Argh! Deep scars on the top

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mrMagenta

Posts: 942
Joined: Oct. 25 2006
From: Sweden

Argh! Deep scars on the top

My 12 slot bridge had a too sharp edge right where the string bends above the bridge. The little e-string snapped and whipped a deep scar below the bridge. I thought it snapped because it was worn out, and didn't notice the damage so i put on a new string and it snapped as well. then i found two tracks on the top almost 1mm deep and the same width as the string. any tips on how i could fill the grooves and make a decent repair?

I would pass out if this had happened on a nice handmade guitar.. if i ever order one it will be with a standard 6-hole bridge so that it can't whip out like that.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 9 2007 14:52:18

Per Hallgren

Posts: 241
Joined: Jul. 1 2006
From: Sweden

RE: Argh! Deep scars on the top (in reply to mrMagenta)

Always burn a small ball at the end of the treble strings and you avoid accidents like this.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 9 2007 15:49:51

Guest

RE: Argh! Deep scars on the top (in reply to mrMagenta)

Stick on a minature golpeador behind the bridge. If it happens again it won´t matter.

Sean

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 9 2007 17:27:50

Georg

Posts: 405
Joined: Feb. 5 2006
From: Germany

RE: Argh! Deep scars on the top (in reply to mrMagenta)

My advice is to accept these dings and dongs. If you use a guitar, it will get scratches. I think we tend to be too careful with our guitars instead of having fun with it.

Look at the guitars of the greats. They are full of scratches.

I have come to look at them as patina which makes my guitars unique.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 9 2007 19:16:00

JBASHORUN

Posts: 1839
Joined: Jan. 23 2005

[Deleted]

Post has been moved to the Recycle Bin at Apr. 11 2011 19:17:32

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 9 2007 21:12:30

mrMagenta

Posts: 942
Joined: Oct. 25 2006
From: Sweden

RE: Argh! Deep scars on the top (in reply to mrMagenta)

on the little e string I burn a ball on both ends of the string and tie a knot on the roller end.. the string got cut about 1.5cm from the ball. on the other nylons i just make a ball on the bridge side.

You're right.. After a while I just forget about the marks. Actually, it's comfortable not having to be über cautious .. i'm still interested if something could be used to fill up the grooves though.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 10 2007 0:01:24

JBASHORUN

Posts: 1839
Joined: Jan. 23 2005

[Deleted]

Post has been moved to the Recycle Bin at Apr. 11 2011 19:16:07

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 10 2007 0:05:48

Ricardo

Posts: 14806
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: Argh! Deep scars on the top (in reply to mrMagenta)

This happened to a friend, on a normal 6 hole bridge. Same thing, a "scar" at first. Eventually it opened up and split from the bridge to the bottom. Very bad. If the split runs under the bridge the guitar is practically ruined. Remember how much tension is on the wood there around the bridge. I would have a luthier look at it. If the "scar" is deep enough, the luthier may want to put stitches inside under the scar, to keep the wood from splitting open. In the mean time, don't let the guitar get too dry.

Ricardo

PS, not a nice handmade instrument with a 12 hole tie block??? What is the make?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 12 2007 15:28:49

HemeolaMan

Posts: 1514
Joined: Jul. 13 2007
From: Chicago

RE: Argh! Deep scars on the top (in reply to mrMagenta)

a reallly mischevious and adventurous luthier once advised me to steam out the dings by using a wet cloth and a soldering iron. it worked. if the ding is small, i'd say give it a go, but if its way huge and really cool, definitely leave it, and make up a story about how you narrowly escaped a knife fight or something lol.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 13 2007 20:54:30

mrMagenta

Posts: 942
Joined: Oct. 25 2006
From: Sweden

RE: Argh! Deep scars on the top (in reply to mrMagenta)

It's a Quiles model SF-1. Cedar top and cypress sides. 530Euros, so it's a cheap guitar. It needed proper bones and a second golpeador above the soundhole, also had to lower the action. I'd be sad if it would split because i can't afford a new one and i've grown fond of it, it plays well, sounds decent and looks allright. I'll follow your advice and show it to a local luthier/repairman.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 13 2007 22:05:26

Per Hallgren

Posts: 241
Joined: Jul. 1 2006
From: Sweden

RE: Argh! Deep scars on the top (in reply to mrMagenta)

Var finns du? Jag är strax utanför Göteborg. Translated: Where are you? I'm outside Göteborg.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 15 2007 10:12:20

mrMagenta

Posts: 942
Joined: Oct. 25 2006
From: Sweden

RE: Argh! Deep scars on the top (in reply to Per Hallgren)

Jag finns i Stockholm. Gitarrer och flamenco samlas kring Göteborg tycks det, jag gillar den staden. Gitarren, dvs butiken, t.ex. tycks sälja massa fina flamencomodeller. Såg att de säljer en av dina klassiska gitarrer också.

