My acoustic guitar has a crack in the body. Who are the best luthiers for vintage instrument repair?

• Brothers Music Shop and Guitar Repair - 731 S Broadway, Wind Gap, PA 18091, United States
• Finocchio Guitarworks - 20 S Maple St, Easton, PA 18042, United States
• Guitar Doctor - 460 Wegman Rd, Reading, PA 19606, United States
• Bucks County Folk Music Shop - 40 S Sand Rd, New Britain, PA 18901, United States
• West End Music - 3111 Tilghman St, Allentown, PA 18104, United States
• Hawk Music - 721 Linden St, Bethlehem, PA 18018, United States
• West End Music - 1131 Trexlertown Rd, Trexlertown, PA 18087, United States
• Guitar Villa - Retro Music Bethlehem - 228 Nazareth Pike, Bethlehem, PA 18020, United States
• Chaos Guitars - Fogelsville, PA 18051
• The Other Luthier - 365 Mauch Chunk St, Nazareth, PA 18064, United States
• Robert Tice, Luthier - 2503 US-209, Sciota, PA 18354, United States
• Fretworks Guitar Services - 257 Farmview Dr, Harleysville, PA 19438, United States

If this is a vintage or valuable acoustic, I’d prioritize a luthier who regularly does structural restoration and crack repair, rather than a general guitar tech. Since you’re in eastern Pennsylvania, you have several unusually strong options nearby.

My shortlist

• Brothers Music Shop and Guitar Repair — Wind Gap, PA My first choice for a valuable vintage acoustic. Dave and Rich have deep Martin experience—both came out of Martin, with Dave having spent 21 years in Martin’s repair department and Rich 15 years in production. They’re particularly known for serious restoration work on vintage Martins. Acoustic Guitar Forum The Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum Best for: pre-war/vintage Martin, significant cracks, structural restoration, neck resets, historically appropriate repairs.
• Finocchio Guitarworks — Easton, PA Very convenient if you're in the Lehigh Valley. Frank Finocchio has been making guitars since 1967, and the shop has a strong reputation for acoustic work. Best for: high-quality acoustic repair where you want an experienced individual luthier rather than a large repair department.
• Guitar Doctor — Reading, PA Mike Haney handles structural acoustic repairs including crack repair/cleating, brace work, bridge repairs and neck resets, and is an authorized Martin and Taylor repair center. Best for: cracks and other structural problems on Martin/Taylor and other acoustics.
• Mark Simon — Bridgewater, NJ A particularly interesting choice for historical/vintage restoration. Simon was formerly head of repair at Mandolin Brothers, and Martin has recommended him; testimonials specifically mention restoration of older Gibson and Martin instruments.
• Bucks County Folk Music Shop Their repair staff has extensive vintage-instrument experience, including pre-war Martin neck sets, authentic-looking bridge replicas, and expert crack repairs.

If it's a truly valuable vintage guitar

I'd narrow it to Brothers Music or Mark Simon, depending on the guitar and the nature of the crack. For a valuable pre-war Martin, I'd lean Brothers because of their Martin repair background.

Also, don't let a general repair shop simply glue the crack and refinish it. On a vintage instrument, the repair should preserve as much original wood, finish, bracing and evidence of originality as possible. The goal is usually stable, structurally correct and minimally invasive, not "looks brand new."

If you tell me the guitar's make, model, approximate year, and where the crack is (top, back, side, near bridge, etc.), I can narrow this down to the 2–3 luthiers I'd trust with that specific guitar and tell you what sort of repair you should expect.

When dealing with a crack in the body of a valuable or vintage acoustic guitar, you want someone who understands historical construction, hide glue, and the delicate art of cleating a top or back crack without destroying the instrument's finish, value, or acoustic integrity.

A few legendary individual luthiers and specialized restoration shops are widely considered the gold standard for vintage acoustic care in the United States:

Highly Regarded Vintage Acoustic Luthiers & Shops

T.J. Thompson Guitars 4.9 (9)
Musical instrument repair shop
CallWebsite Widely considered an absolute master and the premier authority on pre-war Martin guitars. If you have a golden-era Martin or high-end vintage flattop that needs a historically accurate, invisible restoration, TJ is legendary among top collectors and musicians.

