Hobo Era Bridge Thickness

[jedzep]

Howdy Guilders!

I think I'm finally going to take my F30 in for an overdue neck reset. The style bridge on these is my favorite, and mine was obviously shaved down at one point to where there's just 3mm thickness at the wings, and maybe between 6 and 7mm in the middle. Before I make an idiot out of myself and ask my luthier about using my matching Braz RW scrap to laminate the bridge up to original spec thickness before setting the new angle, I should find out what that original thickness would be. Does anyone know the stock thickness, or if someone has a 60's F20 or 30 with an untouched bridge, can give me these numbers off theirs?

Big thanks!

 

[Christopher Cozad]

I do not have "official" Guild bridge measurements, and the Guild bridges I have measured over the decades vary significantly. I have bridges whose wings measure as thin as 3/32" and as thick as 3/16", with everything in between. This makes sense once you learn this is how they (and many production shops) built their instruments, setting the necks first (to an approximate target geometry) and then selecting the closest-fitting bridge and/or modifying one to fit.

Though it does not answer your question directly, in the event you do not obtain satisfactory "official" measurements, when I create a new bridge for a Guild guitar (a guitar whose neck I will set AFTER the bridge is attached), my target measurements are 3/8" at the tallest/thickest point and 5/32" wing height. With an additional 1/8" of saddle projecting above the tallest point of the bridge (for sufficient break angle), I now have 1/2" between the string and the soundboard and (depending on the overall weight of the bridge material, sufficient mass in the bridge to drive the top. Your mileage may vary.

 

[jedzep]

Thank you much, Christopher. Do you make copies of this style bridge for sale?

 

[Default]

I prefer bridges thick enough to give a dry place to sleep and a place to cook my can of beans... Ugh, sorry, wrong topic.

 

[Christopher Cozad]

I prefer bridges thick enough to give a dry place to sleep and a place to cook my can of beans... Ugh, sorry, wrong topic.

I should have seen that one coming...

How are ya doin', man?

 

[Default]

I retire at the end of next July. It's the great unknown, but I have plenty to keep me busy.