Archtop Rebuild: Fixing Cracks Glue?

[Eric Knapp]

Hi, everyone.

There's a clean crack on the top plate of my old archtop.

It is a very clean break that goes together well.

What glue would you all use to fix this?

Thanks,

-Eric

[Brian Evans]

I suspect that people that build with hot hide glue would use hot hide glue, and people (like me) that build with yellow AR glue (titebond II, etc) would use that. A clean crack like that is very good to glue, and add a few cleats to hold it together.

Brian

[Beate Ritzert]

And for all those who would like to use HHG but feel unsure about applying it correctly, fish glue might also be an option

[Barry Daniels]

I recommend that you install a cleat on there once the glue in the crack is dry. That is a pretty short section which could break again so a reinforcement is justified. Use a thin and small piece of spruce and turn the grain 90 degrees.

Edit: The first photo appears to show the footprint of a previous cleat. Put the new one there or maybe you already figured that out.

[Brian Evans]

I strongly suspect the guitar had strengthening cleats there from new. I double up the top around the F-hole as well.

[Eric Knapp]

I strongly suspect the guitar had strengthening cleats there from new. I double up the top around the F-hole as well.

Yes, there were several cleats on the inside of the top plate, including ones on the top and bottom of the f-holes. There is only one left from it's swimming adventure. It's on the center joint right next to the tail block. I am planning on replacing all the missing ones.

-Eric