Repairing a Cracked German Spruce Top?

[Hucbald]

I have a pair of 1979 Anthony Gaillard Murray classical guitars. One Tony made for me back in '79 and the other I found on the 'net a few years ago. My original Murray has a french polished top that always seemed frighteningly thin to me. The one I aquired later has a lacquer finish and seems much sturdier (It also has the most outrageously over-the-top bearclaw in the grain that I've ever seen on a guitar). So, the original is about twice as loud as the later one, but seems so fragile I never take it anywhere. Well, wouldn't you know it, I was on an extended business trip one winter and my condo got ridiculously dry and the top cracked. The cracks are very thin, and once I rehydrated the guitar with a humidifier, they almost disappeared. They run the entire length of the top, one just above the saddle, and the other just below. Strangely, the sound of the instrument seems TOTALLY UNAFFECTED. I've never had this issue with any of my guitars before, and I don't even know what the repair process for this situation is. I now live in a ridiculously remote area and am wondering who does the best work of this type? I'm four hundred miles west of San Antonio, Texas, and 600 miles from Houston (I remember a real nice classical guitar shop in Houston from when I attended a Pepe Romero Masterclass there back in the 70's, but the name escapes me). Anyone have any ideas?

TIA,

Hucbald

[MWA]

I also would be at a loss for a repairman in my area I would trust with this type repair. HOwever, I would Call R.E. Brune 847/864-7730 in Evanston IL. I know his work only through articles in American Lutherie (Journal of the Guild of American Luthiers) but he seems to have a good reputation for not only construction but restoration.

[keith]

one luthier with a world class reputation who resides in texas that rings a bell for me is tom blackshear. he resides in san antonio. here is his website:

http://tguitars.home.texas.net/Web%20frame%20opening.htm

i suspect he may be of help to you--either repairing it or directing you to someone he knows.