Cleaning up an old Gibson guitar

[Kevin in California]

Hey Guys.
I've not been too active here lately lots of other stuff going on, but I am still alive and about ready to start my next guitar finally.
But, Sunday a friend asked me to "restore" her fathers (he just passed away age 95) guitar. I said I'd take a look at it.
Turns out is is a 1935 Gibson L-10, and my research tells me it is a transitional model with a change in the headstock and fretboard inlays being different.
They only made the L-10 model for about 6 years, and this one in this configuration apparently only in 1935.
Anyway, it is in pretty good shape for being this old, and will be playable. I told her that if she is concerned in maintaining the value of the guitar, we did not want to change anything that didn't need to be changed to make it playable
She doesn't play and wants to display it, but she wants it to be playable. I've convinced her we don't want to refinish the guitar, just clean it up, replace the tuners, new strings pretty much it. It does appear to have a more recent bridge but I'd say it pretty close to
original in style.
The one think she would like done is a repair. The back place is separating at the joint. Not a huge gap, just like the glue gave out, and it is only in the middle to lower end of the back. I'm thinking I can weep some CA in there and it will secure the separation,
but wondering if I should try a little bit of clamping pressure to bring it in tight; if there is enough flex in the sides to allow for this.

If any one has fixed an archtop guitar in this way or has some ideas I'd sure appreciate the help. I know Robbie does restorations in his shop on old guitars all the time.
I just got this guitar Sunday and only snapped this one picture of the front, but I will put on close ups of the back and there is a broken binding spot too that looks like it has been reglued with.
Not a project I was expecting, but should be fun. It is a pretty cool guitar for sure. I asked her if she wanted to sell it.....she does not!

Thanks guys

Kevin

[Tim Benware]

I've reglued a number of backs on guitars of that type Kevin. I don't use CA, I use fish glue. Fish glue has a great open time and cleans up easily with warm water and a damp paper towel. I either work the glue into the seam with a palette knife or spread some glue across the separation and work/force it into the seam with my finger or a small suction cup. I then gently clamp the area and let it dry over night. As I said any glue clean up is easily done with warm water and a damp paper towel.

[Kevin in California]

Tim, I have a bottle of fish glue that is about 2 years old. Is it still going to be good to use?
What is the best way to finish over that repair do you think. I would imagine this guitar is nitro lacquer. It does have the original finish on it.

[Tim Benware]

I would say the glue is OK. Mine is older and still going strong, I keep it in a cool location. As far as finish goes, many times I just glue up and call it good. If it really needs some lacquer I air brush some on after I have taped off for over spray.

[John Parchem]

I am with Tim do not use CA, fish glue is fine or hot hide glue. Both are reversible fixes, that is a restorer can take the instrument back to the same condition you got it.

If you need the seam to close you might try a higher humidity environment for a week or so to swell the instrument possibly closing the separation.

[Kevin in California]

That is a good idea on closing the gap John

[Herman]

Lovely guitar kevin.
I would go with Tim and John, as I am a great fan of fish glue. Great working time, sticks like hell, dries clear and is easy to remove. It won't affect the finish.
Good luck on this one.
Herman