Repairing a Cracked Guitar

A crack at the guitar's neck heel does not always mean the instrument is beyond repair. Follow a workshop repair using Titebond glue, a fine brush, suction and a clamp.

A crack in a guitar can look alarming, especially at the neck heel, where the neck meets the body. Fortunately, some cracks can be repaired without a major restoration.

This time, I have a relatively inexpensive guitar on the workbench. Its owner uses it for slide guitar. Even though it is not a valuable instrument in monetary terms, it is still worth keeping it playable. A guitar's usefulness and personal value matter, too.

The crack at the neck heel

The close-up shows the crack around the joint between the neck and body. Before starting, I assess whether the joint can be glued securely and how to get adhesive all the way into the gap.

The right glue and a fine brush

For this repair I use Titebond wood glue, a good choice for many woodworking jobs on musical instruments. With a small, fine brush, I work the glue down into the crack. The aim is to reach the inside of the joint, rather than simply coating its surface.

Using suction and air to move the glue

Next, I use a small suction cup to help draw the glue further into the crack. I also blow air into the gap. As you can see in the photos, the glue bubbles out as I work the joint and press the crack together. This helps show that the adhesive is moving through the opening.

Clamping and allowing 24 hours to dry

Once the glue is in place, I press the joint together with a clamp and leave it for about 24 hours to cure. Afterwards, I do a little colour touch-up to make the repair less noticeable, and the guitar can return to use.

Is a budget guitar worth repairing?

Sometimes, absolutely. A repair like this need not be expensive when the damage is accessible and the joint can be glued without extensive work. Every instrument needs an individual assessment, however. Other repairs can be much more time-consuming and, naturally, more costly.

At my instrument workshop, I am happy to examine your guitar and discuss whether a repair makes sense for the instrument and for you.