Bridge Doctor

[wright1]

Hi Chaps and Chapess', Have any of you fitted a Bridge Doctor like the ones fitted as standard to Breedlove guitars? I have a GF60 that is bellying a little and I wondered if any of you had any success fitting one of these to correct this problem or have you any other method of keeping this problem under control?

Thanks for any input.

 

[capnjuan]

Hi Wright1; try these threads:

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=5620&hilit=JLD
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=5704&hilit=jld
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=5283&hilit=jld
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4281&hilit=jld

Happy reading! cj

 

[wright1]

Thanks Capn. It seems like everybody that has fitted one has been happy with it. My first reaction was that it would anchor the soundboard but the reality seems to be that it takes the strain of the strings, relieving the soundboard to work more efficiently, with the added bonus of any extra vibration being transfered through the post to the body via the end block. It was nice to have confirmed what I had hoped for. As I already have the JLD I will be installing it as soon as I have a chance!

 

[capnjuan]

Good luck W1; let us know how it works out. cj

 

[brian f]

Wright1 - My experience has been positive...easy to install, easy to adjust, and positive effect sound. The only downside is stringing it up is a bit of a bugger. I use d'addario lights wiht a .012, and I have to slightly crimp the winding at the bridge end of the high e to get it to fit all the way thru the brass tone pin (unless you have the screw in type w/o brass pins). Not a big deal, but it does make a restring more than a 10 minute job for me.

Definitely let us know how it goes for you. Good luck.

B

 

[wright1]

Brian, I have the screw-in type. I looked at the pin replacement type and decided that the price was too high and I thought that maybe the break angle of the strings would not be as good approaching the saddle from a higher point. I will hide the screw with a matching wood plug rather than the MOP dot supplied so it will be almost invisible. As soon as it is done I will post a 'how it went'! Thanks everyone for your encouragement.

 

[wright1]

Hi Guys, Update on bridge doctor. Now fitted(not plugged yet). Top had 6mm gap at edge with strings on,4.5mm with strings off, slowly got it to 3.5mm with the Doc fitted and let it rest overnight(while letting the glue set on the fingerboard binding that had come loose from the nut to the 3rd fret. What is it about Guild binding in that area? My S100 has the same problem????) Strung it up today and the top settled at 5mm.Belly was under control but there was still a fair amount of top lift hence only a 1mm reduction. If the top stabilises at this I will be happy. I have not touched the saddle yet and you can now easily push the strings to rattle but not uncontrollably. As for tone there seems to be little diference in the treble but the bass has opened up and will shout if you push it. This makes the balance a little lopsided but all the info is that it takes time for the top to adjust so I am hoping that the treble will recover in time. Overall I am happy with the JLD. It has not had a too bad effect on sound and it does hold the belly in check. I read that Taylor use them to correct bellying on their guitars. I am now going to fit one to my Gibson J200 Koa which seems to have a cedar top. I have the feeling the Montana boys were doing a bit of experimentation on this one as the Koa is really very plain and the top is very brown for a natural finish.(dealer said it was 'sunburnt'!) It wasn't new when I got it but it had such a big sound and (sorry chaps) I had wanted one for a very long time!!!
That's it for now folks. Cheerybye!