Curious bridge adjustment

[Sats]

A ‘72 D-40 just popped up on Reverb, and has an OK price, but has an unusual recess routed under the bridge pins. Curious. To help create a better break angle over the saddle? Have not seen this before.

Guild D-40 Bluegrass Jubilee | Reverb

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[wileypickett]

I saw that too and I assumed the same thing -- an attempt to get a better break angle over the saddle.

 

[Uke]

Yes, what IS that about?

 

[dreadnut]

Oh, that poor Brazilian Rosewood bridge! Not only the way it's been hacked, but what is with those wear patterns just under the saddle?

 

[GGJaguar]

Ouch! Just waiting for a split to form in the wood between the bridge pins...

 

[jedzep]

Weird approach, but those bridges aren't impossible to find as replacement, so it might be a good negotiation point, along with the likely needed neck reset.

 

[beecee]

Being a very ham fisted, unskilled DIY'er I can see myself trying something like that vs.shaving the bridge.

Kinda like the time I decided to resort to using a hammer to remove the radio in my Fiat 124 back in 76.

 

[Prince of Darkness]

I'm wondering what that mark is at the middle of the 19th fret

 

[GGJaguar]

I'm wondering what that mark is at the middle of the 19th fret

Oxidation of the metal, maybe.

 

[richardp69]

I was interested in this one until I saw that mod. I messaged Hans and he mentioned a lot of what's been mentioned above and said it likely meant the saddle is really low and the guitar likely needs a neck reset.

 

[Br1ck]

Weird approach, but those bridges aren't impossible to find as replacement, so it might be a good negotiation point, along with the likely needed neck reset.

I don't know about that. Eight years ago, Hans Moust was down to two, and I bought one. He could still have it. So many of those were shaved down, a serious guitar violation. New owner will have to deal with both the bridge and a neck reset now. So add a grand to that not too bad price.

 

[jedzep]

Too bad. That general style is offered on the Guild site, though specs such as spacing would have to line up. Guild claims fitting pre-2014 parts is iffy, and I wouldn't be surprised either way with this one. I know the Hoboken era bridges look similar to the ones Guild sells, but I seem to recall spacing is off. If one was able to buy a blank, it could be re-pinned.

 

[dreadnut]

Bridge replacement would be about $125.00

Neck reset is another story.

 

[adorshki]

Being a very ham fisted, unskilled DIY'er I can see myself trying something like that vs.shaving the bridge.

Kinda like the time I decided to resort to using a hammer to remove the radio in my Fiat 124 back in 76.

Now you know what crowbars are for.

 

[Steven Whitaker]

I think I would stay away from that one, could have a bowed top which as it raises can cause the top by the neck to sink down giving you a funny neck angle

 

[wileypickett]

I suspect the strings being ramped in this fashion was part of the owner’s attempt to deal with the need for a neck reset.

It’s very possible the bridge may have been sanded before that odd ramping procedure was done.

I’d certainly want to check it out in person before laying any cash on the barrelhead.

 

[West R Lee]

I'm wondering what that mark is at the middle of the 19th fret

I've got it on the 19th fret thing. He does really wild string bends at the 20th......a whole new sound!

West