MIMF

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

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

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

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.

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

Brian Evans wrote: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