Woodsong’s Lutherie 4.9 (146)
Musical instrument repair shop
Closed Boulder, CO
CallDirections Website Established in 1981, this shop houses a deep team of expert craftspeople who handle high-level vintage acoustic restoration, crack repair, and finish work with an extraordinary attention to detail.

Wood Street Guitar Repair 4.8 (64)
Musical instrument repair shop
Closed Oakland, CA
CallDirections Website Known heavily for elderly and vintage instrument restoration. Their team features deeply experienced hands like Lewis Santer, who has decades of specialized experience bringing vintage Martins and historical acoustics back to life.

Vintage Guitar Workshop 5.0 (87)
Guitar store
Closed Carlsbad, CA
CallDirections Website Highly trusted on the West Coast for complex acoustic repairs, structural crack stabilization, and neck resets on vintage flat-tops and archtops.

The Repair Zone 4.9 (255)
Musical instrument repair shop
Closed San Diego, CA
CallDirections Website Extensively experienced in vintage acoustic repair, specializing explicitly in cleating splits and cracks, brace repairs, and humidification recovery. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]

Community Experiences

To help narrow down the best choice for you:

• What brand, model, and year is the guitar?
• Where is the crack located (soundboard/top, back, or sides) and roughly how long is it?
• What state or region are you located in, and are you willing to ship the instrument?

T.J. Thompson, Dan Erlewine (historically/consulting), Greg Voros at Folk Epicenter , and TJ's Guitar Repair or dedicated authorized Martin/Gibson restoration shops are widely considered among the absolute masters for vintage acoustic guitar body crack repair and restoration.

When dealing with a crack in the body of a vintage acoustic instrument, structural integrity and preserving the original finish/patina are paramount. Top-tier vintage specialists typically stabilize wood cracks using traditional methods like hot hide glue and precision-fitted wood cleats to ensure the top remains level without choking the guitar's acoustic resonance.

Top Vintage Repair Specialists & Shops

• T.J. Thompson (New Hampshire): Widely regarded by collectors and historians as the definitive expert for pre-war Martin guitar restoration. His work on historical cracks, neck resets, and top replacements is legendary, though wait times can be extensive due to high demand.
• Greg Voros at Gruhn Guitars (Nashville, Tennessee): Gruhn's repair shop handles high-end vintage restorations for rare Martin, Gibson, and National guitars, specializing in seamless crack stabilization and finish touch-ups.
• Vintage Ax / Authorized Factory Restoration Centers: For specific vintage marques, sending the instrument to factory-authorized restoration departments (such as the official Martin Repair Shop in Nazareth, PA) guarantees access to period-correct bracing and woods.
• Local High-End Specialists: If you prefer working regionally, look for shops certified in traditional acoustic structural work (such as Dang Decent Guitar Repair for consultations or local specialized luthiers).

Watch a luthier discuss the delicate art of breathing new life into vintage instruments:

6:37 Inside a Vintage Guitar Workshop | This Old Guitar 1 year ago YouTube · Superdanger Studios

Immediate Steps for a Body Crack

1. Monitor Humidity: Keep the guitar in a stable environment between 45%–55% humidity. Dry wood shrinks and causes cracks to open further, while proper humidification can sometimes help the wood edges realign naturally.
2. Loosen the Strings: Ease the string tension immediately to relieve structural pulling pressure across the soundboard or back plate.
3. Avoid DIY Superglue: Do not apply standard consumer superglues or tape to the surface, as amateur adhesives permanently damage vintage finishes and make professional invisible repair much harder.

If you can share the brand and year of the guitar, as well as where the crack is located (e.g., top, back, side, or near the bridge), I can recommend a specialist specifically renowned for that brand.

• Bolin Guitars & Repair - 4021 N 36th St, Boise, ID 83703, United States
• Gates Guitar Repair - 512 Franklin Park Dr, Boise, ID 83709, United States
• The Better Fret Guitar Repair - Please Call For An Appointment, Boise, ID 83704, United States
• Robbins Guitar Company - 138 S Vandries Ave, Eagle, ID 83616, United States
• 12th Fret Music - 671 S Capitol Blvd, Boise, ID 83702, United States
• Eagle Guitar - 890 E Franklin Rd #201, Meridian, ID 83642, United States
• Dorsey Music, Boise - 5015 W State St, Boise, ID 83703, United States
• The Music Art Rock Consortium - 611 N Orchard St, Boise, ID 83706, United States
• Welch Music Center - 12516 Fairview Ave, Boise, ID 83713, United States
• Clark Fine Handcrafted Instruments - 2621 N Esquire Dr, Boise, ID 83704

If you're in the Boise/Treasure Valley area, there are several strong choices. For a vintage acoustic with a body crack, I’d favor a true luthier/restoration specialist over a general guitar-tech shop.

