Converting a backloading bridge to a pin bridge

[thefishinmusician]

The patient looks to be a Harmony or Harmony knock off...It had a back loading bridge...( Like an Ovation )..The music store lost the original...It has that big rectangle support beneath the bridge area, going from side to side. I have a pin bridge that covers the old footprint, and intonates..( save those old bridges! )...Just do it, or should I add a bit of a bridge pad????

[Ron Frazier]

Yes inside you will have to glue a bridge plate,
As long as the composition is right go for it!

Ron

[Jeffrey L. Suits]

Sounds like there's already a bridge pad there, you're good to go, long as it's about 1/8"thick.

[Frank Ford]

By all means, do convert to pin bridge. We used to do those old Harmony Sovereigns all the time when the action was high and cutting the bridge lower would have meant no break angle over the saddle. Look inside to be sure the bridge plate is not spruce or other soft wood. IF it is, then a thin maple overlay would be a good idea to avoid having the string balls dig their way out.