Official Luthiers Forum!

Hello again
I want to repair somehow a bridge plate that broke due to
bridge and pins not alligning up with the bridge plate
im trying to figure out how to gouge out a channel to
insert a new patch
does anyone know a link or a handy trick for doing this ?

what a bummer only had to reglue 1 easy brace that poped off
and was push testing the top checking for loose ones
i learnt a thing or two at least
inspect inspect inspect ... before you take a guitar home and tell
the owner what is wrong and possabilitys of what could happen

also figured a simple system for tiing the strings up
two hairbands streched over headstock onto the neck .
took the b/pins out . fished strings under hairband. wrap them around tuners pull two hairbands
over to secure them
even all the simple things add up
thanks again

Cracked bridge plate due to pins not aligning???? I have doubt that the pins had much to do with the crack,

My first question is how was the bridge plate sawn? My second question is what is the grain orientation in relationship to the centerline of the guitar.

In regards to my first question the bridge plate should be sawn a skew or riff cut. This makes the plate far less subseptible splitting. you never want to use quartersawn material for a bridge plate.

In regards to my second question the grain direction should be perpendicular to the center line of the guitar. this puts the loading of pins caused by the srting balls perpendicular to the grain of the bridgeplate there by avoiding the load causing an inline grain split under load.

A photo would be helpfull to dianose what caused the split or crack. it is not likely you can make a good splint repair to the bridge plate. the best option is a full bridge plate replacement. This is not an easy thing to do but can be done. Another option is a Stewmac Plate Mate http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Hardware,_parts/Acoustic_guitar:_Bridge_and_endpins/Plate_Mate.html

hi again
the reason it split (i reckon)is that the pins are going in sidewards
towards the waist
tis only a cheap guitar and is say theres about 2 ml misallignment in the top and the bridge
i havent seen it properly which way the bridge plate it is cut

Is there any other method or do i need a dish (which i havent got yet )
to sand the bridge plate to conform to the top?

i really think there must be an easier way to do this
mabye with some system of a template/bridgeplate protector
for the channel held in through the pin holes ?


sorry about no pics all the time and my bad explaining
but i cant figure out how to get the pictures to fit when sending
is there a troubleshooting link or something
i would love to find info on this but dont want to clog up the page
thanks again
tomas

The format for posting photos is JPG under 200 kb use the add picture links at the bottom of the new post. Browse for the name, then the add photo button. After adding the photo it must be placed in line see the bottom of the text field of a new post for the place in line button.

i still doubt that the pin holes or pins had any thing to do with the crack. now under sized pin hole taper and pins being forced in could have caused a crack but the odds are more likely that quarter sawn plate was used or that the grain is running in the wrong direction 2mm miss alignment should not have cause a cracking issue.

This is a repair that needs to be done by an experienced luthier. It is not easy to replace a bridge plate without possibly causing finish or other damage. The glue that is bonding the bridge plate need to be softened and a knife use to remove the bridge plate from the top. all this done inside the guitar. The area for the new plate cleaned of glue residue and a new plate fabricated and glued in place clamped using cauls, one between the bridge plate and the clamp and one between the outer top and the clamp. This is a big time project. You need experience in doing this to be successful.

Like Michael said, this one really requires a good look or ideally an in person inspection to really know how to advise, and removing and replacing a bridge plate is nasty business even for people who are experienced at it. Sorry to be not much help.

_________________
Jordan Aceto
Ithaca, NY