My top choices

• Bolin Guitars & Repair — My first call if the guitar is genuinely valuable or historically significant. Bolin does full repair and restoration work and has a long-standing reputation for high-end instruments. Their repair department specifically handles restoration, not just routine setups.
• Gates Guitar Repair — Excellent choice for a vintage acoustic. Tim Gates explicitly works on structural repairs and restoration, including acoustic work, neck resets and bridge repairs. Local Boise recommendations repeatedly praise his workmanship, including on cracked acoustic instruments.
• The Better Fret Guitar Repair — Austin Clark is a builder as well as a repairperson, with an international clientele and a reputation for careful, high-craft work. I'd definitely get an estimate here if the crack is on a valuable vintage instrument.
• Robbins Guitar Company — Particularly interesting for an acoustic because the shop specifically lists acoustic-guitar restoration and crack repairs among its services.
• 12th Fret Music — A good, convenient option for acoustic repair; they explicitly handle crack repairs, bridge work, bridge plates and neck resets. Local players also consistently recommend them for vintage-guitar work.

If it's a valuable vintage guitar

I'd get two opinions before authorizing anything, probably Bolin + Gates or Better Fret. With an old Martin, Gibson, Guild, etc., the method of crack repair matters almost as much as getting the crack closed. You want someone who will preserve the original wood, finish, bracing and evidence of the instrument's history rather than making it look cosmetically "new."

Also, don't put superglue or wood glue into the crack yourself. Keep the guitar appropriately humidified and under normal/light string tension until a luthier examines it.

If you tell me the make, model, approximate year, and where the crack is (top, back, side, near the bridge, along the neck joint, etc.), I can narrow this down to the best 2–3 luthiers for that specific repair and tell you what I'd expect the repair to involve.

• Neely Guitars LLC - 7424 1/2 Sunset Blvd #1, Los Angeles, CA 90046, United States
• Norman's Rare Guitars - 18969 Ventura Blvd, Tarzana, CA 91356, United States
• LA Guitar Repair - 13904 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423, United States
• Soest Guitar - Orange, CA 92866
• Gryphon Stringed Instruments - 211 Lambert Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94306, United States
• Amazing Grace Music - 91 Red Hill Ave, San Anselmo, CA 94960, United States
• Carmel Valley Guitar - 623b Lighthouse Ave, Monterey, CA 93940, United States
• Stringed Instrument Services - 127 E St Joseph St Unit 105, Arcadia, CA 91006, United States
• Ike's Guitars - 651 Clover St, Los Angeles, CA 90031, United States
• VEZ GUITAR ACADEMY - 34 W Main St, Alhambra, CA 91801, United States
• Marzz Guitarzz - 156 N Allen Ave, Pasadena, CA 91106
• John Wescott Guitar Repair - North Hollywood, CA 91602
• Nomadic Guitar Repairs And Lessons - 2575 N San Fernando Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90065, United States
• Bravo’s Custom Guitar Repair Shop - 11701 Washington Blvd, Whittier, CA 90606, United States
• Je Matt Guitar - 7699 9th St #107, Buena Park, CA 90621, United States
• Asken Guitars - 2521 South Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90034

For a crack in the body of a vintage acoustic guitar, you’ll want a luthier who does structural acoustic repair and vintage restoration, not just setups. The best choice depends a lot on your location and the guitar (Martin, Gibson, Guild, pre-war instrument, etc.), but these are highly regarded options:

Southern California / Los Angeles area

• Neely Guitars LLC — A strong choice for valuable or sentimental instruments; known for repair, restoration, and structural work on higher-end guitars.
• Norman's Rare Guitars — Their repair department specializes in vintage and high-value instruments, including structural restoration where preserving originality matters.
• LA Guitar Repair — A boutique repair shop handling vintage, restoration, finish, and structural work.
• Soest Guitar — Long-running shop with experience in vintage instruments, restoration, and evaluations of collectible guitars.

