Dan Erlewine’s tricks for gluing loose braces

www.stewmac.com/
Two braces popped loose inside this Epiphone acoustic. Dan makes some do-it-yourself glue scrapers, and shares a ton of ideas. With his brace gluing wedge and see-thru plastic guitar, Dan turns this fix into a guitar repair class!
If you have questions, please contact us through our webpage www.stewmac.com/email or visit our Facebook page / stewmac
For more information on tools and parts:
StewMac Cordless Guitar Inspection Light
www.stewmac.com/1578.html
3-Piece Inspection Mirror
www.stewmac.com/5124.html
Japanese Curved-edge Mini Saw
www.stewmac.com/3612.html
Brace Gluing Wedge
www.stewmac.com/0200.html
Scissor Jack
www.stewmac.com/0490.html
StewMac Fish Glue
www.stewmac.com/0702.html

[@tedrowland1345]

I am happy to see someone who is happy with their career and patient with their work. To often I have seen others in my craft, (I was not a Luthier, but a carpenter), who would not take the extra time to do something right. They would try to justify themselves by saying the area they were working in wasn't worth all that effort. You could easily be influenced by the "price" of a guitar, but you are not. You treat each client like their instrument was "made of gold". Thank You.

[@morbidrockgod]

I'm a hobbyist player and recently I took a newly-bought cheap acoustic to not one but two "repairmen". None of them did the job the way it was supposed to be done. To be fair, the second one did the hardest and more delicate part well, but crapped out on the nut making and went too far with shaving the original bone saddle. He did the job pretty quickly and my best guess is that he wanted to get paid fast. I understand that, but he didn't even asked how I liked the action on my acoustics. I got tired of this BS and I am now considering replacing the nut and the bridge saddle myself.

[@kwaktak]

Thanks for this instructional video! I built a guitar about 11 years ago and have to go back and glue some loose braces. Thanks to this video I know just what I have to do!

[@joachimschranzhofer5566]

it always amazes me how much prep work needs to be done to accomplish the task itself. Dan's the Man!

[@AudioAtmos]

+Joachim Schranzhofer Good observation. In fact that is the secret to doing successful work in every situation. I always liked the quote; "success is when preparation and opportunity meet".

[@joseeliasluiseberbenjunior9099]

The solution is usually simple, but not easy! And the attention to details is jaw falling (dont know the right expression for oppening the mouth in a suprised way)

[@rolandjgutierrez7737]

No one needs to find a school for repair person the info you put out imo top of the line instructions and to be an employee for Gibson you can't find better I heard for the first time you worked for Gibson that is auwsem but not knowing to myself your vedios are the best I have always refrence any minor repair I do is cheack out one of your vedios and your recommendation eather tools ,pants ,parts are recommended by a reliable person like yourself ,thank you Sir .....Roland J Gutierrez from Magdalena New Mexico USA 🇺🇸

[@salkdjfasldkfjsdlk]

I have been doing certain things for decades but watching someone who has honed his skills for 40+ years is truly humbling. Dan, keep it up. You're inspiring others to be better at whatever they do.

[@The-Real-Blissful-Ignorance]

I've lost count of how many fantastic tips are in this video.

[@tommyrocks9794]

Thanks a lot dan for your very straight forward, get er done tutorial! I am a guitar lifer as well and as I transition into my “midlife” I am learning more about delicate repairs to my instruments. I am always pleased when my first search for videos for broken braces sent me to you and that was a blessing! Thanks for sharing your wisdom with me and the guitar community it is a great and appreciated service!

[@umbalaba]

Wow, just wow. This is a specialist at work on a level beyond most of us.

[@redrock1963]

A bucket of popcorn, a hot coco, a comfy couch watching Dan work his magic.....I'm set.

[@JustinWombleGuitar]

Love watching Dan work!!

[@philh5829]

I've got cramps in both hands just watching...a MASTER at work. Thank you Sir for sharing your invaluable knowledge

[@kenzpenz]

It's great to watch a master at work. This is so interesting and fun to watch. You have the patience of a saint. Thanks for sharing ......Ken ..Marina CA

[@pheldge8806]

Respect M. Erlewine, respect ! You are both a real magician, and creative repairman !

[@joseeliasluiseberbenjunior9099]

Its a free class of how be gentle and how to plan things. Extraordinary job. Thank you very much!

[@tonywatson987]

Excellent work and great ideas, I can certainly use some of your tips - the steel mask and magnet trick is great!

