Guitar companies are making models for the masses while the instruments artists play are typically modified to get special tones in the instrument rather from amps or software (see the 'Schematics' page). All companies have custom shop brands or options where you can get this done for $5 - $10 thousand +. Since 2008 a lot of info has been available on the internet revealing schematics and modifications to get the artist tones. This opens the window to have special instrument tones in your guitar or have a mod guitar that has the features of a $$ custom shop model. This blog will pick a few projects to get classic tones and increased flexibility on board. Not for everyone but it is a matter of style, understanding what goes into a custom shop $10 thousand guitar and why great players use a hand full of onboard modifications to trademark their sound.

Second Hand -"It's probably a well-known story . . . I went into a shop in Nashville called Sho Bud which was owned by Buddy Emmons – the famous pedal steel player – and they had things like Rickenbackers in the front of the shop going for quite high prices. In the back they had this second-hand department, and there was a row of Stratocasters, and I bought them all. Blackie was made out of three of these guitars – the body of one, the neck of another and the pickups of another." Eric Clapton



Martin Acoustic Guitar Side Crack Repair

Multiple cracks in lower bout- mahogany side
Not sure how this happened.  I don't remember hitting anything but I leave this out a lot and it looks like it was dropped pretty hard. No one knows anything but that does not matter - just needs to be fixed.  

Structurally the sides of a hollow body guitar need to be stiff to maximize the top sound board vibration. This is good and means adding cleats to support the weak crack area should not impact the sound. Messing with this is harder since the guitar is an f-hole style so there is not a good sized sound hole to get  inside. 



I only used one reference for this:













The hard part of the repair is to figure how to place full pressure to flatten the crack with limited room to reach inside the guitar.
Inside body - dark pieces are thin original
linen and glue side cleats and the splits
are on the right side of the image between the cleats


Cracks viewed 
through the f-hole
The mahogany is flexible where it is split and new cleats need to be installed the full length of the splits to re-level the split area with the body curve. 3 cleats about 3/8 inches wide and a couple inches long will be installed vertically.  

This shows the setup- Tension tool with a guitar string
through the side leading out the sound hole with the
mahogany cleat and aluminum backing plate
before being dropped into the sound hole.

Second cleat in place 
after tightening
with aluminum backing 
plate in place.




Due to the size of the tension 
tool the cleats are
installed one at a time and allowed to set.
Tension tool in place without a 
base piece being
used -see below.   Should 
only be used this way 
if you are pulling out
a dent otherwise
use a base plate.


Between cleat installation 
break or remove glue with a razor
to make sure split pieces can move.



Tension tool with aluminum base piece and duct tape 
bottom cover. Tightbond was used since long open 
time was needed due to limited access. Plastic
 applicator used to place glue inside body. 
 Glue does notstick to the duct tape or aluminum so 
the base is easily removed after curing.
Each cleat set at least 12 hours.


Wire through body after curing.
3 holes used to set the cleats marked with arrows










Inside view- Three cleats and additional glue to
stabilize cracks

Final before working the finish. All splits and damage pulled
even with the body curve. 


Need to fill the holes, rework the finish and possibly add some linen and glue patches inside to make sure the splits don't extend- so far I dont think the linen patches are needed.
First sanding- 320 dry and 600 wet

Filling with super glue

Sanded again 600 and
 800 both wet
All hairline cracks filled























Drop fill some low spots




Stain mix of Minwax
dark walnut and red
mahogony 50:50 mix
for Martin match



















Razor leveling fills after
one day drying.  Scotch tape
on ends gets it close then 600 & 800
wet sanding



Nitro spray 6 coats
2 hours dry time between coats

 A good reference for spray schedule and tips.  http://www.reranch.com/101a.htm



Wet sanded with 320, 
600 and 800 using
a block. Looks 
smooth but hazed. Add
2 light coats then wait 2 
weeks to sand and buff 


Final- wet sanded 600,800
1000, 1200 then buff with 
medium paste on drill
mounted sponge wheel to
match existing finish





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  1. Rhyth Mandmelody ShopMarch 3, 2017 at 6:41 AM

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