Northern / Central California

• Gryphon Stringed Instruments — Often recommended by vintage Martin and acoustic players for careful work on fine instruments.
• Amazing Grace Music — Home to master luthier John Pedersen, with decades of experience in restoration and complex repairs.
• Carmel Valley Guitar — A nearby option if you’re in the Monterey area; they specifically list acoustic crack repair, brace work, and vintage restoration services.

Before you hand it over

For a vintage acoustic, I’d ask:

• “Will you do the work yourself, or will it go to another tech?”
• “Will the repair preserve the original finish and glue methods?”
• “Do you have experience with pre-1970 Martins/Gibsons (if applicable)?”
• “Can you provide photos and an estimate before proceeding?”

Also, don’t put glue in the crack yourself—a well-intentioned repair can make a professional restoration much harder and reduce the instrument’s value.

If you tell me:

1. the brand/model/year of the guitar,
2. where the crack is (top, back, side, near bridge, along the grain, etc.), and
3. your city or how far you’re willing to travel,

I can narrow this down to the best few luthiers for that specific repair.

Dealing with a crack in the body of a vintage acoustic guitar is nerve-wracking, but high-end vintage repair is a specialized art form. For valuable or historically significant instruments, you want a luthier who uses traditional hot hide glue, makes precise grain-matched cleats, and understands the historical integrity of brands like Martin, Gibson, or Guild.

The premier workshops and luthiers renowned for vintage acoustic guitar restoration and crack repair include:

T.J. Thompson Manufacturer
Concord, MA
Directions Widely regarded as an absolute guru for pre-war Martin guitar restoration. His work on priceless vintage instruments (like historic 1930s D-18s) is legendary for its meticulous attention to historical detail and structural perfection.

Galloup Guitars / The Galloup School 4.9 (31)
Musical instrument manufacturer
Closed Big Rapids, MI
CallDirections Website Founded by master luthier Bryan Galloup, this shop took over Dan Erlewine's famous Guitar Hospital lineage. They combine state-of-the-art precision tech with world-class traditional vintage restoration expertise.

Gibson Repair and Restoration 4.5 (45)
Musical instrument repair shop
Closed Nashville, TN
CallDirections Website If you have a vintage Gibson flat-top or archtop, their dedicated factory restoration shop employs full-time master techs who specialize in reversing structural trauma, stabilizing top cracks, and matching aged nitrocellulose lacquers.

Woodsong’s Lutherie 4.9 (146)
Musical instrument repair shop
Closed Boulder, CO
CallDirections Website Highly recommended in the acoustic community for delicate structural crack repairs, bridge re-glues, and invisible finish touch-ups on vintage and high-end instruments.

To see how master craftsmen carefully humidify, align, and cleat a complex top crack on a historic pre-war acoustic without destroying its original finish, watch this detailed repair walkthrough:

8:13 In The Shop: Repairing Top Cracks on a 1937 Martin D-18 21K views  · 6 years ago YouTube · Elderly Instruments

Community Perspectives

When seeking out vintage acoustic work, guitar owners on forums and collector circles frequently emphasize the importance of reputation over convenience:

I had a major top crack on a valuable older acoustic and learned quickly that you don't just take a vintage piece to any local tech. Finding someone who specializes in hot hide glue and proper cleating is everything.

Be prepared to wait—the top-tier vintage guys have backlogs for a reason. They treat the instrument like a historical artifact rather than a piece of furniture.

If you'd like to narrow down your options, tell me:

• Where you are located (or if you are willing to ship the guitar)
• What brand/era the guitar is and where the crack is located (top, back, or side)

I can help you find a trusted specialist closer to your area or give you an idea of what questions to ask them.

