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Alvarez-Yairi Acoustic needs bridge reset
A local performer brought this guitar in for a bridge reset. Upon inspection it was easy to see the bridge lifting from the top. Everything else on the guitar appeared to be fine.
I began by fashioning a piece of wood that matched the shape of the top of the bridge. I then placed my neck heating pad between the bridge and the piece of wood, clamped it down making sure the heater pad stayed away from the finish, and began heating the bridge. Using my trusty candy thermometer, I set the temperature at 250 degrees. After about 4 or 5 minutes the glue under the bridge began to loosen and I used my separator knife (a sharpened and shaped putty knife) I worked the bridge loose.
Fortunately the top of the guitar was pretty flat, so once the bridge was separated, I scraped any excess spruce off of it and sanded it flat as well.
Using the bridge pins, I located the correct position for the bridge and marked it off with low-tac painters tape. I then inserted my bridge clamps and did a dry run using cork pads I made under the clamps so as not to indent the bridge. It all looked great, so I moved the clamps to the sides and poured the glue on pretty thick so it would take up any missing space where splintering may have occurred. I placed the bridge in position and inserted all 6 bridge pins. Once it was properly placed, I removed a couple bridge pins and began placing the clamps one at a time in order to make sure the bridge didn't shift. I was able to keep a couple of bridge pins in there until I was done tightening the clamps, thereby insuring proper placement. I immediately cleaned the glue around it, first with a paper towel, then a cotton swab. Once the glue was cleaned up I put one more clamp on the end of the guitar to make sure the bridge made a good clean contact with the top of the guitar. I tightened it lightly so as not to depress the top too much. and I did get a little bit of glue squeezing out from under the bridge, so it was a good thing I did that. I then left it to dry over night.
In the morning I removed all the clamps, cleaned the excess glue with a wet paper towel, and made sure the bridge pin holes were clear. I then installed the under-bridge pickup that came with it and strung it up. There was a beautiful fit between the bridge and top and the reset was absolutely invisible. The guitar sounded great and the bridge was on there strong. The customer was very happy with the results and I guess it's working great because she called me a month later and asked my advice on acoustic pickups.
A rousing success!
This guitar was in great shape except for the bridge, so the repair went like clockwork and the customer was very happy with the results. |
Other mods, repair, and custom work available
as well.
To find out more, email me!
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