Crack repair

[Rob Gerety]

My son has a 6 year old Larrivee D5. It is probably a $1000 guitar - something in that range. It is a good one. Lovely tone that rivals more expensive guitars. It is in excellent condition.

However, about a year ago he put a ding in the lower bout on the bass side about an inch off the binding. Not really that bad. But a few weeks ago when he was visiting he picked it up and noticed that a crack had appeared running from the ding to the bridge. It is a long crack - very tight and clean hairline looking. Runs along the grain and stops at or under the bridge. Probably 8 inches or so is my guess. I can not tell if it is just finish or wood - but I suspect from the looks of it that that wood is cracked - not sure.

Is this something that he should just let go - or should he get it looked at and repaired?

[Greg H.]

Have it looked at. A good repairman/woman could repair that fairly easily. .. .. .but if it grows the needed repair could also grow. And, if it's just a finish crack then they could also tell you that.

With that said, you could take a mirror and look to see if the crack is on both sides of the top (i.e. it goes through the wood).

[Rob Gerety]

Next time I have it to look at I'll check it out underneath with a mirror. If it is just in the finish is it safe then to assume it is purely cosmetic and can be ignored for the time being?

[ISU Trout Bum]

Hi Rob:

You might take a look at this too: http://www.lmii.com/CartTwo/Video.asp

Click on "Murphy's Law" on the right menu, and the bit that is related to your question starts at about 1:45 into the vid.

Best,
Eric

[Michael Gowell]

Bad Link.

[ISU Trout Bum]

Bad Link.

I just got it to work, and then it didn't, and then it did. They must be doing some work on the server today.

Maybe try this.

[Rob Gerety]

They both worked for me. Very interesting stuff. You clearly need to know what the heck you are doing!

I must say, speaking as a consumer, I'm not so sure how happy I would be if a builder used cracked (and then repaired) sides on a custom build for me. I think that is what they were suggesting in the first segment.

[Dobe]

They both worked for me. Very interesting stuff. You clearly need to know what the heck you are doing!

I must say, speaking as a consumer, I'm not so sure how happy I would be if a builder used cracked (and then repaired) sides on a custom build for me. I think that is what they were suggesting in the first segment.

Which is why the fix needs to be perfect ! I'm also a big fan of side pillarettes as opposed to that Martin cloth stuff. Stops cracks from running if they do happen & stiffens up the sides altogether. !