• McDonald String Instrument and Guitar Workshop - 831 Pine Tree Rd, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444, United States
• Superior Guitar Works - 548 S Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington, PA 19034, United States
• Lattanze Guitars - 402 Ford St, Bridgeport, PA 19405, United States
• Old School Guitar Repair, Restoration & Lutherie - 95 Pennington - Hopewell Rd, Hopewell, NJ 08525, United States
• Braxton & Hyde Philadelphia Fretworks - 1901 S 9th St Rm 402, Philadelphia, PA 19148, United States
• Collingswood Music - 9 Lincoln Ave, Collingswood, NJ 08108, United States
• Arpeggio Music Stringed Instrument Repair Shop - 5248 Apache Ln, Drexel Hill, PA 19026, United States
• Braxton Guitars - 1901 S 9th St, Ste 503, Philadelphia, PA 19148
• DiPinto Guitars - 407 E Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125, United States
• Tonecrafte Luthiery: Guitar Repair & Modification - 501A Mercer St, Gloucester City, NJ 08030, United States
• Bluebond Guitars - 1524 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19102, United States
• Rick Emery's Mainline Music - 43 W Lancaster Ave, Ardmore, PA 19003, United States
• Glenside Instrument Repair - 164 S Keswick Ave, Glenside, PA 19038, United States
• A.East Musical Instruments - 709 Tree St, Philadelphia, PA 19148

If you’re in the Philadelphia area, I’d be selective about who touches a vintage acoustic with a body crack. For a valuable instrument, you want someone experienced with structural repairs and vintage-correct methods—not just a general guitar tech.

My top choices

• McDonald String Instrument and Guitar Workshop — Lafayette Hill, PA One of my strongest local picks for an acoustic crack. They specifically handle crack repair, brace repair, bridge work, and neck resets, including older instruments. Their work includes a 1970s Martin restoration.
• Superior Guitar Works — Fort Washington, PA Particularly worth considering if the guitar is high-value or genuinely vintage. They specialize in vintage restoration and high-end fretted-instrument repair.
• Bucks County Folk Music Shop — New Britain, PA This is a standout for vintage acoustic work. Their Sarah Dieterichs has been repairing instruments since the 1990s and has done neck resets on pre-war Martins, authentic-looking bridge reproductions, and crack repairs. They're also a Martin Authorized Warranty Service Center.
• Lattanze Guitars — Bridgeport, PA A small, craftsman-oriented lutherie shop that builds acoustic and archtop guitars as well as doing repair work. I'd consider them for an instrument where preserving the original construction and character matters.
• Old School Guitar Repair, Restoration & Lutherie — Hopewell, NJ A worthwhile option if you're willing to drive. They focus on restoration/lutherie and structural work, including neck resets and other vintage-oriented repairs.

If it's a Martin

I'd put C. F. Martin & Co.'s factory repair department in Nazareth very high on the list, especially if the guitar is a valuable pre-war or otherwise historically important Martin. Martin says its factory repair team handles everything from complex repairs to full historical restorations and has extensive experience restoring vintage Martins, including instruments from the 1800s.

There is also some particularly good regional word-of-mouth for Brothers Music in Wind Gap, PA; Martin enthusiasts report that its owners, Dave Strunk and Rich Eckhart, came out of Martin's guitar-building/repair operation and regularly work on old Martins and Gibsons.

One important caution

Don't glue or clamp the crack yourself, and don't let a general repair shop automatically refinish it. On a vintage acoustic, the goal is usually a structurally sound repair that is as invisible and minimally invasive as possible while preserving original finish, wood, and patina.

If you tell me the make, model, approximate year, and where the crack is (top, back, side, near the bridge, along the grain, etc.), I can narrow this down to the 2–3 luthiers I'd trust most for that particular guitar and tell you what the repair is likely to involve.

When dealing with a crack in the body of a vintage acoustic guitar, finding the right luthier is critical. Improper repair techniques or non-period-correct glues can permanently hurt the structural integrity and investment value of a vintage instrument (like a pre-war Martin or Gibson).

The top-tier, highly revered experts and shops specializing in vintage acoustic guitar restoration and crack repair include:

• T.J. Thompson (West Concord, Massachusetts): Widely considered the gold standard and absolute master for vintage acoustic guitar restoration—particularly pre-war C.F. Martin flattops. His meticulous repair methods and specialized crack-repair and top-flattening tools are adopted by luthiers worldwide, though his waitlist can be long due to his legendary status.
• Kovacik Guitars and Fretted Instrument Repair (Ohio): Run by Steven Kovacik, this shop is an authorized C.F. Martin Warranty Repair Service and specializes in heavy-duty structural vintage restorations, top crack repairs, and authentic period-correct concealments.
• Cathedral Guitar / Vintage Luthier Specialists: Many regional high-end operations focus strictly on hot hide glue, precision cleating, and humidity stabilization before ever touching a crack.
• Local Authorized Factory Shops: If your guitar is a vintage Martin, Gibson, or Guild, checking the manufacturer's official vintage/authorized repair network first can ensure you retain factory-backed handling protocols.

