Repair And Restoration
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Bowl Back Separation
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Bowl Back Separation
Does anyone have any experience fixing a seam separation on a bowl back mandolin? The wood is in good shape, it’s just separated some time in it’s 100 year lifetime. Body is otherwise completely stable, there are linings on both the inside and outside edges of the rim. Circa 1920 Rex Professional mandolin, a Gretsch brand.
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3 Replies
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If it’s solid (probably reinforced on the inside) I’d be tempted to let it ride. You could fill it for the purposes of aesthetics. I would use some water based wood filler that dries hard and salt to taste with some colorants.
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I had to go look 🤣 I actually have 2 bowlback mandos in the queue. This one is lined, the other is not. And of course, part of the problem with the second one is seam separation. It needs a LOT of work though, so it keeps getting pused to the end of the line. Missing tuners, cracked fretboard, I think the top has issues too. Back to the first one, I might try to work some fish glue in between and just tape it closed, it really is just superficial at this point, but I don’t want it to spread.
Thanks Ian!!
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Not experienced with mandolins, but lutes have similar issues.
I’d warm up some hide glue, dip a palette knife into it, and slip it into the crack. If you have a palette know with a couple of holes in the blade, it’ll deliver more glue – but you won’t need much.
Tape it up and the HHG will see you right.
For more serious splits, I’ll have the top off and soak some linen in HHG and lay it down on the crack from the inside.
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