Bellying on new F40 Traditional

[schoolie]

Hoping to get some advice. I returned a used F40 traditional and exchanged for a "new" F40 Traditional. When the guitar arrived, it looked dried out and the action was very low. I shimmed the saddle, but the guitar is now in 50% humidity and I notice the action keeps rising, and I see some bellying of the top, especially on the bass side. If I put straight edge across the top behind the bridge, the gap at the bass edge is close to 1/4". I don't see any bracing issues... Not sure if this would be considered normal. WOuld this be concerning to you? Any advice on what I should do? Thanks!

 

[geoguy]

I would de-tune the guitar, and let it re-hydrate with lower string tension.

If you are the original owner, and purchased the guitar from a Guild dealer, then you should be able to get a warranty repair, if needed.

 

[geoguy]

Also, if you are saying that the straightedge is touching the center of the soundboard (behind the bridge), and the treble-side edge of the soundboard at the lower bout, that gap at the bass-side lower bout is about what I see on three guitars that I just checked.

Maybe you can now remove the shim beneath the saddle, to put the action back closer to where it belongs?

 

[chazmo]

I would de-tune the guitar, and let it re-hydrate with lower string tension.

If you are the original owner, and purchased the guitar from a Guild dealer, then you should be able to get a warranty repair, if needed.

I would add to this. De-tune or take strings off, place a stack of books on the belly, and put a bunch of damp-its in the sound hole using the soundhole cover. Do this for about 10 days. This will over-humidify the guitar and help it take shape again. It's worked for me in the past, but only on severely bellied (and braces detached). Try it.

 

[schoolie]

Thanks so much for the help!..and just to clarify, after shimming the saddle, I've had to lower the saddle past the original height when the guitar arrived..I will try following your suggestions. If that doesn't work, I'll take it to a Guild authorized repair person..Fortunately, I have one near me.

 

[dreadnut]

Why not just return it for a replacement?

 

[schoolie]

Returning is a possibility, but that would make my 2nd return, and they don't have any of this model in stock. I'll probably take it to a tech for an inspection.

 

[schoolie]

Update: Took the guitar to a good repair shop and they have given it a clean bill of health. It's just lightly built and nothing out of the ordinary...I didn't want to scare anybody considering an F40.

 

[Westerly Wood]

Update: Took the guitar to a good repair shop and they have given it a clean bill of health. It's just lightly built and nothing out of the ordinary...I didn't want to scare anybody considering an F40.

awesome!

Norman Blake said "never to trust a guitar without a belly."

Matter of fact, I think he resting his right palm on the belly of this old Martin