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Guitar Repairs

Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 1:17 pm
by ffsooo3
My 1983 Ovation has a crack from the bridge sorta straight back to the edge. It is definitely structural (and not just the finish) as I can press on one side of the crack and see the wood move on that side (while the other side of the crack doesn't move). There is no buzzing and the guitar stays in tune. It's been this way for quite some time. My questions are: (a) Is it critical that it be fixed, (b) Can it be fixed, (c) Will fixing it destroy the beautiful patina of the wood, and (d) How do I find a good repair shop in Vermont. Thanks.

Re:Guitar Repairs

Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 6:50 pm
by richardk
There's a good chance that the guitar is dried out. I recommend that you check out these videos for symptoms and cures:


Re:Guitar Repairs

Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 7:26 pm
by rcsnydley
Hey ffsooo - you're in Vermont? So am I, where about, how close to Burlington are you?

Ric (snydley)

Re:Guitar Repairs

Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 7:49 pm
by rcsnydley
Hey richard - excellent videos. It shows you how important it is to keep your guitar properly humidified. I was reading the info sheet that came with my new guitar and it said if you get nothing else for your guitar buy a humidifier.
Thanks for the videos.

Keep Playing
Ric

Re:Guitar Repairs

Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 8:10 pm
by ffsooo3
Hey Richard thanks for the videos. That's exactly what my problem is. I have hope! Since I have an Ovation (and I don't have to worry so much about moisture soaking the back and sides) I now have a damp cloth resting on the "bowl" adding moisture back to my VERY dry guitar front. And Ric, I'm in Andover between Chester, Weston, and Ludlow.

Re:Guitar Repairs

Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 8:24 pm
by rcsnydley
ffsooo - I live in Berlin, it is by Montpelier. There is a guy in Burlington that makes and repairs guitars named Craig Anderson, here is the link to his site.
http://www.craigandersonguitars.com/
A friend of mine bought a Taylor 12 string from Daddy's in Williston with a crack in the back for $400 and took it to Craig for repair. You can't even tell it was repaired and it sounds fantastic.

Keep Playing
Ric

Re:Guitar Repairs

Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 8:28 am
by TGCory
ffsooo3 wrote:
Hey Richard thanks for the videos. That's exactly what my problem is. I have hope! Since I have an Ovation (and I don't have to worry so much about moisture soaking the back and sides) I now have a damp cloth resting on the "bowl" adding moisture back to my VERY dry guitar front. And Ric, I'm in Andover between Chester, Weston, and Ludlow.
A humidifier could prevent dry cracking but not fix it...have you found answers to your original questions of does it need to be fixed, can it be fixed, and where in VT to take it?

Re:Guitar Repairs

Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 10:23 am
by Guitarmom
When I have had issues with a guitar that I have purchased new, I have contacted the Maker, received an RMA and had them fix it for me... for free. The only thing I paid was shipping. TO avoid those issues now, I bought a hygrometer from Radio Shack that has a sensor I placed at the top of the room and one about waist level. That way I can monitor both the temp and humidity. Additionally I keep the humidity in the room constant with a Sears automatic humidifier at 45%.

I know that they are safer in their cases... but they are like art to me. I love to look at them. Craftmanship is a wonderful thing. Plus, if are in their cases, I don't play them as much.

Re:Guitar Repairs

Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 10:27 am
by ffsooo3
Hi gingold, a guy who has had lots of repairs done has recommended a luthier in Brattleboro (45 minutes away). I have not contacted him yet. I plan to bring the guitar to him this summer to discuss the possibilities (ie. repair or replace) and what the results will be (ie. how will the sound be affected, etc.). Do you have any suggestions for me as to the questions I should ask and/or what to watch out for? Thanks.

Re:Guitar Repairs

Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 10:29 am
by dustystrings
First off, thanks for posting those videos, good information.

Wow, now I'm paranoid. I see some strange bumps that run along the grain on my guitar but just figured they were flaws that took a while to find. I live at 8100 feet in a very dry section of Colorado where single digit humidities are quite common. Everything else dries out here, so why wouldn't my guitar?

Can anybody recommend a guitar humidifier?