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I am working on finishing up a myrtle/spruce flamenco guitar. I'm really pleased with the progress of the guitar so far. However, I have run into a peculiar problem. I was sanding the sides and about one inch of the purfling (white/black) between the top binding and side disappeared! And, wouldn't you know it - it is on the upper bout on the bass side, right under the player's nose. I am thinking I could use a thin kerf saw to clean out the area where the purfling was, then slide in and glue a flat veneer sandwich, cut away the excess and scrape level with the side. The purfling is 1.0 mm thick.

Has anyone encountered a similar problem and/or have suggestions?

I'm really excited about this guitar and had hoped to take it with me to Spain this summer for the flamenco seminar I attend annually. But, if I can't repair this problem satisfactorily I probably won't. Any help with this will be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Max

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Max Bishop
Brighton, Michigan

I have had the same problem on a couple of my guitars, Max. My repair, the first time, was unacceptable. It's hard to get a slot the right size, and be able to get the purfling in and have a clean joint with the purflings it butts up to. A saw might be the solution for cleaning out the slot, I didn't think of that. My solution the second time it happened was to chisel out the binding and purfling and re-do the one side. Worked fine, and was actually easier than cleaning out the slot and trying to get a good match up at the joints.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

I think an exacto knife used with a flexible metal straightedge (taped in place) will give you better cleaner edges on the channel than a saw.
Make a tiny chisel by grinding a flat and beveled surface on a flat needle file to "square end" the cut at the point where the purfling is deep enough so you won't sand through it again.
You should be able to make a very neat pocket to put in a replacement section. Done cleanly it wll be undetectable.

Thanks for the input, guys.

Best Regards,
Max

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Max Bishop
Brighton, Michigan