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Hey guys, I've got a vintage Gibson that's got some bellying. Forgive my question for being obvious, but I just want to confirm before I go ahead and start doing anything. Let me say that while I have never performed a repair like this, I am confident enough in my ability to successfully complete each stage of the process.

Ok, so I would like to remove the bridge and bridge plate, then glue new ones in. But my questions is, after I've removed the pieces, if I clamp down the top so it's is about where it needs to be, then I glue the new bridge plate and bridge on, will those pieces be enough to hold the top in place? Or will it belly again?

I intend to make a maple bridge plate, in place of the spruce one that's currently in there.

Does that make sense?

Well I believe that this is the case, but let's just say theoretically what I described was a situation, would gluing a new bridge plate and bridge hold a bellied top down?

edit - it is properly humidified, braces are glued good,

guitar is a 1956 gibson lg1, ladder braced, spruce bridge plate, bellying is a very common issue with this model, solution is usually glue a bridge plate overlay or a new bridge plate all together

Is this affecting the playability and/or tone of the guitar, or is it a cosmetic issue?

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https://soundcloud.com/jeffreylsuits/he ... -runnin-13

It is affecting the playability. The action is too high. I don't care about cosmetic issues. I set up guitars for a living so I know this is the reason.

It doesn't affect the tone either. This guitar sounds incredible. That's why I need to fix it, I believe this guitar is a keeper, I think she'll be with me my entire life.

The bellying is about a half cm to full cm. A little closer to half cm.

Action is about a half cm too high.

Why not install a JLD Bridge Doctor?

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David Radlin
http://www.facebook.com/radlin.guitars

I always thought bellying is pretty natural... but if the action is high what about a neck reset? An alternative to replacing the bridge plate is a bridge plate overlay, if it is cracked across the string hole and the holes are worn out. It's 10,000 times easier than replacing the bridge plate. I much rather take the whole top off (to piece it back together, in the case of a severely cracked top) to replace the bridge plate.

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

Nah, I don't really like the bridge doctor.

I don't think this guitar is a candidate for a neck reset. The bellying is minor enough that with 11s on and tuned down a step, she plays pretty decent. So I'm getting some good use out of her at the moment. Although the strings are a little loose.

I have considered a bridge plate overlay, but I figure I might as well just replace the whole thing. Also I think the new bridge plate would hold the bellied top down better.