Disaster I think

[rocket]

Just putting final coats on this commissioned archtop and discovered some faults in the grain( cracks) in the top, running from upper bout toward the bass F hole, think I know what I need to do now but I am willing to listen to anybody’s alternatives.

Shots are taken with phone on zoom so looks worse , actually isn’t that obvious but when you know it’s there it’s easy to see.

Cheers Rod

[kiwigeo]

Hard to say from the pics. They look a bit like pitch pockets to me. I know Queensland Maple often has similar "defects" which from a distance look like cracks but they aren't. Here are some pitch pockets in some cherry:

CherryPitch.jpg (89.14 KiB) Viewed 6506 times

[johnparchem]

I could not see that it was cracking the finish. If it was cracking at all the finish would be cracked. I just had a very figured cocobolo back this did move not even crack on a grain line and it open a finish crack. I refinished but told the owner that the finish my crack there again.

[blackalex1952]

How annoying after the amount of work the guitar represents!..I would stabilise with cleats behind, pitch pockets or not, the soundboard is obviously weaker. Then make sure that the voids are filled and sealed....a little cosmetic work to possibly disguise the checks and continue onward and upward!!!Cheers, Ross

[rocket]

Thanks for all the helpful encouraging opinions, i may have gone off half cocked thinking it a crack or split i think the main issue is that pitch pocket looks different under lacquer than the adjacent material, maybe some shellac along the area will help!

Cheers

Rod.