My dear patients,

May this old doctor sincerely (and belatedly...Christmas duty rosters...) wish all his patients and other Mudcatters all very best wishes of the season and an excellent and most healthy New Year!

First of all a sincere apology to Mr Nickel Creek. I did actually post an answer to you but I think, most unfortunately, it coincided exactly with what I think is referred to by those more computer literate than I as "the 'Cat going down". I shall try, however, to recollect what I said on that occasion. I believe, from the model number, your guitar is an "Eden Fields" model and, if my failing memory serves me correctly, these have a translucent coloured finish. Repairing a crack at the heel is normally not too difficult to do oneself although you may need access to an extra long specialist luthier's clamp depending on the nature of the problem. There is an end block inside the guitar here and, therefore, something to glue (preferably hide glue) against.

A greater problem, and one which may eventually necessitate a trip to your local competent luthier, is refinishing over the crack as the finish is a translucent laquer which may be hard to match up yourself. Cost is difficult to assess without seeing the damage, but if it is localised, should not be excessive.

Yours most sincerely,

Dr. Guitar