carlo robelli bridge plate

[Lee Gendvilas]

Here is a Carlo Robelli cutaway with an under the saddle pickup. The bridge is starting to separate from the top due to the bridge plate (see pics).

Question 1: Since I have not heard of a Carlo Robelli before now, is this guitar worth the money and effort of putting a bridge plate in the correct position?

Question 2: The plate seems to be large. If I proceed with putting in a bridge plate, what may I reference to be sure I'm making the plate the correct size for this guitar and putting it in correct position?

Thanks in advance for your replys.

[Mike Kolb]

Definitely "entry-level" guitars.  Most of their acoustics are less than $100 out the door.  Mostly guitars and violins these days, and all made in China.

[Lee Gendvilas]

Wow! What a quick reply! So do you think this guitar was put together with mystery glue? BTW, I really like that 3 string bass.

[Paul Verticchio]

Mike is right on target with his comments.

Carlo Robelli guitars are produced by the literal boatload with spotty & questionable quality. Yes, it is assembled with AMG.

Without giving a yes or no to "is it worth it?"... let's just stay that at usual and customary labor charges, 15 minutes worth of work will likely exceed the worth of the instrument.

Good luck with your decision making.

[Hesh Breakstone]

Was it Don Adams on the show "Get Smart" who used to say "missed it by just this much...?"  Maybe he was actually referring to Carlo Robelli guitars and their inability to properly position a bridge plate? ;)

What we typically do in a situation such as this is provide the client with accurate estimates of what it will cost for us to remove and replace the bridge plate, properly remove the bridge, clean-up the top, cut back the finish because manufacturers NEVER cut back enough finish under bridges except for Collings.... redrill and ream for the pins, etc. and let them decide if they wish to invest approx. three times the price of the guitar new in having the repairs done.

All of this is often also tempered with conveying the knowledge to a client that these things were never meant to be serviceable in so much as the AMG is far more difficult to get to release, without a claymore...., than say white glues, HHG, etc. and that a desired outcome can't be guaranteed.  

They usually know what to do next.  If they don't know what to do there is always the eta to complete too that can be compelling if it falls into the next century.... ;)

And if all that fails usually looking around a bit more will uncover the need for a new nut, upping the price, a new saddle, also upping the price, and possibly a neck reset of which if this has a dowelled neck joint all bets are off.  Maybe too it needs a fret dress as well? ;)

Don't get me wrong and I would never, never over charge a very valued client but these cheap imports are a very long walk on a very short pier for we repair folks where there is, in my view, an undue risk that working on these things will redefine the term "scope creep..." AND create an opportunity cost in terms of doing other billable work in which we will lose our shirts....

Again though most folks will understand - just be honest with them.

[Tim Mace]

shoddy craftsmanship....send it back the the blacksmith...the company should replace this w/a new guitar of your choosing...but the xbrace looks healthy....

[Mark Pollock]

Insist on a deposit for the full repair before starting. What a crap plate.

[michael mcclain]

i don;t see your connection of the somewhat small bridge plate with little room behind the pin holes with the fact the bridge is coming off. martin made a lot of guitars with very similar sized plates.

have you removed the bridge? the separation is more likely to be a result of a poor glue joint on a guitar like this.

 

certainly not worth even considering a new bridge plate, even if it needs one.

 

could be worth a bridge reglue depending on your rates.