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Last night I thicknessed and braced a back. Thicknessing uncovered a pair of hairline cracks (with the grain) --- not visible on their own, but when I flexed the wood, it opened slightly in those areas.   I flooded with CA and braced.

Two questions:

(1) Should I take any other precautions, such as some sort of a brace over the crack?

(2) What are your standards for disclosing these sorts of things to buyers? This guitar will be auctioned at a charity fundraising event, and I don't want to pull the wool over anyone's eyes. So the presumption is that I somehow disclose it. However, I also don't want to freak anybody out over a non-issue that isn't normally discussed.

Gotta agree with Hesh. You have glue joints all over your guitar, your back seam, your top seam, neck laminations....on and on. If this seam has been adequately atteneded too, it should be 'stronger than the wood', no need to say anything. I know some top shelf builders that do not even use a cleat system over the back seam. You are gonna be good!

Shane

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Canada

smash it to pieces and then tell everyone!

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

I too agree with Shane and Hesh (sorry Dave, don't agree with you ). If the crack is not noticable or even visible once glued it is not a crack anymore. There is nothing to disclose.

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"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

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sHANE & HESH ARE RIGHT !
aS LONG AS THE CRACK IS GLUED BEFORE ANY FINISH IS APPLIED it should never show up under a finish unless it was not done properly.
Was the crack tight before gluing?
Did it need to be pulled together?
If so take the braces off and then make sure the crack is tight and level then brace the back!

Go for it !
I hope this helps!
I see so much of this stuff and every case is different -so I have to deal with it differently!
Mike

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Mike Collins

One more really important thing!!!!!!
Let all tops & backs settle for at least 24 hours after thinning before bracing them!
mike

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Mike Collins

Thanks, guys!

Dont do crack!!!!
That is my only suggestion.

Homeboy