bridge trouble

[tim crain 54]

I sat down to play my J185 today and notice that the bridge is starting to lift at the treble side. My initial thought was to try and work glue under that corner and clamp it but I think I may need to remove it completely. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. The bridge is ebony and I cleaned it with acetone prior to gluing and the gluing surface was sanded to the top and left rough, it fit like a glove. I used an ample amount of Titebond on it, clamped it and left it overnight. I have had the guitar strung up since I finished it in back in March. It has pretty much stayed in the house in it's case, no hot cars or anything like that. I have loosened the strings and that gap has closed some but not all the way. I am perplexed as to why it is pulling loose. ??????? Thanks for any input, Tim

[Kevin in California]

Tim from the pics I'd guess your top has swelled/domed and the bottom of the bridge no longer matches the contour. That said it seems that also you have a glue failure going on

[Paul C]

I am definately not an expert but looks like the shape of that bridge might have something to do with it. The rounded part does not look like it is connected to the rest of it where the tension is pulling from strings. Just a thought that's all. I'm sure it's a great guitar and you will remedy it. I'm thinking a straight bar bridge on my next one. Nothing fancy but functional

[ken cierp]

Yeah I agree with Tim that the humidity had something to do with it. My guess is that in addition to the doming (which is a natural occurrence) the bridge developed a twist. What is it made of? No matter get those strings "OFF" before you have a major mess on your hands. That is glue failure none the less -- likely a combination some sort of contamination and a bit off a poor fit to the sound-board. That fit should required zero clamping pressure to achieve a perfect joint. The proper repair requires removal of the bridge and meticulous preparation of the mating surfaces (bare wood).

[tim crain 54]

Ken, the bridge is ebony which is years old. It was cut out and shaped several months before actually attaching it to the guitar. The bridge was radiused to the top by stroking it back and forth on sand paper that was taped to the top in the bridge position, it fit like a glove. I know need to remove it and re sand it and glue it again so any information/cautions for the removal would be greatly appreciated. I am looking at working a warmed knife under it to get it off though I am concerned about possible damage to the surrounding finish which I plan to protect with masking tape. Conformation of my game plan or a loud "are you crazy" would be most helpful. Thanks much, Tim

[ken cierp]

Using very old material can be a double edged sword -- yep its nice and dry, but exposing it to moisture (Titebond is water based) can make thin material go wacky instantly.

A heated putty knife honed to a sharp edge will work fine for removal I also use a stainless steel butter knife -- also sharpened and thinned a little too.

Yes you'll have to fabricate some heat shields -- I use aluminum (.023 or so)

[Tim Benware]

Any idea how old the glue was? Titebond has an expiration date.