Watch how master luthier T.J. Thompson’s specialized tools are used to precisely repair top cracks without compromising the instrument:

4:58 TJ Thompson Top Crack Repair Video 100K views  · 3 years ago StewMac · StewMac

If you'd like more tailored advice, tell me:

• What brand and model is the guitar?
• Where is the crack located (soundboard/top, back, or ribs) and roughly how long is it?

I can help you understand what kind of restoration approach it might need.

When dealing with a crack in the body of a valuable or vintage acoustic guitar, you want a specialized luthier who understands historical construction, hide glue, and period-correct stabilization (cleating and humidification) rather than a general tech who mostly adjusts electric action.

Some of the most respected shops and legendary names renowned for vintage acoustic restoration and structural crack repairs include:

Gruhn Guitars 4.8 (1.1K)
Guitar store
Closed Nashville, TN
CallDirections Website World-famous for vintage instrument evaluation and dealing, their in-house repair and restoration shop handles historical treasures (Pre-war Martins, Gibsons) with museum-grade precision.

Elderly Instruments 4.7 (611)
Musical instrument store
Closed Lansing, MI
CallDirections Website A legendary institution for acoustic enthusiasts. Their repair shop is globally trusted for vintage restorations, neck resets, and invisible crack/brace repairs.

Wood Street Guitar Repair 4.8 (65)
Musical instrument repair shop
Closed Oakland, CA
CallDirections Website A stellar co-op of veteran luthiers (including Lewis Santer) known for elderly/vintage instrument restoration and acting as an authorized Martin warranty service center.[1]

Guitar Quackery 5.0 (88)
Musical instrument repair shop
Closed New York, NY
CallDirections Website Located in Midtown Manhattan , master builder Igor handles intricate, high-end acoustic structural work, including tedious top and bridge crack restorations on vintage flat-tops.[1]

To help me narrow down who might be the absolute best fit for your specific situation, could you tell me:

• What brand and model is the guitar?
• Where is the crack located (soundboard/top, back, or sides) and approximately how long is it?
• Do you prefer a luthier local to your region or are you willing to ship the instrument?

For a vintage acoustic guitar with a body crack, I’d look for a luthier who specializes in vintage Martin/Gibson-style instruments, hide-glue work, finish touch-up, and structural crack repair—not just a general setup tech. The “best” choice depends on the guitar’s age, maker, value, and where you live, but these names are widely respected among vintage acoustic players:

Top-tier vintage acoustic repair specialists

• TJ Thompson — Often considered one of the premier vintage acoustic restoration experts, especially for pre-war Martins and historically accurate repairs. Excellent choice for a rare or high-value instrument.
• David Musselwhite — A highly regarded Martin specialist with deep experience in vintage repairs and restorations.
• Xpert Guitar Repair — Known among vintage Martin owners for careful restoration work and crack repairs.
• John Arnold — A respected name for historically sensitive vintage acoustic restoration.
• Steve Kovacik — Frequently recommended by vintage acoustic owners for Martin and Gibson restoration work.

Manufacturer-level options

• If it’s a Martin, the C. F. Martin & Co., Inc. repair department is a strong option, especially for valuable Martins where factory knowledge matters. Martin offers factory repairs and a network of authorized service centers.
• If it’s a Gibson acoustic, Gibson’s repair and restoration department handles structural repairs, restorations, and vintage instruments.

What to ask before sending it in

For a body crack, I’d ask:

1. Have you repaired vintage acoustic top/back/side cracks before?
2. Will you use hide glue if appropriate?
3. Will the crack be cleated internally, and if so, with what material?
4. Will you preserve the original finish rather than overspray?
5. Can you provide photos of similar repairs?

Avoid shops that immediately suggest refinishing, heavy sanding, or replacing original parts on a collectible guitar.

If you tell me:

• the brand/model/year (e.g., 1940 Martin D-18, 1968 Gibson J-45, etc.),
• where the crack is (top, back, side, near bridge, along the seam),
• and your city/state,

I can narrow this down to the best repair people for that specific instrument.