HELP! soundboard cracked! - Guitar ER - When Guitar Builds Go Bad

RE: HELP! soundboard cracked!

Rocknroller912 — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 15:39:01 +0000

@koendb

I haven’t made anything new for a few years and have focussed on repairs so I’m having a practice soundboard build with a £5 piece that I bought many years ago. Glad cause it’s getting all the mistakes out of the way. First attempt without any supervision is hard.

RE: HELP! soundboard cracked!

Koendb — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 14:29:11 +0000

Posted by: @rocknroller912

You’re not having much luck.

Well , rather be unlucky now, then when the guitar is almost complete....
Plus, I do learn a lot.. It's ok, I will continue making braces and once the top is done, decide what to do..

Even if I put it on the guitar, I can always pull the soundboard back off and get some training on fixing guitars too :-)
As long as it does not collapse when I manage to get strings on it, it ll be ok for at last a short while.

RE: HELP! soundboard cracked!

Rocknroller912 — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 14:05:13 +0000

@koendb

You’re not having much luck.

RE: HELP! soundboard cracked!

Koendb — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 11:19:46 +0000

So you wont believe this..
After adding the rosette, everything was fine, I set aside the board to inspect it the day after.
I sat behind my computer to do something else, when I heard a cracking sound again, maybe an hour after I put the soundboard aside ( still attached to the working board btw )
And yuuup it cracked back open,this time in 3 places along the same grainline.
So this time I really glued it with my fingers, forcing the glue in , got proper squeeze out now.

This morning I decided to take it out of the clamps and hold it in front of a light source, just to make sure. This time the cracks are clearly visible.

7996 7997

Does this mean I have a poor glue joint? or is this normal?
Anyway.. 'cracking' along..
I definitely can feel a bump now, so more sanding required.

RE: HELP! soundboard cracked!

Boo — Tue, 21 Dec 2021 18:24:10 +0000

@markbailey Those pictures haven’t loaded at this end, not sure if they have uploaded properly at your end. 👍

RE: HELP! soundboard cracked!

Koendb — Tue, 21 Dec 2021 16:27:12 +0000

@markbailey The photos dont load for me, but I understand what you mean :-)

I think I am ok now ! my last attempt seems to have resolved the issue.
If not, I 'll be back :-) Cheers guys for all the advice and moral support ( and pushing me a bit! )

I actually was able to make the rosette and install it. Nervewracking! brrr

RE: HELP! soundboard cracked!

mark bailey — Tue, 21 Dec 2021 14:34:30 +0000

You can tell if there are any splits by tap testing the top - If there is a problem in this regard it will rattle and hum instead of producing a nice tap tone. It is OK to glue them up and reinforce if needed - some tips:

Put some wax (sparingly) on the joining board to stop it from sticking...or use/make wax paper if you prefer.

You can still apply side pressure using pins and wedges like this:

RE: HELP! soundboard cracked!

Bpower — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 23:41:24 +0000

@koendb there must have been flaws in this wood from the beginning. Gotta love the unpredictability of wood. :) I think it is still a good call to keep going. I believe if you can get to the point of gluing the braces on it will be good and solid. Good luck. :)

RE: HELP! soundboard cracked!

Koendb — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 21:27:48 +0000

Posted by: @robin

Glue it up and carry on regardless. When its ready to glue to the body, thats when to decide if its usable. At worst case you'll have had a good practice.

@robin, fair point.. from both of you...
Allright alright I'll continue 🙄 😋 😘

RE: HELP! soundboard cracked!

Koendb — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 21:23:55 +0000

One more attempt. baking paper behind it, removed excess glue with a dry rag this time, instead of a damp one.

7988

Lets see tomorrow, if it is good, I ll do the front too