Bowlback repair question 1: fretboard crack

[Cary Fagan]

Hi all,

I've just bought an American Conservatory bowlback in need of some minor restoration. Partly as a way to learn about repairs, partly cause I just like these vintage instruments and would like to learn to fix them. It's in very good shape generally, no top cracks, the straightest neck I've seen on an old bowlback.

Here's my first repair question. There's a crack in the end of the fretboard. I'm guessing a mixture of ebony dust and epoxy or some other glue. What's your answer? Details (kind of glue, clean-up) would be greatly appreciated.

(The photo is from the original seller.)

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/pi...pictureid=4249

[Schlegel]

I'll open with an amateur idea...for a narrow crack I suspect packing ebony dust in, wiping it level, or just below level, and wicking low viscosity CA in with a really narrow tip might work. I'm interested to see what the pros suggest, I bet this is a not-uncommon crack.

[fishtownmike]

I would do the dust and medium CA.

[Michael Lewis]

Need a pic of the crack to tell you what would be appropriate. Fine cracks often disappear with just thin CA. Just give it a little bit and let it sit for a few minutes before applying any more. All too often if you apply a lot of thin CA it just wicks off into other areas, which is usually not a god thing. So, apply and let sit, make a second application if the crack is not filled, and let that sit for a while to set up. File or scrape the area level and do what you need to do to return the area to match the surrounding area.

For a wider crack dust it with baking SODA and blow the soda away, add ebony filler and CA. Again, file or scrape the area level and return it to original patina as well as you can.

[Tavy]

That's one big crack

I can only second what others have said, and add that CA is truely wonderful stuff for both filling cracks and for strengthening fragile rosewood or ebony parts - check out frets.com for a million and one uses, including strengthening a fragile fingerboard by painting with CA diluted in acetone. I've been able to "save" one vintage bridge, and one fretboard end from crumbling away using this method (both rosewood). Highly recomended.

The only problem you have there is getting a good cosmetic result without removing those frets so you can work on the whole crack. Other than that... just get to it, seems like you have not much to loose and a lot to gain. Use a little CA at a time and you shouldn't do too much harm.

HTH, John.

[Cary Fagan]

Thank you very much for the responses. I hate to ask, but what is CA? Is it widely available? Sounds like it cleans up through sanding and filing, yes?

[allenhopkins]

I hate to ask, but what is CA? Is it widely available?

Cyanoacrylate glue. Found around generally as Super Glue or Krazy Glue. Many variants for different purposes (skin bonding, raising latent fingerprints, etc.).

[Cary Fagan]

Thanks again. I'll eventually let you all know how it goes. and I will post further questions.

So far i've just begun cleaning it. Amazing what water and a cloth can do. I've also found the ends of two top braces are loose with the help of a dentist's mirror. But more on that later. As I'm pretty busy with work, this will take me a while. I've also bought a bowlback in poor shape (for $25) so that I can try things on it first.

[Cary Fagan]

I thought people might want to see the finished repair (alongside the orginal crack. I might do a bit more at the very end of the fretboard but it's basically done. The tedious work was sanding away the excess glue without doing any damage to the surrounding board (which, being dyed, shows marks easily).

[Richard Morrison]

Nice job! Can't even tell there was a big crack there.

[Tavy]

Neat work! Keep it up and lets see this one playing again

Regards, John.

[Wudwerkr]

So far i've just begun cleaning it. Amazing what water and a cloth can do.

I would reccomend the restoration polish . I have used it on several and I like how it cleans .

I also learned a bit from reading this thread as well . I will try the tips in the next repair fret board I have.

[billhay4]

Very nice job!
Bill