Brace repair question on Wilson and Sons classical

[Patrick DeGreve]

I bought this guitar in 1966 with paper route money I saved for three months. It was a cheap guitar, but it had great tone, and I love it. I am surprised it is in one piece considering what I put it through. I was a Scout Master for our Boy Scout Troop, and I took it on camping trips for 40 years. It's been to the bottom of the grand canyon, and the top of the California High Sierras. It camped on the Channel Islands, and all over the deserts of the Southwest. And it still sounds great! However, it now has a problem, I want to deal with. The center fan brace has come unglued all the way back to the bridge, and the soundboard has sunken in between the bridge and the sound hole. This has lowered the action just enough to give it a buzz on the middle of the fretboard. I put a mirror in the sound hole and was surprised to find that there are only three fan braces. The brace on the bass side is also coming loose. I plan to re-glue the braces using my bridge clamp and a block (for support). What I am not sure of is if I should clean the brace and soundboard first? Using a paint brush I could paint some alcohol on the brace, but I am nor sure if I should. There does not seem to be any glue residue on the brace,(in fact it looks as if the brace was never glued). So I don't know if I need to clean it, or if is even a good idea.
I also wonder if It would be good to add two small braces between the existing three that are there. I don't want to destroy the tone of the guitar, but three braces seems too few. I plan on using LMII's Instrument glue, unless there is a better choice? I have had this guitar for 47 years, and I don't want to do it any harm. It has no real value to anyone but me, but I love it.

[Mark Swanson]

I'd stay away from using any chemical at all. Just clean under the brace with a bit of fine sandpaper, and use a decent glue. The LMI glue will work, but so would hide glue and even Titebond. Don't add any additional braces unless you are fixing a problem- if the guitar has held up for 47 years then don't mess with a good thing!

[Warren May]

I don't have any advice, Patrick, just to say what a great story. Wish I still had the first one I every bought, an old Kent.