Repairing a warped guitar

Repairing a warped guitar

[@Paul_Warren_Wolfe]

Thank you so very much for making (and keeping) this video available. My father-in-law passed away this past August, and I inherited his Fender acoustic. He often complained that it wouldn't stay in tune and would ask me to look at it, but always at a family event when there wasn't an opportunity to really check it out. Now that he's gone, I've found the problem - the top cross brace by the bridge came loose, and the top has warped. I was surprised to find out that this rather old looking guitar is actually from 2001! He really didn't take good care of it. At any rate, it is my intention to repair the guitar and make it playable to honor his memory. Thank you for giving me some information to help make this possible.

[@kennethjohnson6164]

Great video. My Dad called them sound pegs instead of cauls. He used a bit fatter piece of wood and he rounded one opposite side of each end with sandpaper so as to snap them in easier and he added glue to the end to make them permanent and solid. The only time he would take them out is if they fell out. If they fell out then you know the top has gone back to its original form and accepted the humidification. But that didnt always happen so he started just glueing them in. No problems that way and its forever.

[@cragonoskritirea2982]

This video is gonna be great, got a guitar in pretty extreme condition from my mom so I want to do a full repair this is an amazing method

[@richardjohnson9702]

I know this is a old post BUT the fact you said "this is just a cheap guitar" keeps going through my head when I look at an early 70's Yamaha 12 string Red Label contemplating doing this!!!!!!!!!

[@johnlaing497]

I repaired a old Guitar today using this step by step and it worked just fine. thanks.

[@WheelNelson]

Awesome!

[@WheelNelson]

Thank you Sir, glad to hear

[@jukejointjezebell8774]

John Laing I want to try it tomorrow I think

[@asammerenglishlearning9945]

When do you have to take out those bars you yse as a prop inside?

[@1ofthedudeswatching57]

Thanks Wheel good tips , I had a bulge in my Maton so I removed the bridge and microwaved a wet tea towel until it was steaming then applied pressure where the bridge was with a block and the bulge is gone . Still going to put in a bridge doctor though for strength .

[@AmIonArock]

Hi Wheel, very interesting, and very fast results.I got a project going on that is in 4 months going into 5. its an acoustic guitar from Japan.in the 70's made. All these years Strings pulling on the bridge and the wood in front sort of bowed down resulting in bridge and top kind of rolled forward. Intonation became sharp by a good solid 1/8" . I figured if I could roll that bridge area back I could fix the intonation, at least close. So I set guitar to stand up, got long threaded studs. Stuck through the holes where string pins go.with flat washers and nuts tighten holding bridge and body together with 6" still sticking out. I then placed a can filled with water on the inside of the guitar, I then sealed all the openings up. I then placed for first 2 months a brick on the extended bolts, did not get results I wanted. Replaced the water and added a additional brick and 1/2 brick. so guitar now had two and a half bricks resting on the 2 threaded studs inserted into the bridge's string holes. for 2 more months. the weight had me worried so I would look at the guitar everyday fearing the bridge might separate from body. The months went by slowly and the guitar was in a large closet that also contained a water heater. Temperature is consistent a nice warmth and not disturbed ,only my visits Well it worked. The guitar is back in closet. I put it in there to dry out. The water that was in can had all but disappeared I still have a brick, only one now. on studs. Now I have reversed what has happened in time. But what happens when I put strings on again? I have been reading about shellac or lacquer the inside but I don't think that would be my solution to stop my fix from being reversed. I would very appreciate your thoughts. Thanks

[@fenderfox5080]

Hey is your guitar an Aria? By chance lol, I have an aria 12 string from the 70s and it's got bulge real bad and I just came across this video after filing a new nut new strings and that crap and action is too high lol. Anyways just thought I'd ask.

[@claing17]

I just picked up an aria for cheap. I have to do the exact same repair. Times not really an issue but it would be nice to play it next year.

[@HOWARDdlx]

Great video. I have a guitar I built that got warped past the bridge because the guy I got lacquer it let it sit in his humid shop before he gave up and gave it back to me. Would steaming it and propping it up work for my case as well?

[@demonicsweaters]

great video man! One question, how long did you wait after steaming and putting in the shims before you glued it?

