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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?

This video might be relevant. Blues Creek Guitars - Martin D-42 Top Crack & Separation Repair Video
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https://youtu.be/ZELXT6hSopM?si=OYilWWD0Zkayl_FK
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Thanks, I will check it out.

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

You just work through the sound hole.

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.