Mr.Woody Posted January 2, 2022 Share Posted January 2, 2022 (edited) Last Sunday while putting my guitar back in its case and putting the humidi-packs in, my wedding ring caught the edge of the sound hole and a "massive" chip broke off. I love the look of beat-up guitars and the chip doesn't bother me so much, but i'm curious of other's views on this. If you were looking to buy this guitar, would you want to see the chip glued back on, or left off? Here's pics: Edited January 2, 2022 by Mr.Woody Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrairieSchooner Posted January 2, 2022 Share Posted January 2, 2022 I'd try to glue it but that's just me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanCarlosVejar Posted January 2, 2022 Share Posted January 2, 2022 My opinion: Leave it off … it’s a battle scar and part of the history of your guitar .It won’t look as good just glued back on … so leave it off and that way over time it will look like a proper vintage guitar . JC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RBSinTo Posted January 2, 2022 Share Posted January 2, 2022 (edited) First, you have to decide whether you are bothered or not by the damage, and if so, are you (or someone else) going to fix it? Then a third option would be to let a qualified Luthier look at the damage, and quote a price to do a proper repair. My choices would be to re-glue it myself or have a Luthier fix it. RBSinTo Edited January 2, 2022 by RBSinTo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted January 2, 2022 Share Posted January 2, 2022 That looks like a higher-end J-45. You have the piece, and it goes back pretty cleanly. If it were mine, I would glue it back in. I might actually have my luthier do it, as it would be like it never happened, and cost me about $100 to fix. If you leave it out, that may prove to be a pick-catcher over time, and lead to more damage that is not so easily fixed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted January 2, 2022 Share Posted January 2, 2022 "Battle scar" is questionable, but it's not normal play wear. It's a mistake. And as j45Nick said, it could catch on a pick. It could also cut the side of a finger, or break out more of the top or the rosette. Any luthier qualified in finish repair, by mixing a little color tint in with the CA, could make that almost unnoticeable. If someone was deciding between two similar model guitars, it's quite likely they'll pursue the one with out that unrepaired damage. Check out the video Dan Erlewine did for StewMac on drop fill repairs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTVScFJoe24 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted January 2, 2022 Share Posted January 2, 2022 I agree with Nick. Accidents happen. But its in a good spot for more damage if not repaired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted January 2, 2022 Share Posted January 2, 2022 Glue this chip back - and do it yourself. No big deal. In fact you already positioned it perfectos. After it has dried, retouche a little with black ink of some sort and then : Cured if not healed battle scar. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted January 2, 2022 Share Posted January 2, 2022 1 minute ago, E-minor7 said: After it has dried, retouche a little with black ink of some sort. . . Of course only the light break-borders - use an ultra thin permanent marker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted January 2, 2022 Share Posted January 2, 2022 You are fortunate to have the chipped piece as intact as it is. If it were mine, I absolutely would want it back in place - it’s still part of the guitar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomPhx Posted January 2, 2022 Share Posted January 2, 2022 I'd glue the chip back in if it were mine. As has been said earlier, the unprotected area could be the scene of further damage, if not filled back in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egoidealmusic Posted January 2, 2022 Share Posted January 2, 2022 Agreed on glueing it back in. A little water thin CA glue on each side will keep you from run out and a black paint pen would cover most of the lines unless someone is looking super close. And if they are, they need t buy you a drink. 😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhanners623 Posted January 3, 2022 Share Posted January 3, 2022 (edited) I'm with the glue-it-back crowd. But I'd have a pro do it. It is a repair that won't cost much, and I think gluing stuff back on a guitar is best left to a pro. Do it while you still can. I like a "roadworn" look as much as the next guy, but this just looks broken. Unless you're Willie Nelson or Glen Hansard, it's a tough look to pull off. Edited January 3, 2022 by dhanners623 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kwlsky Posted January 3, 2022 Share Posted January 3, 2022 Definitely glue it back on. That chip looks like