[@stewarth1571]

I can just imagine me doing exactly the same and forgetting to turn the cooker off and having charred guitar haa haa, Thanks for this tips Wheel im in the process of trying get a bulge down and overlooked this area

What are the alternatives for this process

[@paulbcote]

If the brace ends up diverging again next summer, try running some tightbond glue over the top of the brace before placing your stilts inside. After a couple of days you should be back in business

[@johnnycakeslim]

Wow. What a concept. I have a Jumbo Taylor 12 string that I brought to Philippines for a couple years. Now back in California. Its been mostly in its case but now the top is bowed and even though neck pretty straight the action is high and its hard to play. Maybe i can fix it. Its an expensive guitar and a shame to see it go to waste. Thanks for your info and i hope your work lasted.

[@USA4thewin]

man just found out my soundboard is warped what a bummer ,, can I replace the soundboard ?

[@mboyer68]

Can you put the shim right on the brace?

[@asammerenglishlearning9945]

For how many days those bars you placed inside will be taken out?

Interesting. Did it remain straight after the whole process? I've heard once the guitar top is warped, no matter what you do, the wood will have a memory and return to the warped condition. Have an old 7 strings and am wanting to try your tips, though.

[@GarGlingT]

Humidity even piano

[@ColinWatters]

Surprised you could bend the fretboard by bracing against the back. Thought the back might bend instead.

[@WheelNelson]

no problems yet ...hehe

[@WheelNelson]

You have the cowl (support piece) resting on the brace on the back if you can so that gives more strength as you get the fretboard to come up. I dont use a ton of pressure though, ...you are not working on a truck heheheh

[@dezmonseth674]

This a bummer 😕 I just bought a taylor 914 CE and it has the same problem.

[@fgoindarkg]

I'll have 1 fried guitar, with noodles. Hold the nut sauce.

[@timlazurka1465]

Hi Wheel Nelson I would like to try that , but I have an old Silvertone guitar that is bulged at the bridge as well. Suggestions?

[@WheelNelson]

I'll help ya, but it would be best if I could see some pictures of it.

[@timlazurka1465]

Ok thanks I’ll have to take some.

[@timlazurka1465]

Hey Wheel I replied to a KZbin email and sent three pictures does that help

[@WheelNelson]

I'll try and retrieve them. I dont use that email, I'll try to figure that out.

[@timlazurka1465]

Wheel Nelson the pictures didn’t send do u have email I can use?

[@whatyoumakeofit6635]

Did he say he will let it sit for a month after gluing ?

[@WheelNelson]

For the wood to get used to being humidified again and without string tension to help it stay straight and flat after removing the cowls. Not referring to the glue curing, so go have a seat.

[@briansmith2363]

Wheel Nelson What if most of the top is warped really bad? Years ago I saw a old parlor guitar made from Birch not stored right hole top warped it was in a damp basement. Would you have to put team and some weight on top if most top is severely warped?

[@WheelNelson]

Whatever methods meet the end goal always works. Be creative and pay attention, you will get 'er done.

[@lotzofguitars5847]

Wheel Nelson I just tried this on a dove copy and it works

[@austinbogle8795]

Dumb question but would this apply to a mandolin as well?

[@kopprophet3819]

Humidify the guitar. Glue and clamp the brace back into place. I wouldn't leave the cauls you made in the guitar - you can crack the top that way. A wooden caul is going to expand and retract with changing conditions.

[@WheelNelson]

Ha, it's a paint stirring stick cut into a section to lift as it dries after a steam.... it'll be all good, you can sleep well.

[@DailyHumsafarke]

I work guitar

[@DougHinVA]

slow down

[@MrBobbin01]

Don't give up your day job.

[@WheelNelson]

My day job is fixing guitars hahahahahahha kiss my ass hehehehe

[@WheelNelson]

DOnt be too hard on MrBobbino, Urraca, he is sad and jealous because he plays a warped guitar, heheheh

[@MrBobbin01]

Well thank you so much. Lm happy I can give you a little diversion. Still think he needs to get a new job.

[@HOWARDdlx]

MrBobbin01 what do you do to justify criticizing what someone else is doing? Funny how it’s easy to troll someone who’s making an effort to creat something and give advice they think others could be looking for

[@justins7900]

your a real professional telling your critics to kiss your ass .....your a moron