DV52 - cracked bridge (ouch!)

[fungusyoung]

Busted the high E string a while back so I packed up the DV52 and stored it in the case & closet. Gets a little warm up there, but nothing crazy. Anyways, went to re-string her today and noticed a crack across the the bridge... it basically connects the bridge pin holes. Looked sort of like a hairline crack at first, but I think it's a bit more serious than that. Either way, the writing's on the wall.

Never had this happen... know I need a new one.... how big/difficult of a job is this, where do I get an authentic replacement & how much should this set me back roughly? Also, is this a pretty standard repair or should I go to a top luthier dude in my area?

Dang it!

 

[kydog]

had my bridge crack at the saddle It only ran me 40.00 to get it repaired. Works like new for me now . thru the bridge pin holes might be a different story tho
Good luck

 

[West R Lee]

Man, I feel your pain, that's a damned nice guitar. That's the first time I've heard of temperature causing that crack, not saying it couldn't have been a factor though. The best repairman that I know of, Mr. Hans Moust once told me that cracks between pin holes are primarily caused by really mashing pins into the hole. Since then, I make sure the pins fit properly and don't force anything, just gently place them in the hole.

Everyone has an opinion, but if it were me, I'd want a flawless job on a guitar like a DV52 and would have to seek out the best. The place that Hideglue works might be an option. In fact, you might get lucky and get him to fix it.

I've seen bridges on eBay, but not too many in ebony, you might check with Hans to see if he happens to have one in stock.

West

 

[fungusyoung]

Thanks, West. Is Hideglue still up near Westerly way? That's not a crazy idea especially since I go up to CT all the time for work these days. I'd be happy to trek further up north for the right job when I can afford to get it done.

Your comments regarding mashing the pins down... I could very well be guilty. One thing is for sure, I'll be approaching string changes different from now on. I'm not saying it was the heat that caused the problem, but I didn't notice it until it was stored for a little while in temps. that can go a little above 70 on occasion.

Anyway, thanks!

 

[laocmo]

If you are the brave type with patience and a steady hand, go to am art supply store and get a couple small sticks of black artist charcoal and a couple of tubes of Crazy Glue, the thin kind. Glue a temporary back up plate like a Popsicle stick on the inside, on the bottom of the crack, (assuming it goes all the way through). Use a very thin Elmers glue layer, the stick must pop off later. You might also make due with a strip of duct tape. Pack the crack with the charcoal then apply Crazy Glue to the charcoal. It will wick in. Let dry a day or so. Sand the charcoal down level with the ebony using about 400 grade paper. Done right the crack is now invisible. Remove the Popsicle stick and sand off any excess Elmers inside. You might then need a Dremel tool or round needle file to grind the holes a little to remove the excess charcoal and to make the pins fit the holes. I've done two guitars this way, so far still a perfect fix after 10 years.

 

[dreadnut]

My Dv-52 bridge was slightly lifted when I first got it, the luthier dude at Elderly Instruments removed it and re-placed it, no problem. So I'm with West, get a pro to do it. Of course, the bridge is ebony on this guitar.

Good luck, Funguy!

 

[fungusyoung]

Thanks again everybody! This really sucks, but I suppose it could be much worse.
So, until I have the repair done is it advisable to remove the strings & bridge pins?

Larry, when it comes to repairing my highest quality dread I'm not too brave at all!

 

[West R Lee]

Fungustus,

Why not fire off a PM to Hideglue and see if his shop will have a look at her? Can't get any better than a guy that did final repairs at the Westerly plant.

West

 

[fungusyoung]

Fungustus,

Why not fire off a PM to Hideglue and see if his shop will have a look at her?

West

I plan to do just that right now... thanks again, West!

 

[West R Lee]

You are so welcome sir, I hope it all works out.

West

 

[High Mileage]

I had the same crack on my DCE5, turned out to be an easy repair. The crack went from the first hole to the last, across the ebony bridge.

The repairman used some thin glue with sawdust in it, pumped it into the crack, let it dry, and smoothed it out (with steel wool, I would guess). Can't tell it was ever cracked. Can't remember what he charged me, but it wasn't much.

 

[earbleedz]

I had the same thing happen with my D70. I put thin superglue into the cracks with a hypodermic needle, and now it's practically invisible. The repair has really held up to a lot of playing.

 

[brian f]

PM sent

 

[john_kidder]

If you are the brave type with patience and a steady hand, go to am art supply store and get a couple small sticks of black artist charcoal and a couple of tubes of Crazy Glue, the thin kind. Glue a temporary back up plate like a Popsicle stick on the inside, on the bottom of the crack, (assuming it goes all the way through). Use a very thin Elmers glue layer, the stick must pop off later. You might also make due with a strip of duct tape. Pack the crack with the charcoal then apply Crazy Glue to the charcoal. It will wick in. Let dry a day or so. Sand the charcoal down level with the ebony using about 400 grade paper. Done right the crack is now invisible. Remove the Popsicle stick and sand off any excess Elmers inside. You might then need a Dremel tool or round needle file to grind the holes a little to remove the excess charcoal and to make the pins fit the holes. I've done two guitars this way, so far still a perfect fix after 10 years.

That sounds like a great fix, except that I don't understand how a crack along the grain of the bridge could come through the (right angled) grain in the spruce top below the bridge, and the bridge plate itself under that?