Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi all,

As I changed my strings yesterday I was running my finger along the top of my guitar just behind the bridge and I thought I felt a slight dip. On closer inspection I saw that the top did indeed dip at one point, dropping down about a mm and then up again over the course of about a cm, immediately behind the bridge. As you move away from the bridge towards the back of the guitar the dip disappears, and the top is perfectly flat elsewhere.

At the point of the dip the back of the bridge is slightly separated from the top, as can be seen in the attached picture (look below the tip of the A string). I could not say if this has been there since I bought the guitar (under a year ago).

I am not bothered by this unless it is likely to become a more significant problem. Can I ask the luthiers here what might have caused it? Is the bridge lifting or is the top not even? Is it likely to have happened when the top was created or to have developed since? Is it likely to get worse?
Many thanks,

Sean

PS Guitar is Ramirez 125 Anós

what is your humidity ? Also check your braces . If you have a loose brace it may allow that dip to form. Without a real hands on inspection the best we can do is guess .

_________________
John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

That's a common problem with classicals with fans and a Cedar top.
The top between the fans is bing pulled up by the string load on the bridge and the center fan is not moving as much as the flexible area between the fans.
Keep an eye on it.
It may go no further.
I took a .002 feeler guage and cut it down to 3mm wide.
I insert it into the area and if it goes in more then 3mm I reglue the bridge.
Or loosen strings and run some glue in there and clamp.
It may or may not hold.
Otherwise remove the bridge and reglue .

This usually does not happen when a bridge pad is used and left wider than the bridge.


Mike

_________________
Mike Collins

It may have never been glued down at that point.

Thanks for the advice all. My humidity varies from 50 to 65%. I have not yet had a look inside. I'm not a luthier (yet - ordering my first kit soon) and I'm not sure I'd know what to look for. My guitar teacher builds so I'll ask his advice.

Overall do you guys think this is something I should send the guitar back because of? I have had it under a year, so perhaps it would be covered under a warranty.

Sean

My opinion is that if it is under warranty, I would exchange it. Or, at least show it to the merchant and see if they can explain it to your satisfaction.