Official Luthiers Forum!

The newest Luthier Tips du Jour instructional video is on Youtube. The topic is bridge removal. Subtitles are available in both English and Portuguese and you can translate them into any other language by using the CC option on Youtube.
As always, comments and discussion are welcome.
Enjoy!

Thanks Robbie! Informative as always.

Thank you.

Nice job as usual Robbie, and now I have seen a use for the leftover Ebony from a bridge cutout.

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Fred Tellier
http://www.fetellierguitars.com
Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/FE-Tellier-Guitars/163451547003866

Thanks everyone. Fred, I never throw away anything.

Robbie, I get that you're trying to keep the video simple, but unfortunately I think your video is a case of giving just enough that it will get someone in terrible trouble. There's a lot of important detail that it's missing and I think many folks here would get good instruments damaged with the video as it stands. Removing a bridge cleanly is a very difficult thing to do, particularly with a heat blanket. I think you need to flesh out your video.

You are correct that there is a lot to removing a bridge. I appreciate your concern. For those that are serious about learning building or repair my videos were always intended as just a starting point to what can be a very long journey. I hope they are useful to some.

Since you asked for a critique I'll give mine. This is with all due respect for what you have done for the lutherie community.
I agree with a previous poster that the video is a little too caviler. I use this blanket and love it but would vote for a little better demonstration of a holding caul you can take you hands off and a discussion of at least noting top runout before you stick that spatula in there. The caul should hold the blanket against the bridge and serves as a heat sink so it takes a while for the bridge to get hot as does the caul. I've been using a couple of brass scale weights but would welcome other ideas. A lot of the details and pitfalls could be included in written instructions with the blanket and reference could be made to that in the video without adding any significant length. Might save LMI and some newer builders a major headache.

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.