Acoustic Crack, Bridge Reglue and Headstock Repair in Manhattan
Radiator heat is hard on acoustic guitars. Every winter we see tops that have cracked along the grain, bridges lifting at the back edge, and the occasional headstock that met a doorframe. All of it is repairable, and as a Martin Authorized Warranty Service Center we do this work to factory standards.
Crack repair
A top or side crack is glued and cleated from inside, then closed up at $60 per inch with a 3 inch minimum. The sooner it comes in, the cleaner it closes: a fresh crack still lines up, an old one has to be humidified back together first. Finish touch-up over the repair is quoted separately.
Bridge reglue
If you can slide a piece of paper under the back of the bridge, it's lifting, and the top is about to belly. A bridge reglue on a standard steel-string is $385: remove, clean both surfaces to bare wood, reglue and clamp with the right cauls, then restring and set the action. If the bridge has pulled up a chunk of top, we'll quote the extra.
Headstock reglue
A snapped headstock on a Gibson-style mahogany neck is one of the most common repairs in the city and one of the most repairable. From $525, we glue and clamp the break, reinforce it if the grain calls for it, and set the guitar up. Finish work over the break is quoted after we see it.
Binding
Loose or missing binding is repaired per zone (upper bout, lower bout, side, bottom): from $125 single-ply, $165 two-piece, $200 three-piece. New material, finish blending and cleats are extra.
Prices
| Crack RepairPer inch, 3 inch minimum | $60 / inch |
|---|---|
| Bridge ReglueStandard steel-string | $385 |
| Headstock ReglueBase price, quoted after inspection | from $525 |
| Binding Repair, Single-plyPer zone | from $125 |
| Binding Repair, 2-piecePer zone | from $165 |
| Binding Repair, 3-piecePer zone | from $200 |
| Bridge Shaving or ThinningAcoustic action solution | $180 |
See the full repair and setup menu for everything else we do.
Structural work takes 1 to 2 weeks because glue needs cure time between steps. Every job is play-tested before pickup. Prices are labor; materials are extra.
Get a free quote
Common questions
- How much does it cost to fix a crack in an acoustic guitar?
- At Brothers Guitar Shop crack repair is $60 per inch of crack with a 3 inch minimum, so a typical 4 inch top crack is $240 labor plus any finish touch-up.
- How much is a bridge reglue?
- $385 for a standard steel-string acoustic, including restring and action check.
- Can a broken headstock be fixed?
- Almost always. Headstock reglues start at $525 and are quoted after we inspect the break. A clean glue joint on mahogany is as strong as the original wood.
- Are you a Martin authorized repair shop?
- Yes. Brothers Guitar Shop is a Martin Authorized Warranty Service Center with Martin-certified technicians. We handle warranty and non-warranty Martin work.
- How do I stop my guitar cracking in winter?
- Keep it in the case with a humidifier from November to April. Apartment radiators drop indoor humidity below 20 percent, which is what cracks tops and lifts bridges.