Acoustic Guitar Repair

Darryl Hattenhauer · Post by **Darryl Hattenhauer** » 29 Jun 2008 12:05 pm

What would it cost to swap the backs of two identical flat tops? For example, two D28s or two J200s. I assume the bracing inside would be the same on each, so you could leave the bracing alone.

As old acoustics get rarer and rarer, and as more and more of them get played until they are beat, and as UPS breaks more and more of them, we might start salvaging and swapping parts a bit like we do now with solid bodies and -anjos (censored in case bOb sees this).

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 2 Jul 2008 8:47 am

If you went right to the luthier (and not through some store), I'm guessing it might be a few hundred dollars. For a good luthier, it's not that tough a job, but don't expect it to be done quickly. Most of the really good ones have a pretty good backlog of work.

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 2 Jul 2008 8:55 am

We're not just talking about taking one back off, and putting another one on. I'm guessing that the neck would probably have to come off, binding replaced, braces modified---Based on some repair work I had done on my old Martin, several years ago, I'd say the cost woud be well over 1000.00, if done right, by a good, competent luthier who was willing to take on such a project.
If the top's busted on a good acoustic, replace the top. Less expensive job, and less labor-intensive.

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 2 Jul 2008 11:16 am

Don't even think about it.

The shape of each guitar is not exact. There are very minute differences in a body from one guitar to the next, even the same model. These are caused over time from the wood settling and assuming a shape after settling in for a few years. I have seen backs taken off a guitar for repair and then after the instrument sat for a while with the back off, it assumed another shape and was almost impossible to put the same back on again!!

I have fixed thousands of guitars. I would not even think about swapping a back from one to another unless the instrument was worth so much money that it warranted even trying it. Cost would be over $1K with all the finish and binding work required.

Darryl Hattenhauer · Post by **Darryl Hattenhauer** » 2 Jul 2008 4:34 pm

Donny,

That would be a good topic by itself: how very busy the good luthiers are.

Stephen,

I think a back swap would be done only in rare cases where you have two rare but wrecked acoustics with enough good parts for only one good guitar. If you had two ruined Braz D-28s, it would be worth it to salvage the parts to get one player. But Bill's got me thinking that this might happen once every million years.

Bill,

I didn't know that wood could change so much that fast. Would it be possible to salvage a jumbo back and cut it down for, say, a concert size? I suppose mahogany would be easier to work with, and rosewood really difficult.

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 2 Jul 2008 5:37 pm

Darryl Hattenhauer wrote:Donny,

Bill,

I didn't know that wood could change so much that fast. Would it be possible to salvage a jumbo back and cut it down for, say, a concert size? I suppose mahogany would be easier to work with, and rosewood really difficult.

Anything is possible, but practical and the end result is another thing.

I think that rather dealing in abstracts I would rather deal in real scenarios. Do you have an instrument that needs a new back on it?

Darryl Hattenhauer · Post by **Darryl Hattenhauer** » 2 Jul 2008 6:54 pm

Bill,

No I don't have anything like that, and after reading this thread I'm glad I don't. I have thought of someday buying a couple of salvage guitars and doing it, but I'm sure not going to now. It might be a good project for somebody who could do the work himself, but not me. I'm glad I asked.

dh

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 3 Jul 2008 6:19 am

Bill, I was hoping you'd pop up here. I know you've got a lot more experience than me in repairing acoustics.
I remember reading an article about Tony Rice's old D-28, that said the two halves of the back were from different guitars. But that guitar is an exception.
As Bill stated, the back of an acoustic guitar takes on a different shape, over time. And they're not flat to begin with.
Not a practical idea. Get a new top, instead.

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 3 Jul 2008 6:58 am

Darryl, if you feel you absolutely must have this done, there is an excellent luthier/repairman who lives near me who would do it right (assuming it can be done at all.)

The quality of this man's work is such that it would be worth it for you to drive out here to give him the guitar. Just don't plan on getting or back for 3 or 4 months, as he is backlogged with other work.