problem

[cecile]

My beautiful Larrivée guitar has a big crack on it side. I did not banged it. She is 7 years old, and I always took real good care of it.  Anybody had a similar problem? What should I do?
Cécile

[ducktrapper]

Unless it's a dreaded key crack caused by ... keys (or the like) in pocket it's likely a drying out problem. When did you first notice it? What's the humidity where you keep this guitar? Anyway, contact Larrivée customer service. It can be made as good as new but you need to control humidity. Best wishes on it.

[Roman]

What Duck said . . .

[flatlander]

Unless it's a dreaded key crack caused by ... keys (or the like) in pocket it's likely a drying out problem. 

I must admit I'd never heard of the "key crack" issue until it has been mentioned here a couple times. Luckily I've always taken everything out of my pockets anyway, because I just don't like the feel of the guitar pressing on something hard. I used to take my belt off always as well until my friend pointed out a few years ago that our guitars didn't stand a chance of touching our belt with our older guts!

[ducktrapper]

I must admit I'd never heard of the "key crack" issue until it has been mentioned here a couple times. Luckily I've always taken everything out of my pockets anyway, because I just don't like the feel of the guitar pressing on something hard. I used to take my belt off always as well until my friend pointed out a few years ago that our guitars didn't stand a chance of touching our belt with our older guts!

Good One!   
I've always assumed that you would have to bring the guitar down very hard onto your lap in order for the keys to cause a crack. That it's not caused by just holding the guitar on your lap against something in the pocket. Anyone?

[Danny]

Good One!   
I've always assumed that you would have to bring the guitar down very hard onto your lap in order for the keys to cause a crack. That it's not caused by just holding the guitar on your lap against something in the pocket. Anyone?

If one of the keys was pointed sharp end up

[jeremy3220]

Good One!   
I've always assumed that you would have to bring the guitar down very hard onto your lap in order for the keys to cause a crack. That it's not caused by just holding the guitar on your lap against something in the pocket. Anyone?

I don't think just resting it on something in your pocket would crack the sides. If it does you probably should be more worried about something else next to your pocket. The sides are thin though, .080" - .095" and Larrivee doesn't use side reinforcement braces.

[Cowgirlie]

Dried out....or it did got banged

[drathbun]

Solid wood b/s split along the grain easily compared to laminate b/s. You'd be surprised at how easily. You might not even notice it until it starts to grow with the movement of the wood through the seasons.

The Insidious Key Crack

[Danny]

Solid wood b/s split along the grain easily compared to laminate b/s. You'd be surprised at how easily. You might not even notice it until it starts to grow with the movement of the wood through the seasons.

The Insidious Key Crack

Nice link

[ducktrapper]

Frets.com and Frank Ford knows all! Still a little unclear if or how easily it will crack just resting on your lap and pocket. Doesn't much matter to me. I keep nothing in my pockets but large bills.