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Shave the bridge, or reset the neck??
http://www-.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=47491		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Greg Maxwell [ Mon Mar 21, 2016 8:49 am ]
Post subject:  Shave the bridge, or reset the neck??
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LOL, I can't make this stuff up! This was brought in to me to see "if I could do anything with it." I salvage useless instruments like this for a group of special needs kids. All they care about is that it can make noise. I've did 5 or 6 of them last year and the kids love them. I'm sure I can "remove the bridge" on this thing and replace it with something a bit more realistic looking that will hold strings.

The really sad thing is, this used to be a fine instrument... after all it is completely hand made. laughing6-hehe

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Author:  Bobby M [ Mon Mar 21, 2016 8:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Shave the bridge, or reset the neck??
I would at least sand the bridge to prevent splinters...
Author:  giltzow [ Mon Mar 21, 2016 10:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Shave the bridge, or reset the neck??
Good for you Greg - Donating your time to get kids playable guitars is awesome! Thanks. I'm in the 'bigger is better' camp and that bridge is the best. Should have enough mass to get that top really vibrating.
Author:  Heath Blair [ Mon Mar 21, 2016 10:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Shave the bridge, or reset the neck??
How Bazaar.
Author:  David Collins [ Mon Mar 21, 2016 10:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Shave the bridge, or reset the neck??
Definitely a neck reset. I wouldn't want to do anything to that bridge which may affect the voicing.
Author:  Alex Kleon [ Mon Mar 21, 2016 11:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Shave the bridge, or reset the neck??
Lose the washers, Greg. They are major tone killers.

Alex
Author:  kencierp [ Mon Mar 21, 2016 12:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shave the bridge, or reset the neck??
Pretty sure that is one of those 41" Asian guitars about $120 I do believe somebody's 'hands" were on it at one time in the factory. Austin Bazaar is an importer/retailer
Author:  david farmer [ Mon Mar 21, 2016 12:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shave the bridge, or reset the neck??
If your concerned with preserving originality Greg, I can send you a piece of nice clear pine without that ugly knot in the corner.
Author:  Imbler [ Mon Mar 21, 2016 12:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shave the bridge, or reset the neck??
I don't know why they put so much craftsmanship into that bridge without at least using pressure treated pine so it would last longer,
Mike
Author:  SteveSmith [ Mon Mar 21, 2016 1:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Shave the bridge, or reset the neck??
Funniest thing I've seen this week LOL
Author:  mcgr40 [ Mon Mar 21, 2016 2:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shave the bridge, or reset the neck??
Should have used a harder wood for the bridge, a couple string changes and that bridge will wear prematurely. Still, I do like the adjustable nature afforded by this design.
Author:  Clay S. [ Mon Mar 21, 2016 4:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shave the bridge, or reset the neck??
Remember - The tone is in the wood (and it can't get out).
Author:  david farmer [ Mon Mar 21, 2016 5:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shave the bridge, or reset the neck??
By the way, before posting another question like this, You might do a search of the archives first. If you had bothered, you would have seen this subject has been covered in numerous threads before and you'd have already learned that shaving bridges is considered a BIG no no any more.
Author:  Hesh [ Tue Mar 22, 2016 5:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Shave the bridge, or reset the neck??
I like it and it would be great in a bar fight! Love black guitars too..:)
Author:  Pwoolson [ Tue Mar 22, 2016 8:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Shave the bridge, or reset the neck??
Funny, when I first saw this I thought is was your caul for clamping the bridge. I thought, "how brilliant to put a set of old pins in it for holding it in place while clamping the bridge." But wait a minute, there is no bridge under there. Wait...what the...
Now, for the first time in my life, I've got no words. idunno
Author:  Don Williams [ Wed Mar 23, 2016 11:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Shave the bridge, or reset the neck??
I mean, what's wrong with this one? It seems to be held on securely enough...
Author:  rlrhett [ Wed Mar 23, 2016 11:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Shave the bridge, or reset the neck??
I think the brilliance in this is the deep understanding of the properties of wood. Some may have noticed that this bridge is slightly oversized. However, the builder sourced wood that was far less dense than your typical choices of Brazilian Rosewood or Ebony. Then he or she developed a novel bridge arrangement to further maximize the unique qualities of the bridge.

How many of us just cut the same bridge over and over again with no awareness of the unique properties of the wood we are working?

It's humbling to see true masters at work.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Author:  Bryan Bear [ Thu Mar 24, 2016 12:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shave the bridge, or reset the neck??
Normally I would never choose shaving the bridge over resetting the neck but in this case I might (if the action is close). My reasoning is that whoever put the new bridge on, didn't do a 100% clean job of rebating the endge of the underside of the bridge. If you look closely at the photos, you'll notice that the replacement bridge is slightly oversized but you can see a slight gap over the overhanging section of the bridge (the part over the finish). I think scraping the underside of the bridge is needed to get the edges closer to the finish and this may get you in the ball park anyway. I'd probably remove a little more finish while I was at it. The overhanging part of the bridge seems a bit too large to me. If you are refitting the bridge anyway you might as well get some more gluing surface area. With luck you might not need those bolts anymore.
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