Korean Kent Guitar Repair

[PjGuitars]

Hello, I am new to the forum and new to lutherie. To start my journey I have been consuming YouTube videos and books on the subject.

My first project is to repair a cheaply made Kent guitar. It has a small crack in the transverse brace. This has allowed the soundboard under the fingerboard to cave slightly which has raised the action.

Since this is a practice project I am not too concerned about perfection just wanting to learn.

My thoughts are to either open the back and repair the brace and or remove the neck.

Thoughts?

[rcnewcomb]

This video might be relevant. Blues Creek Guitars - Martin D-42 Top Crack & Separation Repair Video
[youtube]
https://youtu.be/ZELXT6hSopM?si=OYilWWD0Zkayl_FK
[/youtube]

[PjGuitars]

Thanks, I will check it out.

[Skarsaune]

Braces can usually be repaired without removing the top or back for access.

You just work through the sound hole.

[PjGuitars]

Agreed. I did a minor repair to the brace using the sound hole for access. It worked fairly well and for a cheap guitar with laminent everything it sounds ok. But the action was high from the 14th fret to bridge and the fret board had a bit too much fall away. The crack in the sound hole next to the neck was bothering me and I wanted to practice so I did exploratory surgery. I found the truss rod may have a slight bend in it. Probably because the guitar was used as a bat to someone's head.

Brace may not be the problem. Now I can practice putting it back together or take off the neck next. I think these Korean guitars may have dolls though.