Fender Palomino "Broomstick" removal?

[Matt Dreher]

I have a Fender Palomino in my shop that the top has caved in under the saddles and has cracked/ broken out the top and bridge plate. The broomstick brace is in the way to repair the bridge plate. My efforts to remove it indicate it is frozen or glued in place. Anyone ever removed one before? Any insight would be helpful. 

[Paul Breen]

OK, I'll bite, what is a broomstick brace?? Braces are supposed to be glued in place, I don't think anyone knows what it is you're referring too.

[Greg Mirken]

I knew what he was referring to, but each time I tried to respond I threw up in the back of my throat a little.

[Matt Dreher]

in the fender palomino there is an aluminum "broomstick" / dowel  that anchors at the heel and runs to the tail block. It is not attached to the top/ bottom or sides. Think of a huge violin sound post that runs horizontally and can bee seen throgh the soundhole and looks very odd. 

[Matt Dreher]

[Paul Breen]

Pictures say 1,000 words. A simple Google search turned up some videos from Rosa String works. There are 3 with this guy dealing with the problems you mention, he doesn't take out the "broomstick". 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhvySgZImZc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha37Ahp4Rs0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgbinnPilGI

I did not watch much but it does seem to address the bridge and bridge plate issues. Rather cringe worthy to see the mess when the bridge comes off...

Good luck

[Matt Dreher]

Thanks Paul i will check out the videos. 

[Roger Häggström]

Connecting the neck and endblock with a rod is really not a good idea. It will strengthen the guitar for sure, but kill the tone at the same time. They were common on harpguitars from around 1900 to keep the guitar from folding into itself from string tension, but I never thought it would turn up again in a modern guitar!

[Matt Dreher]

I agree, but if i recall the Palomino was one of Fenders first acoustic guitar efforts and it probably did not go as planned. I dont think they produced that model/ design for more than a few years and it was discontinued.  

[Paul Verticchio]

OK, here goes......
The “broomstick” was used on most Fender acoustics of that era.
It’s purpose? A proprietary Fender branded DeArmond sound hole magnetic was clamped onto the bar and allowed the pickup to float in the sound hole without ‘attaching it’ to the top.
It has no structural significance.
This series of Fender acoustics were some pretty lame sounding and questionably designed instruments. IMO, they were terrible instruments.
We have to remember Leo’s service/repair philosophy was to replace parts and assemblies, NOT to repair them.
If this guitar had been sent to Fender for repair in that era, they would have removed its neck, attached it to a replacement body and returned it to the owner via an authorized Fender dealer. Serviceability and repair were not design elements.
Good luck with your project. It’ll definitely be a labor and time intensive venture.

[Paul Verticchio]

The subject pickup:

[Joshua Levin-Epstein]

That center brace was good for advertising, as well.

https://www.pbs.org/video/antiques-roadshow-appraisal-william-b-til...

[Matt Dreher]

Thanks Paul, that was a nice tidbit of info that i did not know.All of the Palomino's I have worked on in the past were missing the pickups. I did not realize that was the intentional use of the bar.