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I need some advice on what will probably be an impractical repair.

In 1963, my mother and I gave this Kay dreadnaught to my dad for Christmas. It wasn't a pricy guitar, but it was what we could afford. Years later, when they were downsizing and preparing to move to the sun belt, Dad gave the guitar to my brother (I already had a good quality guitar of my own by then). This summer, after having the Kay for 40 years, my brother gave it to me. It was mostly kept in its case and has survived in remarkably good condition. It isn't even seriously scratched. The neck is still straight, etc. But it has a couple of old age issues. I'd like to do the needed repairs and then give it to one of my brother's grandkids as a keepsake. My dilemma is that I've built some nice instruments and I understand what goes into them, but I've never done any serious repair. I envision repair work as a somewhat different skill set. I'm sure I could learn to do most of what is needed here, but I don't have a repair mentor and I doubt the Kay is worth a professional job.

First off, we see something simple. A bit of fingerboard binding as shrunk, come unglued and bent upward. I imagine a little gentle heating with a hair drier would soften this piece enough to be pressed back down. What glue would you use to hold it in place?

Next, things get a bit more complicated. The heel has very slightly pulled up from the body. Neck block seems firm and sound. Fingerboard is still glued down to top. I have read many, many threads on re-setting necks and I've fitted these joints and done the first set a number of times. But I've never removed and reset a neck before. I would need some advice.

This next part gets really dicey for me. The top has very slightly caved in front of the bridge. I've been inside with an inspection mirror. I don't believe any of the braces are unglued and I don't hear any rattling or buzzing when I play or tap around. I think the braces just deformed from old age.

The amount of depression is exactly half of what the mirror image reflection shows.

Another view of the deflected top with a straightedge for reference. Here, the reflected light from the window gives a fairly good idea of the space under the straight edge. It's not bad, but it's definitely depressed.

Does this guitar need to be re-braced?

With the guitar tuned to pitch, the neck was straight and strings were about 1/8" above the twelfth fret top. Photos were made with string tension lowered.

Input and advice will be appreciated. As I said at the top, I doubt this guitar is worth the effort I'm considering, but I could use it as a learning experience if it's all fairly straight forward.

Thanks to all.

Reglue the loose fretboard binding with Titebond, hot hide glue or fish glue. A little heat will help it into place before you glue it.

Don't worry about the soundboard curvature. That is normal.

The neck should be pulled and reset. This would be a great guitar for you to do your first reset on.

Thanks, Barry. This is a Kay. In your experience, where am I likely to find the end of the neck tenon? Under the 16th fret? 15th fret?

The headspace of the dovetail should be under the 15th fret. May have to angle a little bit one way or the other to get into it.

_________________
Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

Thanks, Brian. I understand.