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Top crack under finger board extension
http://mowrystrings.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10137&t=46835
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Author:  gxs [ Sun Dec 13, 2015 8:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Top crack under finger board extension

Here is a another pic of the old Washburn/Tonka on which I am working. The top cracked under the finger board and the crack went all the way to the sound hole, causing distortion.
https://onedrive.live.com/?cid=453EBF685ED1F7AA&id=453EBF685ED1F7AA%21593646&parId=453EBF685ED1F7AA%21111&o=OneUp

I watched Franks how-to on Frets.com in which he releases the brace in front of the sound hole and then pulls the neck back to fix the alignment. http://frets.com/FretsPages/Luthier/Technique/Guitar/Structural/Cracks/FBTopCrack/fbtopcrack2.html

In this case it appears a previous repair locked this in place and the cracked top would be glued over the neck block. I am wondering of this technique would still work if I released the part of the bottom upper bout top from the neck block, as well as the front brace, and the edge of the FB extension over the bottom of the upper bout.

What do you think? Thanks GS.

Author:  gxs [ Tue Dec 15, 2015 3:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Top crack under finger board extension

The answer is "Yes, it will work" The brace under the fingerboard was already loose. I loosened the neck block under the piece of the lower bout, loosened the FB extension over the same piece clamped the body and neck and bowed it back a bit as in Frank's guide, got the two pieces aligned using the rosette as a guide, cleated the crack ( 4 cleats - darned if I didn't put one of the cleats facing the wrong way, oh well), re-glued the top brace. So looking good . . . except in the bowing back a couple of back braces popped loose. Just as well though, the top brace and back braces had no trace of glue left underneath them, just a little dust, so as long as I have the strings off I'll get the back braces re-glued, then I should be good to go. Thanks Frank.

Regards,
GS

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