin is like mine in construction:
At the base of the f holes on your Stradolin there is a heavy 1/4" x 5/16" (roughly) transverse brace (pine).... You can see it with a dental mirror and a flashlight. I would bet that the glue failed on part of that brace and it is only hanging firm on one side... your bridge sits roughly 1/4" or 5/16" above that brace (toward the fretboard).. You can see a little of it through the f holes without mirror..

I think the easiest solution would be to remove the back, and then remove that brace. Clean the old glue from the brace and mando and reglue. I suspect that the top will go back into close to proper shape. In any case it should prevent further sagging. i suspect that this would be the least intrusive, most effectuve and doable solution.

Check Frets.com for info on back removal and replacement you should probably have six or so of the plastic or metal C clamps for reinstalling back, and hopefully some small ones which will reach into the holes and secure the brace to the mando front. This is all doable and you will learn something. As long as you don't start carving away at the mando it is all reversable.

**bmac** · Jul-01-2012, 7:25pm

Ask if you have any questions on glues, clamping, etc. - plenty of folks here have done it succesfully.

**dorenac** · Jul-02-2012, 4:10am

Removing the back is my concern. As for adhesive hide glue would probably be the answer. There's a new bottled hide glue called "Old Brown Glue" which might lend itself to this project very well.

**bmac** · Jul-02-2012, 6:37am

to remove the back you will need a very flexible thin bladed pallette knife (as found in artist supply stores). If using a regular wall paper spatula make sure you grind the leading edge sharp... because you do not want to use upward force on the back Let hot water and the hot knife do the work.

Frankly I have had really bad experience with cold bottled hide glue... It completely released after several days. I would feel more secure using a white glue like Titebond or actual hide glue chrystals.. Like hide glue, white glue releases with water so it is reversable if need be. I believe Frets.com has good info on glue and back removal. Getting the back off is easy.... Putting it back on correctly requires patience and very careful clamping.

I think your problem will be in part to put a little pressure on the front of the instrument to re-establish the saucer shape of the top as you glue the brace in place. As such I think the major problem will be how to apply the pressure to the top and brace to get a really good glue joint. Maybe it will be easy??? but I do think you will be able to re-establish the arch of the front the instrument.