Neck joint crack advice needed

[jaberwock]

After applying the first coats of lacquer to my Les Paul kit, a crack developed on the body near the neck joint and became progressively deeper, it know extends all the way to the corner of the neck tenon; I was going to start wet sanding but I'm worried water will get into the crack.

I've been really careful whilst building this guitar, and have no idea what could have caused this problem; any advice would be most gratefully received, I've emailed Precision Guitar Kits about the problem but have received no reply as yet.

Thanks Jaberwock

[hamerhead]

That truly sucks.

Did the body shrink more or faster than the neck, or the neck swelled more or faster that the body? Simply a weak spot? I don't know, but that really is sad. Looks like a nice project otherwise.

Good luck.

[jaberwock]

Three days and no response from Precision Guitar Kits, so as this is guitar I intend to gig with, I guess I have to fix the crack myself; I was thinking of running thin cyanoacrylate into the crack with a pipette:

Should I open the crack in the finish slightly with a razor blade to let the glue penetrate better ?

Would a clamp help ? or does the glue set so quickly it wouldn't make any difference.

Thanks Jaberwock

[murkat]

Any update?

I would see this time to time while I was at the GCS.

Not much can be done, esp with a transparent finish and make it disappear...

You may try....

A.

clean finish out in and around the infection.

tape off around the crack area, close

clean up the crack with acetone with a small brush, Qtip, etc. mop up the residue, finish, etc.

apply a thin medium C/A glue in the crack.

apply a lighter shade of fine wood dust in crack (C/A darkens)

apply a lil more C/A, level it up, wet sand level.

Repeat til level and satisfied. (but it will always sink a lil bit)

run a bead of lacquer on the infection, let dry for days,

when it finally levels out or protrudes just a lil bit,

then razor it flat with finish, use a nice 400 sandpaper around the area,

re shoot the area with your lacquer.

At GCS, most of the guitars that would get these kind of split cracks,

A. repaired and refinned to an opaque color.

B. binned as an "artist" guitar...

C. scrapped (serial#), stripped, and reworked into something marketable.

good luck!

If you need more help, I would be glad too.

[jaberwock]

Any update?

I would see this time to time while I was at the GCS.

Not much can be done, esp with a transparent finish and make it disappear...

You may try....

A.

clean finish out in and around the infection.

tape off around the crack area, close

clean up the crack with acetone with a small brush, Qtip, etc. mop up the residue, finish, etc.

apply a thin medium C/A glue in the crack.

apply a lighter shade of fine wood dust in crack (C/A darkens)

apply a lil more C/A, level it up, wet sand level.

Repeat til level and satisfied. (but it will always sink a lil bit)

run a bead of lacquer on the infection, let dry for days,

when it finally levels out or protrudes just a lil bit,

then razor it flat with finish, use a nice 400 sandpaper around the area,

re shoot the area with your lacquer.

At GCS, most of the guitars that would get these kind of split cracks,

A. repaired and refinned to an opaque color.

B. binned as an "artist" guitar...

C. scrapped (serial#), stripped, and reworked into something marketable.

good luck!

If you need more help, I would be glad too.

Murkat, thanks for the expert advice, I will do exactly as you described, and let you know the outcome.

This guitar was always intended as a gigging guitar; originally I looked at a lot of Les Paul Standards, firstly they're very expensive in this corner of the world, and secondly they all weighed over ten pounds, not something I could comfortably use for a ninety minute show; as long as the glue stabilises the situation, I'm not overly concerned about the cosmetic side though obviously I'll try my best to make as it inconspicuous as possible.

I'm a little disappointed at Precision Guitars lack of response, I would have expected at least some advice on how to remedy the problem.

Thanks again Jaberwock

[hamerhead]

You should check out the LP carcasses on Ebay. I got a stripped out LPJ for right around $370 and loaded it with hardware (stuff you'd likely replace anyway) from the stash pile. I have maybe $450 in it, and it's the perfect 'no worries' gigging Les Paul - not too heavy (I haven't weighed it), well enough made, and some drunk (or drummer) can fall over it and you won't have to kill him.

[jaberwock]

In all fairness to Precision Guitar Kits, I got this reply this morning:

HI Mark..

Well that is not good..at all.

It would have to be that you’re far far away.. I have not seen a crack like this before, that’s an odd place for one to present itself.. but then again it is wood.

Let me talk to my wood guys, see what they say. Often wood cracking can be suppressed with gluing some same wood sawdust with super glue into the crack.

I will stand behind our product though. We’ll figure out a solution that will make you happy..

phil

[hamerhead]

That's very cool. If only more companies did that......