Can a Damaged Guitar Be Fixed? | Expert Tips & Advice

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If you’re an avid guitar player, minor damage to your guitar is inevitable. However, in some cases, it’s possible that your guitar gets severely damaged, and even breaks at the neck or headstock. In that case, you may be wondering whether your damaged guitar can be fixed or not.

As a general rule, you can fix your damaged guitar. If your guitar has small bumps or cracks on it, it can usually be fixed by some light finish repair. However, if there is major damage, you may need to see a professional guitar repairman.

In this article, we will tell you how you can fix minor cracks yourself and when it may be time to see a professional repairman. Read until the end for tips on how to protect your guitar from future damage.

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How To Repair Minor Cracks Yourself?

If your guitar has small cracks or dents you don’t need to worry about taking it to a professional for repair. With the right tools, you can repair your guitar at home for a fraction of the cost.

You can follow these simple guidelines to repair your acoustic guitar at home!

Assess the Damage

The first step when it comes to repairing your guitar is assessing the extent of damage on it. If there is a deep crack in the wood of the guitar repairing it yourself might not be the best option. If this is the case, take your guitar to a luthier (guitar repairman) for a proper restoration.

Prepare Your Guitar for Repair

The next step is to simply prep your guitar. Remove the strings for unrestricted access to the surface of the guitar, and also to prevent any damage to the strings from the repair work.

You should place your guitar on a soft surface while you’re repairing it. This will prevent any accidental damage and make it easier for you to work.

Fill in the Cracks

You can seal most cracks in your acoustic guitar with a good adhesive such as wood glue. We recommend the Franklin Titebond Original as it bonds strong, is non-toxic, and can be cleaned up easily.

Once you have chosen your adhesive, all you need to do is thoroughly apply it to any cracks on the surface of your guitar.

Make Sure You Secure the Repair

Once you’ve added the adhesive, it’s important to secure it to make sure that you repair the crack completely.

For this, you’ll need a clamp that suits the size and position of your crack. You just need to apply the clamp where you placed the adhesive and leave it there until the adhesive completely dries. This is important to ensure that your guitar maintains its shape.

If there are cracks on different sides of the guitar, make sure that the glue on one side has completely dried before flipping your guitar over.

Smooth Out the Surface

After your adhesive has dried completely, your guitar will be structurally sound. However, the adhesive may leave an unsightly look on your guitar. To have your guitar back to its original look you will have to finish the surface.

You can use sandpaper with a light grain to smooth out the area and remove any excess glue. When the surface is completely even, you can simply apply a finishing layer to have your guitar look as good as new.

When Should You See a Professional Luthier?

It’s possible to fix minor damage to your guitar at home. However, there are some major issues that require expert help. Taking your guitar to a luthier can ensure that it gets proper servicing and there isn’t any additional damage.

Here are some issues that we would suggest seeing a luthier for:

A broken guitar bridge
Cracked acoustic guitar braces
Loose fretboard binding
Cracked fretboard

You might be tempted to fix these problems yourself. However, fixing these issues requires professional knowledge and tools. Getting the damage repaired by a luthier can ensure that your guitar functions properly.

How to Protect Your Guitar From Damage?

If you want to protect your guitar from any future damage, here are a few tips and tricks that can help you.

Buy a Good Gig Bag

If you frequently travel with your guitar, investing in a good gig bag may be important. A good bag with thick padding can keep your instrument safe and protect it from any bumps or cracks. Moreover, a good gig bag offers protection from the rain and sun.

Get a Wall Hanger

Storing your guitar by leaning it against the wall may cause damage to the neck. Buying a wall hanger for your guitar can ensure that there is no pressure that can bend, warp or damage the neck of the guitar.

A wall hanger doesn’t cost a lot and can potentially save you money on repairs..

Get a Humidifier for Your Guitar

Low humidity levels can cause cracks in the body of your guitar. The dry air causes shrinkage and eventually leads to fractures in your guitar.

Getting a humidifier can ensure that your guitar stays in ideal conditions and doesn’t suffer damage.

Be Careful

The guitar is a somewhat large instrument and can be difficult to handle at times. It’s important to be careful while using your guitar and avoid bumping it into any hard surfaces.

FAQs

Q: How Much Does It Cost To Fix a Broken Guitar Neck?

It costs around $250 to $700 to reset the neck of your acoustic guitar. The price may vary depending on the brand of your guitar, its age, and its overall condition.

The best way to find out how much it’ll cost to fix your guitar would be to go to a local music store or luthier. They will be able to give you a correct estimate of the cost.

Q: Does Hanging Your Guitar Damage It?

No, hanging your guitar up by its neck does not damage it. In fact, it prevents damage to your guitar as it takes the pressure off of the neck of the guitar.

We recommend getting a proper wall hanger made for guitars to ensure that your guitar stays safe.

Final Thoughts

If your guitar happens to have minor damage, you can always fix it at home. However, we recommend going to a luthier for professional repair work. You can also take some steps yourself to protect your guitar and minimize damage.