[@Quimerateck]

i just love the patience and dedication

[@westwalnutrecords]

Dan is a genius. He's got so many useful tips and tricks. Endless

[@daviddenison3442]

Dan that was excellent video on the proper way to repair lose wood bracing on the older Gibson guitars. I’ve seen bad repair jobs. Proper tool for the job means everything. I like how you make tools to assist you in the clamping. Above all you need to take the time to keep getting glue everywhere. Thanks Dan I love your videos.

[@billhornmusic]

Masterful as always. I always learn something new watching these!

[@nickpeterson8080]

I can't thank you enough for sharing your endless knowledge, it's just awesome!! Thanks again!

[@caseykittel]

amazing techniques. thanks Dan. you are certainly a master. thank you from every fiber of my soul.

[@syoukhan]

I don't even need to make this kind of repair it's so cool to watch him do this stuff

[@NoteConference]

Man You're over the top! Worth way more per hour than the fanciest lawyer or Plumber!

[@dawidczerniak5177]

You’re a real master of your craft... it’s pleasant to watch and learn something from you Sir

[@U014B]

5:05 I already have "Close to the Edge"; it's one of my favorite albums!

[@jabelsjabels]

Man, that sheet steel + magnets is such a clever solution!

[@evanparker]

this is a really impressive demonstration of a really impressive method.

[@wk3818]

It's awesome having a test jig to recreate the problem and test methodology for repairs.

[@turbilon3881]

Wonderful work! This is art

[@jmendi55]

A true guitar scientist. I'd love to know how much of this Dan learned and how many of these techniques he devised himself. The processes are as creative as playing music itself

[@bellowphone]

Another incredible video, Dan. I feel like I should be paying for these.

[@HBSuccess]

+bellowphone I'd definitely be willing to pay for these (a bit expanded of course) - Hey Dan any thoughts about maybe a "KZbin Red" subscription podcast for luthiers?

[@fendernewporter]

Shhh don't give him no ideas !

[@tombundick1536]

@Kaptain Kid Uh huh. Got a loose brace on my old Martin. Have the little brace repair jack in my shopping cart as we speak, and damned if I don't think I need one of those expensive glue wedges. Best marketing ever, and damn good tools.

[@thespiritof76..]

Oh you are! That is for certain

[@graftongodofmemes]

@@tombundick1536 go to bed

[@rifosi]

The man definitely knows his trade. Thanks for letting us know too.

[@hapshan]

Very fun to watch. you are very talented.

[@holmganghamburg]

wow... i am amazed. simple but well thought.

[@localguy8]

Always love my contractors to be neat n tidy after the job is done good job love the demo 🙏

[@JoshuaC923]

That steel sheet and magnets was simply genius!

[@hadenhodges8288]

Amazing great tips for a successful repair, thanks for sharing

[@JimE6243]

That is some mighty fine work sir. JimE

[@Jesse-B]

Dan the Man. You set the benchmark Uncle Dan.

[@alext8828]

I think this is one of your best videos. I might be wrong but I thought I saw evidence of a previous repair on another of the ribs.

[@Coloradoaudits]

Love it when you do this

[@davkenrem]

I am so Impress with this man's skill.

[@BlutigeTranen]

Thank god for people like you. I'd lose my mind after about thirteen seconds of trying to do this stuff haha

[@raceface_m2579]

I’ve had to glue a back brace on an old Gibson. I did it how Jerry Ross from Rosa Strings used to do his tricky loose bracings. He used to use popsicle sticks to hold the braces down followed by a clamp to the body. There are jacks that can be made too to ensure that the braces gets glued right on. The plates used in here are a great idea, but would require a lot more work. Regardless, great info! Always looking to learn

[@itouchguitar4490]

Dan, you're a darn genius

[@ThibautVDP]

i have a cheap classical guitar with some sentimental value that i wanna try this on. annoyingly it's two flat braces that i have to do. one next to the soundhole, but also one that runs underneath th fan braces. this last i'm scared about most. thank you for the amazing videos!

[@mhajas725]

Good tips, thanks for the video ☺

[@syoukhan]

I wish I had that kind of friend at Gibson too

[@gasparepellecchia]

Awesome! Dan Earleywine is the best Luther

[@Sungodv]

Dan is a national treasure...

[@brucelevine6517]

Brilliant ! 👍

[@chanj3133]

Hi Dan, love your videos. You're a huge inspiration! Where do you get the filler you used for the mold?

