How important is acoustic guitar crack?

Subject: How important is acoustic guitar crack?
From: Tigger the Tiger
Date: 28 Jan 12 - 09:37 AM

I frequently see guitars with about a 4 inch crack in the soundboard below the bridge. What is the cause of this type of crack usually?Does this mean the guitar is particularly fragile or is this a usable instrument?Usually these seem like rather thin and shallow cracks.

Subject: RE: How important is acoustic guitar crack?
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 Jan 12 - 10:29 AM

Not nearly as big a market as regular crack although better smelling than butt style crack..................

Spaw

Subject: RE: How important is acoustic guitar crack?
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 Jan 12 - 10:32 AM

Didja' ever take a look at Willie's guitar?   So much for cracks, weakness, finish, wood quality and type, and most other things we all consider so sacred.............

Spaw

Subject: RE: How important is acoustic guitar crack?
From: GUEST,999
Date: 28 Jan 12 - 11:04 AM

Most acoustic guitar problems are connected to humidity or lack thereof.

Subject: RE: How important is acoustic guitar crack?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 28 Jan 12 - 11:07 AM

When my guitar had a mishap and got some fine cracks in the soundboard, I called my brother the genius. (This was several years ago.) He said, "The big question is, do any of the cracks go over a glued joint?"

My answer was no. That was good. He said we should drill holes in the soundboard at the end of the cracks, matching the size of the crack to the size of the hole. The round opening will prevent the crack from going further. Then I could fill the holes if I desired, though it is not strictly necessary.

So we put a sewing machine needle in the drill, and made small holes at the end of the small cracks. I filled the holes with putty from the hardware store. The instrument's been fine ever since.

If I owned a guitar with a crack below the soundboard, I would drill the holes before the crack advances any further.