All Discussions Tagged 'Plate' - FRETS.NET2024-03-29T11:56:38Zhttp://fretsnet.ning.com/forum/topic/listForTag?tag=Plate&feed=yes&xn_auth=noD-28 Top Damagetag:fretsnet.ning.com,2011-11-30:2177249:Topic:791002011-11-30T19:08:59.939ZDave Domizihttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/DaveDomizi
Hi All,<br />
I'm evaluating a job for one of my regular clients. He just brought me a 1973 Martin D-28 which has apparently been worked on by a series of well-meaning people who REALLY didn't get things right. The current bridge, although over-sized, ugly, and lifted here and there, appears to have been relatively stable for the last few years, though it seems doomed to repeated failure in the long run due to the misshapen top and its leaning so far forward. I haven't taken the bridge off yet, as…
Hi All,<br />
I'm evaluating a job for one of my regular clients. He just brought me a 1973 Martin D-28 which has apparently been worked on by a series of well-meaning people who REALLY didn't get things right. The current bridge, although over-sized, ugly, and lifted here and there, appears to have been relatively stable for the last few years, though it seems doomed to repeated failure in the long run due to the misshapen top and its leaning so far forward. I haven't taken the bridge off yet, as the client would like some idea of cost before we get into it.<br />
The history, as best as the owner can tell me:<br />
- The bridge has been replaced 3 or 4 times over a number of years! Seems likely that the first few re-gluings/replacements were done without correcting the root cause - blown X-braces.<br />
- On the 3rd (?) bridge removal, the top may have been damaged by insufficient heating of the glue, leaving some torn out spruce, and apparently some additional wood MAY have been added on the top under the bridge. There is definitely sloppy extra wood added to reinforce the bridge plate, and then additional small chunks glues on top of that!- Likely on the 3rd or 4th repair, the worst of the x-bracing blowout was brutally glued up, though there are still various small bracing separations around the top now. It seems possible that the late-in-the-game x-brace glue up may have helped to lock in the awful warping that has taken place over the years.<br />
So, questions:<br />
- Is it possible (or not) to flatten this type of damage simply by removing the bridge alone and using heating bars like the Thompson Belly Reducer system that Stew Mac sells? I'm skeptical because of severity of the warping, the added extra layer of bridge plate material, as well as the possibility the there may even be another patch layered on the top under the bridge.- Would it be necessary to go beyond this type of bridge plate heating and to fully remove the bridge plate, and possibly even the back or top in order to wet and clamp flat the top before a full-structural rebuild of the bridge area of the top?<br />
- Will the late-stage x-brace glue up require additionally removing/regluing the x bracing in order to get things flat?<br />
- If it's the full-blown job, is it better to remove the top or the back to address these issues?<br />
Thanks to all in advance for your thought and time!<br />
Dave