Glue used for 69 F-212 Back Brace.

[69_F-212]

I write this for a 1969 F-212 that is labeled as made in Hoboken. Three back braces are all popping or popped free. The one under the sound hold first, then the larger one in the middle, and soon the one furthest from the sound hole based on half the glue already being free and the slight bulge behind it. The first two popped free with some wood damage (probably should have been re-glued sooner to avoid the break). The short brace was glued back with wood glue, but not well, and is half unglued now. The long brace is completely out with a small break at the end which let it fall free (all wood still there and fits back). Quotes for fixing would be about the value of guitar and based on other issues with it self repair is considered the only option now. I have a lot of questions about the guitar, but the first is what kind of glue should I use, what was originally used, and how aggressive should I be fixing it? I would like to undo the bad wood glue job too, but I hesitate as I don't know a safe way to do this with title bond wood glue (it is water soluble). Both braces that are not out are unglued on a whole half, should I just try to fix what is unglued or be more proactive about it? This guitar has been played hard and daily since at least 1995, probably longer.

 

[SFIV1967]

Welcome to LTG! I would think they used hot hideglue at this time. But before you glue or repair any bracing make sure the guitar is properly humidified! Usually that kind of damage happens because the guitar was stressed with high or low humidity! Repairing a dry of very humid guitar would just repeat the damage if the conditions change after the repair. So make sure it is in a range of 40 to 50% humidity before you repair.

I always liked watching the old Taylor videos to learn about humidity:









For repairs I always like watching Dan Erlewine's videos:



Ralf