Busted guitar top, how to fix?

Question

all. I am new to this exchange.

I recently bought a 7 string Cort guitar with a busted top (for cheap). I am hoping to repair back to playable condition. It is in good condition except what you see in the photos. Any ideas on the best way to repair? Should I just give it up?

I can do the electrical work (which is still functional). It's just the body damage. I would like to get repaired. If I reconstruct the body (glue what I can and fill the rest with wood putty), it would work but be very ugly. I am afraid I would have to paint the entire thing if I did the work myself.

Another option I considered is to just put a pickguard on the front. I would probably have to make a custom one.

Any thoughts?

Answer 1

This is a relatively simple repair if you don't mind that the guitar doesn't end up looking the same as it did new:

1. Drill out the damaged parts of the wood.
2. Add a pickguard with the slot for the switch in the same position and the holes for the potentiometers in approximately the same positions. If you can't find a standard product that matches, you will have to make one (or have one made) from blank pickguard material (probably black for this instrument). If well made, it will look like it was meant to be there from the start. A custom one could cover as much or as little of the body as you like, as long as it covers the damaged areas.

Some guitars (e.g. my Danelectro baritone) already have the electronics cavity open to both top and bottom of the instrument like this, enclosed by the pickguard on top and a cover on bottom.

Answer 2

I think Theodore’s answer of a custom pick guard is a good one but I have another idea that I think would also work. Maybe you can get two large washers similar to the ones used for the pickup switch on a Les Paul to attach over the holes and mount the pots on them. Find a diameter that covers the holes. This way more of the original finish would be visible. They can be the same color as the knobs or a contrasting color, say silver and black.

Answer 3

By far the simplest will be a pickguard. It can be whatever shape and size you think fit, and colour and material will be choices too. The damaged area looks pretty flat, but if the pickguard needed to go close to the edge, it could have a spacer under it at the point it gets screwed onto the body.

The existing holes could then be opened up to allow the body of the pots and switch to fit easily, all of which I guess is accesible from the back. You could even move the switch and pots if needed, with any extra holes made then covered by the pickguard.

At the same time, maybe consider some alterations to the controls - phase switching, tandem pots, etc. With those pups there will be many options, and another switch or pot won't go amiss, surely?

Consider either leaving the damage, or filling it in - there may be some gain to the tone one way or the other - albeit minimal.

To keep it as original as possible, John's idea of washers is the best - maybe carefully routing out enough depth for them - otherwise you'll end up painting at least the top of the guitar.