it will stand out, and will probably be the first thing people notice when they see your guitar up close. It will distract them from noticing the inherent beauty of the guitar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lars68 Posted January 3, 2022 Share Posted January 3, 2022 (edited) If it was my guitar, I would glue it back on using wood glue. Then I would get a WATER BASED black pen (as the ones you find in a toy store) and cover the thin cracks completely. It will quickly wick it's way into the cracks. Then I'd let it dry and wipe off the excess. The fix will potentially be impossible to see. I onced tried to cover the thin line from a minor crack repair with a PERMANT black marker, but it melted the finish and left a big mess. I have since done similar small repairs with water based pens, and it works great and can do no harm. Good luck! Lars Edited January 3, 2022 by Lars68 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted January 3, 2022 Share Posted January 3, 2022 Glue it in, yourself or a shop/luthier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyearspickn Posted January 4, 2022 Share Posted January 4, 2022 Agree w Lars68. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
75 Hummingbird Posted January 4, 2022 Share Posted January 4, 2022 Hey Woody ...i would love to see a picture of the ring that created that kind of damage lol. The love of your life must have paid a fortune for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted January 4, 2022 Share Posted January 4, 2022 2 hours ago, 75 Hummingbird said: ...i would love to see a picture of the ring that created that kind of damage lol. Yes, seems one ring got very attracted to another here : The rosette. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olie Posted January 4, 2022 Share Posted January 4, 2022 I agree with the "glue it" camp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted January 4, 2022 Share Posted January 4, 2022 if you haven't reglued this yet, my only question would be, what are ya waiting for. 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted January 4, 2022 Share Posted January 4, 2022 (edited) 58 minutes ago, kidblast said: if you haven't reglued this yet, my only question would be, what are ya waiting for. 🙂 He is waiting on 10 - 15 more posts on what advice to take. If more say glue - glue, if more say leave it - leave it, I guess? I am assuming the owner was going in to grab the humidity packs and smashed down on the edge of the sound hole with his ring, and since it looks routed for the rosette it chipped there. Edited January 4, 2022 by Sgt. Pepper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt Posted January 4, 2022 Share Posted January 4, 2022 Remember, Only A Gibson Is Glued Enough. So, of course, glue the chip back in its rightful place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olie Posted January 5, 2022 Share Posted January 5, 2022 3 hours ago, jt said: Remember, Only A Gibson Is Glued Enough. So, of course, glue the chip back in its rightful place. Now, that's a groaner, jt! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Woody Posted January 5, 2022 Author Share Posted January 5, 2022 (edited) Hi all, sorry for the slow reply!! I have not glued the chip back in yet, but am considering letting a luthier do it. Not really sure of the cost/benefit ratio. I have a bottle of Titebond II sitting on the table here, and am completely comfortable doing it myself, although my wife has mentioned this being an expensive guitar (just under $5k), so it would be better to have it professionally done so it doesn't turn out looking "redneck" lol The top has started showing quite a few scratches (super thin finish), so I'm not sure it would be worth paying a luthier to make it "invisible" when there will be a bunch of scratches nearby. Thoughts? I'm guessing since this isn't a warranty repair, taking it to a non-Gibson-authorized luthier won't have any impact on my Gibson warranty? Oh, also as for the ring: I was tucking in the flap on the humidipack and when I pulled my fingers back out of the soundhole, my ring (with sharp edges) caught the edge. It all happened so quickly!! Never had that happen before for sure! So here's what it looks like with the chip put back in place. Thoughts on having a luthier "do it right" and make it look like it never happened vs just doing it myself and coloring in the edges to hide it as best as possible? Just for info sake, it's a 2018 "1942 J-45 Legend" bought at CME. Also, here's my wedding ring. It's made from meteorite. It used to be mirror polished and the edges were more rounded, but over the last 12 years the "grain" has started showing, and the edges have sharpened a good bit. Funny thing.....my ring also has a chip in it lol Edited January 5, 2022 by Mr.Woody 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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