Gibson Gospel Neck Block Repair

 

During the initial examination of the guitar, a crack was discovered in the front of the guitar. Later it turned out to be more than a simple crack.

It looked like the binding had separated from the guitar. The binding and the pickguard were made of the same material. It made for a very attractive guitar but caused some problems. The plastic binding and pickguard material shrank over the years. The shrinking caused a crack in the soundboard (you can see that in the pickguard repair pictures) and caused the lining to separate from the soundboard in a few places.

 

 

 

 

 

This is a picture inside the guitar. The thin knife is in a crack in the neck block. This was discovered after the neck was removed. This was probably caused when the headstock broke off. The force of the impact that broke the headstock caused damage further down the guitar. This small knife was used to spread glue into the crack. The crack was also accessible from the dovetail pocket in the front.

 

Here glue is worked into the top crack to secure the binding and lining to the side and top of the guitar.

 

 

 

 

 

A few clamps on the guitar tighten up everything.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pressure is applied from all needed directions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The New England Luthiers is an association of professionals and amateurs brought together by a common love of making stringed instruments