[@willemkossen]

Very clever! Thanks!

[@adamapostolos781]

Amazing... thank you

[@stevehammond8393]

thanks man. Quite helpful

[@fordsrestorations970]

I'm trained in restoration of fine antiques, but watching this video tells everyone why I don't repair many music instruments , because it is specialized and you need good teachers....one screw up on a valuable instrument and your in deep trouble. .

[@lamecasuelas2]

This video makes me wanna repair guitars!!

[@The-11]

Wow, I like that you make your own tools. Do you want to fix my '72 Yamaha FG140? Slight crack where your arm comes over the guitar from years of playing.

[@SM4616]

This is what makes YT great 👍🏼

[@iamdjsluggo]

Master Craftsman!!!

[@philgranito4043]

Damn you're good Dan !

[@sclogse1]

Awesome. My Washburn jazzbox has a very pressed in top, but the braces seem to look fine. I'm beginning to wonder that the guitar was kept in it's soft case (before I got it on ebay then discovered this) and something pressed against the case for maybe a year. I'm putting in double rolls of toilet paper tubes (one inside another) at different locations for a soft push to get the top to start going back. A little extra humidity might help. I cannot stand having to have a bridge dialed all the way to the top to play a guitar....

[@RaccoonHenry]

impressive!

[@theelectrodefunhouse4651]

I’d love to own one. Gram Parsons had a later one.

[@jacobynt6851]

I Just want someone to give my body a great glue job

[@Pgcmoore]

i could watch dan work till the cows come home ;)

[@xDooksx]

Genius

[@sfd2570]

Came here for a quick trick to fix my guitar, guess I'll have to take it to a pro now.

[@mentalswill]

Further proof that it is more labor intensive to fix musical instruments than to make them.

[@richardjones1975]

question ? how can I get in touch with you, I need help with my Gibson 12 string acoustic

[@JediasHertz]

What if the loose braces are on the back side of instrument? How to clamp that?

[@LUCKYB.]

Dan i have a chance at a 1928 Kalamazoo .. on the cheap maybe I should get it and send it to you . Looks like hollow bodies are your speciality .

[@brockb6942]

Do we get college credit for this video?

[@thegee-tahguy4877]

Same tuners as Les Paul's log

[@paulgartner4619]

while he had it in the shop, he should have replaced what appears to be one of those horrible injection molded bridges that gibson used. :)

[@evilcowboy]

Is that mouse turds at 1:37 ? How long did they just let it sit in an attic somewhere? Jesus. Good video though.

[@tangikervern7940]

Now that i know that Gibson braces are not quatersawn, i m sure never to buy one.

[@astarothgr]

Jesus CHRIST, this was more complicated than heart surgery!

[@ldean-du5im]

I think his name is Dan.

[@ninjaropes]

Right? I’ll never be able to fix mine. Lol

[@henkew70]

so in the year 3000 the got it all right, a robot will do all the work. clamps.

[@PlatinumVenturesLLC]

I would have just smashed the guitar instead.

[@ZeekDuff]

Okay, what are you calling a "caul" or "kawl" or WHAT? I've never heard that term in that use, and it's not in the dictionary used in that manner with any spelling. How is it the same as the little block of putty-stuffed wood and clear plastic sheet laid on the top? Totally confusing... 😩

[@ZeekDuff]

+Zeek Duff Just watched another demo Dan did about the "Thompson Top Crack Corrector," and Dan refers to the blocks of plastic it's made from as "cauls." I'm now thinking he calls everything that he does not know what it is actually called, a "caul." Okaaay, Dan... LOL 😎

[@tje53]

As Dan's using the term here, a caul is something that comes between the tool and the piece being worked on. It often is to spread the pressure that's being applied, protecting the workpiece. And often a caul is sort of an adapter, shaped to conform to the workpiece. A caul could be a custom shape like Dan's making here, or it could be a flat piece of plexiglas that protects a guitar top from a clamp.

[@ZeekDuff]

+tje53 Thanks for trying, in watching more of Dan's stuff, I think he's been using it as a "catch-all" for everything from what you describe to actual pieces/components of a tool. I just never heard anyone use that word that way, it actually means "helmeted head" & is also the embryonic sac. I get it now, but he sure threw me there for a bit. Thanks again. 🙃

[@Flat-Pickfan]

Caul- A strip or block of wood used to distribute or direct clamping force.

[@trubux]

+Zeek Duff if you search for "caul woodworking", you will find the correct definition.