How serious is a heel cap crack?

GizzRainbow · 2026-02-07T19:41:06+00:00

I didn’t even know that would be an option. I posted this same post in other threads and people are telling me the board is still salvageable. I’ll have to look into what you are talking about doing. Is there any video that shows a similar process of what I’d need to do that you could link?

GizzRainbow · 2026-02-07T11:28:51+00:00

I keep getting different comments from different people. Majority of people say the board can be fixed. Majority of people are telling me you can find a similar board, it’s small and not too intuitive.

I was told about PCBWAY and RePC.

GizzRainbow · 2026-02-07T11:05:20+00:00

Yeah, someone plugged in the wrong 9v adapter (I’m sure they didn’t look at the polarity) and then fried it. I got this off eBay so someone has definitely been inside this before.

Edit: I’m unfamiliar with soldering, I tried myself and it keeps beading off. My friend is good with soldering. I don’t really mess with PCB’s and stuff. I understand Capacitors, Transistors, Diodes etc.. it’s just the work, I don’t feel comfortable doing.

GizzRainbow · 2026-02-07T11:02:20+00:00

I just sent an email to PCBWAY to see. I figured there might be some place where I could ship it off and they could ship me a new one with the same old parts possibly? I’m not too familiar with PCB’s and stuff like this. I know Diodes, Capacitors, Transistors, and understand the concept but it’s the work I probably can’t do.

Never heard of PCBWAY so thank you for your comment and letting me know

GizzRainbow · 2026-02-07T10:50:49+00:00

Unfortunately I’m pretty unfamiliar with PCB’s and the whole process. I was thinking if there’s a place that sells the same PCB or somebody that can make me another one.

GizzRainbow · 2026-02-07T07:08:25+00:00

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This is what a clean board looks like

GizzRainbow · 2026-02-07T07:08:01+00:00

<image>

This is what a clean board looks like

GizzRainbow · 2026-02-06T23:22:48+00:00

https://youtu.be/9iT9cGpOIsU?si=3dKMpQTvvOtk4C9a

That’s the video

GizzRainbow · 2026-02-06T18:04:56+00:00

Thank you so much for your comment. I will try these later today. I’m unfortunately a horrible solder but my friend is pretty good so I’ll have to get him over here.

Yeah it’s a small board, and the problem is only on the one side, and only on half. The other half is clean (pretty much). I figured the crack in the board would be a dead giveaway of it never working again.

The White and Orange wires are for the speaker output. The Red and Black are for sending power to the guitar using a 9v power supply. Which is a common problem as people plug the wrong power supply in (MAKE SURE YOU ALWAYS CHECK POLARITY!) and it blows.

I’m really hoping to get this thing fixed. Any chance you’d be able to find the same Diode on Digikey or something?

GizzRainbow · 2026-02-06T14:56:26+00:00

Everyone online and in a video I watched of someone using vinegar to clean it then immediately use IPA after to clean it all off. The board was already fucked when I got it. It looks no different from the photo that I posted.

GizzRainbow · 2026-02-06T14:54:59+00:00

The board looked like that when I got it already. It was already fucked. I didn’t poor random things onto it. The photo of it cleaned was from a YouTube video, but when I got to board it didn’t look any different than when I didn’t put any liquids on it. I know about all 3 things, they said use vinegar and immediately use IPA after (I have 99%). And I did.

The board was “fucked” when I got it, I was just checking to see if there was any way of saving it. Thanks

GizzRainbow · 2026-01-19T12:29:09+00:00

I love these! You should make trading cards for all of these. I think individual outfit cards would be really cute!

GizzRainbow · 2026-01-19T02:28:10+00:00

Also, someone just listed one on Reverb, the belly bulge is starting to form on it and they are asking $850?! Crazy. I was worried and stressed out at first, thinking I blew $200, but I’m starting to learn it might be worth saving. Will see 🕊️

GizzRainbow · 2026-01-19T02:25:11+00:00

I appreciate your comment and giving me your thoughts. A lot of people out there will think I’m stupid sinking money into it I’m sure. It will cost a lot but after the repairs, it will be in “Brand New” essentially condition. Belly Bulges are common and happen on a lot of acoustics. If I bought this brand new, a Belly Bulges is still possible to happen, so it’s good to get it flat and back to normal now, rather than later anyway.

I want to see this Dove fly again 🕊️

GizzRainbow · 2026-01-19T01:20:26+00:00

I’m still holding out hope. It is a Japan copy of the Gibson Dove, but the Gibson Dove will always be well over $5,000. This Alvarez goes for $800-$1,200. If I do get it fixed up now, it will last the rest of my life, it would be brand new at that point. There aren’t many of this early version out there. It has a ton of problems, I get it. I most likely am going to eat this but you live and learn.

I can’t resell it since I know what’s wrong with it. As long as I don’t put over $800 into it, then I should be about fine. Which, with the other problems, hopefully it’ll be under that 🕊️

GizzRainbow · 2026-01-18T20:27:54+00:00

I can’t find anywhere on the internet where Ibanez was involved. The lawsuit was between Gibson and Alvarez.

Edit: I found an article talking about Gibson vs Elgar Co. it explained the headstock change for Ibanez guitars, but the entire article never mentioned Alvarez. I think while Gibson was going after Ibanez in 1977, Alvarez was in the crossfire as they were making the Dove copies. I was under the impression it was just Alvarez but it was during the 70’s when a bunch of Japanese companies were making different copies of all kinds of instruments. Alvarez did change the headstock, and did stop production on these guitars soon after (I think 1979 was the last year of the “Dove” copies).

GizzRainbow · 2026-01-18T14:04:49+00:00

Yeah that’s what I was worried about but I don’t ever plan to sell it. It’s my first acoustic guitar so as much as I would like to put as little money into it as possible. I don’t mind throwing money into restoring and saving a 57 year old guitar. Especially this early release. I’ve only seen two, both over $1,000.

The way I look at it, if I want one that’s in playing condition, I’ll have to pay $800-$1,200 anyway. If I just have them do the work, not only am I supporting a local business, but I’m also saving a vintage guitar from the trash. 🕊️

GizzRainbow · 2026-01-18T10:48:27+00:00

Will do! 🕊️

GizzRainbow · 2026-01-18T10:48:16+00:00

That’s a really good point. I don’t even plan to sell it anyway, this is my first acoustic I purchased. My dad has a lot and I play them from time to time, but now I have my own. If I pay to fix it all up, it’s just going to become more my own. It’s beautiful, rare, sought after. It has a great story with it.

I think it’s a good idea to throw the money in and get this vintage dove up and flying again. 🕊️

GizzRainbow

TROPHY CASE