Cracked Guitar Body

[ledhead420]

Hey guys. I recently did a swirl on my guitar and when i was finished I noticed severe cracking in the guitar even with wax in the holes. I think it was caused because of the dry climate here in Colorado. There are many cracks in the guitar and I am planning on finishing it. But what will those cracks do to my sound and what can I do to repair or maintain these cracks to prevent further problems? I filled a few of the cracks with elmers wood glue. Here some pics of the guitar.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c358/IbanezJunkie/SwirlRG0 15.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c358/IbanezJunkie/SwirlRG0 16.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c358/IbanezJunkie/SwirlRG0 24.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c358/IbanezJunkie/SwirlRG0 25.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c358/IbanezJunkie/SwirlRG0 23.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c358/Iba.../SwirlRG020.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c358/Iba.../SwirlRG021.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c358/Iba.../SwirlRG022.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c358/Iba.../SwirlRG017.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c358/Iba.../SwirlRG011.jpg

[wolfcoast]

At first glance, looking in the routed sections, it looks like they didn't get a good coat of paint on them. I can see what appears to be wood color which means it's not completely painted. IIRC for a swirl body, there can be NO wood that is unpainted/unsealed or you can get cracking.

[ledhead420]

well i can assure you there was not a spot of wood shown on this body. I have done about 50 coats of paint of multiple primers, sealers, solid colors, and the swirl.

[thegarehanman]

A damn shame too, I really love that swirl, one of my favorites by far.

[erikbojerik]

I have done about 50 coats of paint of multiple primers, sealers, solid colors, and the swirl.

Are you sure the cracks are through the finish and into the wood? Or maybe just through the finish?

[ledhead420]

they are definetly into the wood. But not far. I think the deepest crack is only a few cm into the surface. I am going to finish this one out and set it all up and see what it sounds like. If the cracks really alter the sound then i must start a new project body =[.

[RAI6]

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c358/Iba.../SwirlRG023.jpg

That looks like raw wood in the neck pocket.....

[wolfcoast]

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c358/Iba.../SwirlRG022.jpg

This one looks like it has a lot at the rear of the hole.

[WezV]

It seems like most of the cracks are coming from screw holes, which may suggest these were not sealed enough. . . possibly

I think if i was doing a swirl i would look at waiting till the guitar had been dipped before drilling any holes.

those cracks around the neck pocket and neck ferrule holes would really worry me,

It really is a very nice swirl!

[ledhead420]

Well yeah it definetly is a shame. I was told that If the neck pocket was not raw wood than the neck wouldn't fit on right. Well it sure as hell isn't gonna fit right now... I probably will just buy a new body and try it again...

[Ben]

A damn shame too, I really love that swirl, one of my favorites by far.

Seconded

Its rare that I like swirl finishes, but this one is awesome

[ledhead420]

thanks man. It really sucks that I gotta start over though =[

[ledhead420]

does anyone know what the cracks will do to the sound, or what will happen to them over time?