What Is The Best Glue For Guitar Bridge Repair

Acoustic Bridge Removal and Reglue

What Is The Guitar Bridge?

The bridge truly is the eye of an acoustic guitar. Typically made from a piece of wood such as ebony or rosewood, information technology is glued to the guitar's top, where it serves several critical functions.

The bridge provides a firm anchor point for the guitar strings to attach, so that they can exist wound to tension by the tuning machines at the other stop of the musical instrument.
Its attachment to the acme permits transmission of the vibration of the strings, amplifying the sound, and creating the tone that nosotros all love to hear.
The location of the span pin holes, together with the nut, controls the instrument's string spacing.
Working together with and supporting the saddle, it helps to determine the instrument'due south action and intonation.

What Causes Audio-visual Guitar Bridges To Elevator?

When strung to pitch in standard tuning, a set of light gauge acoustic guitar strings exert well-nigh 160lbs worth of tension upon the musical instrument. Since the strings are attached to the span, this pulling force is partially transferred to it. If there is any weakness in the glue joint connecting the span to the pinnacle, information technology tin fail.

Though there are many factors that contribute to why a span may elevator, in our experience, improper humidity care is often a leading cause or a contributing element.

When Does A Lifting Bridge Become A Problem?

Except in rare cases, a bridge does not typically pull completely off of an musical instrument without warning. Usually, they kickoff to lift slowly along the back edge and pitter-patter further over time.

While a small lift may non seem like a big deal at first, information technology tin can potentially affect the volume and tone of the musical instrument. If left unchecked, it may eventually warp the summit, or progress to the betoken of complete bridge failure.

The span pictured is from a Taylor 914CE that came into the shop for warranty service. A business bill of fare fits pretty far underneath the bass side corner. It was the same on the treble side.Every bit a full general rule, if a piece of paper can fit further than virtually one/16″ nether any one part of the span, it is due for repair. If paper fits under in multiple locations, regardless of depth, it's also all-time to repair.

Bridge Lift Repair: Footstep By Step

If the bridge is upwardly, it needs to be removed so that the problem can be fixed before it is reglued.

We occasionally encounter instruments where an attempt has been fabricated to "shortcut" a bridge repair: typically by wicking gum underneath the lifted portion of the bridge and clamping it downwardly, without removal and refitting. In our experience, this is non an effective repair and may offer a temporary ready at best.At that place is a reason the bridge has lifted. For a proper repair, information technology is all-time to remove the span, fix the problem, refit the bridge to the top, then mucilage it.

Bridge repair is a varied job requiring woodworking skills and the ability to adjust on the fly; Especially with instruments that may have had prior piece of work done, the truthful extent of the attempt required for refitting is frequently just revealed once the bridge has been removed.

Preparing To Remove The Bridge

Before beginning, we remove thesaddle andES2 guitar Pickup from the span, to avert dissentious them. We also tape off the surrounding area of the top to protect it from impairment during the removal process.

A Temperature Controller and Heating Coating System Is Used To Heat The Joint

Even a severely lifting span may crave a fair amount of fourth dimension and endeavour to fully separate and remove from the instrument. At that place are a few mutual methods for removal. In our store, we prefer to use heat, via a temperature controller and heating blanket system, to soften the glue joint. When used properly, information technology makes for a reliably clean removal.

Nosotros place the heating blanket and thermoelectric thermometer on top of the span, holding them in position with the help of soft weighted bags. Afterward turning on the unit, we continually monitor for signs that the glue has softened and the bridge is ready for removal.

Audio-visual Guitar Span Removal

In one case the glue has been sufficiently softened by heat, removal with a spatula should be relatively shine. Even nevertheless, experience is key here.

If ane is non careful, it is easy to gouge and tear pieces of the guitar meridian. An error in removal makes for a more complicated refitting

If y'all look at the photograph, you will see that very few of the fibers from the top have been affected past the removal. This makes refitting the span easier.

Refitting An Acoustic Guitar Bridge

A cabinet scraper bract is useful in cleaning

One time the bridge has been removed, the difficult task of troubleshooting and refitting the bridge begins. Sometimes this consists of removing backlog finish from underneath the footprint of the bridge to ensure a proper glue joint. Other times it involves flattening a bellied top, the re-gluing of a loose internal brace, or repairing a damaged bridge plate. In this case, information technology appears to just just have been a poorly glued joint.

After removing the majority of the old glue and excess fabric with a chiffonier scraper, the terminal fitting was achieved utilizing a slice of sandpaper adhered to the elevation. The sandpaper help us to decide whatever remaining high or depression spots on the span bottom that are preventing information technology from seating as seamlessly as possible confronting the instrument's peak.

Regluing and Clamping A Guitar Span

Once we are sure that the bridge is well mated to the summit, it is fix to be glued into position. We typically adopt Franklin'southward Titebond every bit our glue of pick: This common wood gum has a reasonably long working fourth dimension earlier setting, is fairly easily removed if necessary, and it is easy to apply and cleanup. Hot hibernate glue is a traditional selection. Even so, it is a flake more work to prep and has a limited open time.

We use specially designed clamps and cauls to achieve through the audio hole and support the bridge in position while the glue dries. Once clamped, diligent cleanup ensures a make clean terminate result. After leaving the clamps on overnight, the musical instrument was set for an NT cervix reset and setup to complete the required repairs. At present it sounds as good as it looks! If properly maintained, the span should not cause any futurity problems.

About Guitar Repair Long Isle

Guitar Repair Long Island is the expanse'south premier destination for fretted musical instrument care and maintenance. Led by owner/head technician Erik Salomon, the shop is dedicated to providing quick, honest, and reliable service. Our vast experience in all aspects of instrument repair ensures that we can assistance with whatever your needs are. Contact us with whatever questions or volume your date today.