Jag skulle vara intresserad av att bli guidad av en gitarrmakare, kanske med liknande upplägg som privata gitarrlektioner.. fast i ytbehandling, reparationer, konstruktion osv. Jag hade ett tag tänkt gå utbildningen som fanns här dvs Claes Malmbergs gitarrmakarprogram, men den lades ner.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 16 2007 16:39:56

Ricardo

Posts: 14806
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: Argh! Deep scars on the top (in reply to mrMagenta)

jag giller sten av att som upplagg lades fanns dvs dvd vhs vara tap sag ett Viking gitarrer och Yngwie malmsteen ocksa skulle meatball.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 16 2007 22:03:19

JBASHORUN

Posts: 1839
Joined: Jan. 23 2005

RE: Argh! Deep scars on the top (in reply to mrMagenta)

I understood Ricardo's post but not the others...

Jb

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 16 2007 23:23:54

Per Hallgren

Posts: 241
Joined: Jul. 1 2006
From: Sweden

RE: Argh! Deep scars on the top (in reply to JBASHORUN)

quote:

I understood Ricardo's post but not the others...

That's because he's speaking swenglish, the language he has in common with the "Swedish chef" in the muppet show. True swedish is a rare bird, more difficult than true flamenco.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 17 2007 6:43:21

Estevan

Posts: 1936
Joined: Dec. 20 2006
From: Torontolucía

RE: Argh! Deep scars on the top (in reply to Per Hallgren)

Ja visst!

[true Swedish, and most of what I know...

]

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 17 2007 18:16:04

Mordorito

Posts: 50
Joined: Aug. 11 2012
From: Delaware, USA

RE: necro-post...sorry: Argh! Deep s... (in reply to Ricardo)

Sorry to necro-post. This is the thread I read regarding string ding creating a crack. Ricardo's post halfway up. Thanks

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 10 2012 23:13:26

estebanana

Posts: 9351
Joined: Oct. 16 2009

RE: Argh! Deep scars on the top (in reply to mrMagenta)

Ricardo called Yingweenie a Swedish meatball? Whaa !!!!

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 10 2012 23:41:52

Mordorito

Posts: 50
Joined: Aug. 11 2012
From: Delaware, USA

RE: Argh! Deep scars on the top (in reply to estebanana)

Ahh, I see now why necro-posting is frowned upon...

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 10 2012 23:47:11

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: Argh! Deep scars on the top (in reply to mrMagenta)

quote:

Sorry to necro-post. This is the thread I read regarding string ding creating a crack. Ricardo's post halfway up. Thanks

Ah, now I can understand your worries. I´ve never seen this happen. But of course, a string ding doesnt make the soundbord stronger... This with lifting dings with stem, I´ve only tryed on raw wood and it works, but on a finished guitar, I think it´ll destroy the lacquer or Frenck polish in a split second.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 11 2012 9:04:39

Mordorito

Posts: 50
Joined: Aug. 11 2012
From: Delaware, USA

RE: Argh! Deep scars on the top (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

Thanks Anders. I am glad that neither you nor estebanana have seen a string ding cause a crack. This makes me feel better. Hopefully the guitar Ricardo referenced had some other issue as well that may have contributed to the crack. I am going to leave the soundboard alone. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise for my guitar, because the ding will remind me to take better care of my guitar during our dry winters here.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 11 2012 13:26:30

Doitsujin

Posts: 5078
Joined: Apr. 10 2005

RE: Argh! Deep scars on the top (in reply to mrMagenta)

Hey mrMagenta is your avatar a hint on gangnam style?

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 11 2012 14:25:44

britguy

Posts: 712
Joined: Dec. 26 2010
From: Ontario, Canada

RE: Argh! Deep scars on the top (in reply to Ricardo)

quote:

PS, not a nice handmade instrument with a 12 hole tie block???

What's the problem with 12-hole tie blocks?

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 17 2012 22:29:48

keith

Posts: 1108
Joined: Sep. 29 2009
From: Back in Boston

RE: Argh! Deep scars on the top (in reply to britguy)

britguy--as an owner of a 12 hole tie block i have discovered one must melt a ball at the end of a nylon string as it will slip under the part of the string that "locks" it. with a 6 hole bridge the double or triple looping at the tie block is usually enough to grab the string and prevent it from sliding and this is not part of the procedure with a 12 hole tie block (of course one can just use only 6 holes).. i usually pass about an inch or so of the end of the string through a folded piece of 120 grit sandpaper to further prevent slippage. the steel strings have ridges and therefore grab easily and no ball is needed.

the original post concerned a damaged tie block which caused his string to break. myMagenta--you might want to see a luthier about this. i would imagine one could fill the groove with a rounded sliver of rosewood glued into the groove then filed smooth--or the hole is filled then re-drilled. other material could be used i would imagine.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 18 2012 13:31:27

callistoluna

Posts: 29
Joined: Aug. 20 2012

RE: Argh! Deep scars on the top (in reply to mrMagenta)

I have had this happen to me. It is very traumatising. Especially when you take a lot of care to try them right. I agree with what many have said here - burning little balls at the end of the strings is a good idea for 12 hole tie blocks....just be careful not to over heat the string and cause the nylon to become brittle - that causes it to snap above the ball.

I took my guitar to a luthier to get the ding looked at. They filled the hole with shellac and buffed it back so now you can barely see it - also if it does happen again (please, god, no!) then the finish will get damaged again but hopefully not the wood. The luthier may also be able to fix the bridge so it isn't so sharp...I got my frets redressed at the same time, no problem.

The thing to remember is dings are a part of life. Everything from people, to guitars to phones and cars get them over time :)

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 21 2014 21:05:23