Hey all, been chatting with a guy about purchasing my first guild, is this okay do you think? Obv it's not ideal, but I feel like it's a good deal on the guitar. Everything else is fine (beyond missing the paper label)
Is this bridge lift significant?
- Thread starter gtg2034
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jedzep
Senior Member
Yeah, kinda' sketchy. You'll just have to monitor it, but having a bridge re-glued won't break the bank. Grab a mirror and look inside to make sure your strings are properly seated, as pictured, against an intact bridge plate. If they've slipped past and are embedded up into the slot they could be pulling on the bridge itself.
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Peter Z
Junior Member
As long as the top isn‘t arched too much, I‘d just watch it. If you pit a straightedge across the top (parallel to the bridge) and the gap on both sides of the top is less than 1/4“ (or 1/2“ summed up) it should be ok.
Maybe, just to be sure, take pictures of the braces next time when you change strings. They should be glued on the top without any gaps. It’s not likely you have that problem, but it could be.
Anyway, these are simple repairs.
Oh, much more important: don’t forget to check the CO levels!
Maybe, just to be sure, take pictures of the braces next time when you change strings. They should be glued on the top without any gaps. It’s not likely you have that problem, but it could be.
Anyway, these are simple repairs.
Oh, much more important: don’t forget to check the CO levels!
Significant enough to have it removed and re-glued. Not really a big deal to repair but I'd get it done before it gets any worse.
All good info thank you!
I had posted here with a similar question about a different guitar a week or two ago, and dreadnut you were helpful there too thank you.
I'm debating pulling the trigger on it, beyond the bridge it's in lovely condition. '78 D-40 for 1100 after shipping etc. Here's all the pics if y'all wanna take a look. Seems like the guy bought it on reverb 7 months ago, kept the pickup, and it reselling for same price - though I don't want a pickup in there anyway so that doesn't really bother me
*edited, cleaned up link*
I had posted here with a similar question about a different guitar a week or two ago, and dreadnut you were helpful there too thank you.
I'm debating pulling the trigger on it, beyond the bridge it's in lovely condition. '78 D-40 for 1100 after shipping etc. Here's all the pics if y'all wanna take a look. Seems like the guy bought it on reverb 7 months ago, kept the pickup, and it reselling for same price - though I don't want a pickup in there anyway so that doesn't really bother me
*edited, cleaned up link*
davismanLV
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They never glued all the way to the edge of the bridge to keep glue squeeze out to a minimum. This little bit seems within normal limits to me. I can slip paper under the edge of both my Guild bridges and they're 27 years old and I've had no trouble. This isn't technically "lift" because the bridge isn't rising up. Check the other side of it and see how it is underneath. If the edge isn't coming up and this is all you've got, I'd just leave it alone. It'll probably be that way for many, many years. And if you do decide to fix it, either now or eventually, as has been said it's not a difficult job and rather inexpensive. I'd just leave it alone unless you've got other symptoms that are concerning you. Just one opinion. 
ahh yes I had read that on this forum before, thank you!
If I could defer to the LTG experience here; if ya'll see any red flags in those pics please let me know, otherwise I'm gonna pull the trigger on this today and "officially" join the LTG club
davismanLV
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I tried to look at the album on imgur and it opens a new window but no photos load, so I can't really see any more photos. Maybe I'm doing something wrong.....
Br1ck
Senior Member
Looks to me you have decent break angle on the bridge, so go for it. Akin to needing break pads on a car. No big deal.
jedzep
Senior Member
I just clicked on the arrow at the right edge of the photo to move the slideshow and the pics came in sequence.
No problem, I'll try post in this thread. Only two things I see are the bridge, (established it's not too bad) and the hole where the input jack for pickup was.. not such a big deal, I'm sure I can find an end pin to fit (and I don't ever use a strap anyway)
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davismanLV
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SFIV1967
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Ralf
I like to have the bridge flat on the top, and like I said, this is not a complex repair if done by a competent luthier.
I'm not buying into "they were built that way to minimize glue runout," or if they were it indicates a manifacturing process that was out of control. It would also mean they left the factory like that.
I'm not buying into "they were built that way to minimize glue runout," or if they were it indicates a manifacturing process that was out of control. It would also mean they left the factory like that.
That’s fair. I imagine I’ll put it in for a setup after a few months anyway, and I do have a guy here in NYC that’s extremely competent, so I might bang it all out at once.
Just waiting on a reply from the seller and I think I’m good to go
davismanLV
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There's a small bevel around the edge that was built to ride up on the lacquer finish. Glue won't stick to lacquer anyway, so that little overlap makes sense. To me anyway. If it's not broke, don't fix it, you know?
The Guilds of Grot
Enlightened Member
That's how New Hartford did it. Saw it with my own two eyes during the factory tours.
Seller graciously did the straight edge test for me, looks to be juuuuuuust off perfect