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   I blundered this morning while trimming braces on a spruce soundboard and put a crack in the lower bout - two inches in from the treble side.

   The crack isn't visible from the front - so, I am figuring I can just wick some CA glue into the crack from the back and hope for the best.

   I wouldn't feel too bad - EXCEPT - it isn't mine. It's the top to an LMI OM kit that I am helping someone else 'assemble'. I certainly haven't claimed to be an expert so I will readily confess my carelessness - but, what I DON'T want is to have the crack suddenly become visible a year or more down the road.

   I welcome your thoughts.    

NO NO NO.... No CA... That will leave a very visable mark. Even if the crack is not all the way through the glue might wick through the remaining fibers. And that will surely leave a mark... (ask me how I know... )

Hide glue is a good choice, but if you are not comfortable with that then I would use LMI white. It will be much less visable -- probably in your case invisible.

Good luck.   

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

To add to that, use hyde glue, and patch that spot with a piece of the same spruce running the grain perpendicular to the top's grain. It doesn't have to be thick, say around .10" at most. This should keep it from ever opening up.

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

I agree with the hide glue advice that was already given. I cracked one a while back after dropping it on the floor. I used hide glue and rubbed it into the crack with a clean finger and the crack is now invisible.

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

I'll make it three.... DO NOT USE CA!!!

Use some fresh thin hot hide glue with a very smalol patch, rub or wick it in and hold the piece tight for a couple of minutes and then let it dry overnight...

CA will leave a mark in Spruce..

Good Luck...

-Paul-

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-Paul-

Patriot Guitars

Wow, I am so glad I asked!

I'm a real fan of CA but experienced opinions are what I hoped for - and you guys came through - again.

Thanks much.