My sister-in-law gave me two boxes that belonged to her grandfather. She estimates they are over 60 years old. Both feel very fragile. One has a crack in the bottom as well as two brads nailing the cracked bottom to the side. You can see one of the brads above the "r" in "Cremo." What can/should be done to repair the crack? My current plan is to build it as a 3 string fretless with a piezo.
Tags:
I have a Cremo box with a label on the bottom "Factory No. 902 1st District State of Michigan" and the tax stamp dates it to 1901. Definitely a keeper. If you are concerned about the crack you could probably work some glue into it and repair it, but if it doesn't cause a buzz or rattle it just adds character. Great box for a relic build like this diddley bow I built out of an old "Owl" box.Here's a picture of my Cremo box.
Maybe instead of taking a chance with a clamp, use a few rubber bands.
Were it me I would use the helpful tips in repairing the crack, then above that as you said "They feel fragile" I would reinforce the entire inside of the box with 1/8" Baltic birch plywood lining the entire inside with it. Some may argue a loss of acoustic tone and I won't disagree but the protection of the beauty of the box and it's structural integrity would trump tone on this build for me. just my 2/100 of a dollar
I would fill that crack with Titebond(original), Elmers Wood glue or some CA/epoxy before it gets worse. For the rest of the box, on the inside glue some corner stiffeners and some stiffeners along the side were it meets the bottom on the inside.
Personally, I would do as little repairs as necessary to the box. Those boxes are made from real wood and as long as the joints aren't falling apart will work fine. No need to "make a silk purse out of a sow's ear". The only modifications I made to the box on my Owl relic build were small corner blocks to allow for the screws that hold the lid on. One screw in each corner hold the lid on and two screws through the lid hold the neck in. Stay primal and have fun with your builds.
Here are expert instructions on how to repair a crack on a guitar. Suggest you review them.
http://www.stewmac.com/SiteSearch/crack%20repair.html?facet=&ta...
Curious what you decided on the crack?
Mark--Pretty much followed the good advice above. Ended up backing out one brad to better access the crack, filled it with glue, and braced the inside with leftover scrap. Also braced the corners and another smaller crack that was only visible from the inside due to the paper cover.
I think that was a pretty good way to go.
I have about a dozen vintage boxes, mostly pre depression period, but I haven't built with many, most being too small for the style of instruments I like to build. I like that vintage looking D/bow above though. That might be a good project for some.
But no matter the age of the box I like to build them to last, hopefully without over-bracing. So I generally use the corner blocks and even thin lining strips to make sure all the joints are solid on the inside, while unseen from the exterior.
For that vintage box, it would have been important to me for it to look as original as possible on the exterior. But I might have gone as far as to close the cracks with Hyde glue and add some "violin patches" of similar wood to the inside to insure long term stability.
Very nice build!
PS. I'd experiment with pushing that bridge (assuming its a floating bridge) back around the 1/3rd from the tail range and see how it sounds. (As opposed to the center of the top.) See what flavor that provides.
Started by Justin Stanchfield. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 20. 9 Replies 2 Likes
Started by BrianQ.. Last reply by MadGomer Feb 27. 2 Replies 4 Likes
Started by Ian Boyd. Last reply by Ian Boyd Dec 11, 2023. 1 Reply 0 Likes
Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Michael Myers Apr 20, 2023. 8 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Brenda. Last reply by MadGomer Dec 3, 2022. 5 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Wichita Sam. Last reply by Taffy Evans Nov 14, 2022. 21 Replies 1 Like
Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Taffy Evans Nov 3, 2022. 4 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Robert Killen. Last reply by Paul Craig Oct 14, 2022. 23 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Larry Sobol. Last reply by Larry Sobol Oct 1, 2022. 6 Replies 2 Likes
Started by jon neet. Last reply by Taffy Evans Aug 16, 2022. 6 Replies 1 Like
Started by Doug Laffin. Last reply by Order99 Aug 11, 2022. 4 Replies 1 Like
Started by Paul Craig. Last reply by Paul Craig Jul 17, 2022. 14 Replies 1 Like
Started by Roy Smith. Last reply by the anonymous pick May 15, 2022. 2 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Al Lobe. Last reply by BrianQ. May 10, 2022. 18 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Taffy Evans May 6, 2022. 5 Replies 1 Like
Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Michael Myers May 2, 2022. 5 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Wichita Sam. Last reply by MadGomer Feb 23, 2022. 2 Replies 4 Likes
Started by Lionhound. Last reply by MadGomer Feb 18, 2022. 8 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Paul Craig. Last reply by Paul Craig Dec 9, 2021. 18 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Ken Hope. Last reply by Christopher G Daniels Nov 29, 2021. 4 Replies 1 Like
Posted by Vlad on March 31, 2024 at 11:48pm 0 Comments 1 Like
Posted by Vlad on March 6, 2024 at 2:32am 5 Comments 2 Likes
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 28, 2024 at 2:09pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 17, 2024 at 11:00pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by Vlad on February 11, 2024 at 1:06am 1 Comment 1 Like
May 11, 2024 from 11am to 8pm – Speakeasy Grill
0 Comments 0 LikesMay 30, 2024 from 6:30pm to 10pm – The Casual Pint of Huntsville
0 Comments 0 Likes© 2024 Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker. Powered by
Cigar Box Nation is presented by C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply, your one-stop-shop for Cigar Box Guitar parts and accessories!