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how would you go about fixing such a split? there was another on the other side that someone fixed with cold weld or something years ago. i'd like to try and do something better looking.

this was my dad's first guitar that he got from his teacher over 50 years ago. all i know is that is is from paracho, mexico. even with all the splits its a great sounding instrument!

any advice would be greatly appreciated. thanks!

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http://www.wideskyguitars.com
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One way to do this repair is to rout out the bindings, remove the back, and from there the fix will not be a huge issue, as you will have clear and unobstructed access to all the areas that need attention. When all is sound and well, re-attach the back, rout slightly larger binding channel. This method is especially appropriate if the guitar has any neck set issues, as the back removal would also allow you to shift the neck set to a more optimal position. Aligning the back is not super easy after its removed from the body, and some sort of outside mould and/or spreader sticks and bars (eventually removable through the soundhole) may be needed. If just depends on how things go after the back removal, how much tension was built in the body, etc...

If the above sounds too involved, and if the alignment of the side cracks is reasonably tight.....

Glue and cleat the sides. Using clamps, cleats on a string, "threaded" through from the inside, and the string used to center and tighten the cleat against the side, etc. I would personally use hide glue for these kinds of repairs. If something goes wrong, you have a chance to backtrack. Access won't be easy, and will call on your every feat of dexterity. Having small shop midgets is also helpful. You can just send them in through the soundhole to do cleanup and prep work, as well as gluing cleats, etc.

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Flamenco and Classical Guitars
Maker and Restorer

hi. thanks for the advice!

i would like to try and stay away from taking off the back if possible.

by cleats do you mean a flat piece of wood that gets glued on the inside acting kind of like a band aid? if not if you wouldn't mind elaborating that would be most helpful.

i have a very small cat but i don't think her and glue is a good idea.

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Yes cleats are usually diamond shaped cross grain patches that you apply across the crack like a band aid.

Hit the guitar against the ground again. That ought to fix it, though it wont be playable, you wont have the crack to worry about either!

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http://www.CostaGuitars.com
PMoMC

Here is where tape can be your friend. You need a few simple tools. No need to pull the back , so take a 1/2 inch dowel to make yourself a probe. Have plenty of tape available. Start buy holding the split close with one hand and with the probe you can work from the inside to help align the split. Then take tape and tape from the back to the top. Repeat till you have gone the total of the crack , allow about 1 inch between tape pieces.
Once you have the split closed and aligned you can glue things up. Here is where hot hide glue or fish glue excel . DON'T USE CA as that will seal the ends and if you have to separate the joint you can . Heating fish glue will make it pretty thin and HHG can be thinned a little and let that flow in the crack. , then you work the tape place a strip where you glued , remove a piece that was holding and leap frog . Adding and removing tape.
When you are done you will have tape all along the crack . let sit over night. Remove the tape . You may want to ad a few cleats on the inside. Wipe the outside with hot water and clean as much of the glue off as you can , sand ,stain , fill and finish. See it this won't help you.
Again the Fish glue and Hot Hide glue are reversible so you can always redo it if you need to. Using the probe and take your time getting the alignment right , will actually work pretty well

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

Sounds complicated John. I'd smash it.

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http://www.CostaGuitars.com
PMoMC

thanks for the great advice! this is really helpful!

can't smash it. this is the guitar my dad learned on and the first i ever played.

thanks again. i hope i can get to it this weekend if so i'll post results...

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http://www.wideskyguitars.com
https://www.instagram.com/wide_sky_guitars/

Ok. No smashing this guitar. Are there any other objects you could smash for us? Ha ha!
Good luck with the repair. Looks like a big job!

_________________
http://www.CostaGuitars.com
PMoMC