I am going to look into a replacement bridge. The only other question is that somebody drilled a hold in the lower bout, below where the strap pin goes, for a pickup jack I'm guessing. I'm going to install a K&K anyway, but this hole is literally into the side wood, ugh. I'd prefer the hole through the endpin because there's a block there for stability. So, should I drill out the endpin jack for the pickup and patch the other hole, or just use the hole as is? I think I can find somebody decent to patch the other hole. I worry about cracks putting a pickup endpin directly into bare wood with no reinforcement.
"Yes".
:smile:
Kidding aside, patch the hole and use the endblock for exactly the correct reasons you suspect.
In hollow-body electrics there's a plate inside to stabilize the jack and prevent cracking, and Guild even went so far as to put a mounting block on the side/inside when they installed
strap pegs on the side of the upper bout in New Hartford.
(They didn't put 'em on the side prior to that, although some of the cutaway electrics had 'em right next to the neckheel and those probably got stabilizing blocks, too.)
And I hate to judge a guy without hearing his side of the story but I think your luthier did you a disservice with both the concept and quality of that glue job when it was at the end of the saddle slot like that.
Maybe I'm too cautious but I think he should have known better.
The sloppy glue extrusion left on the bridge and the still-open gap at the slot as Swiveltung mentioned seem to confirm my suspicions, though.
I just realized I did assume the work was finished since it's described as "post repair", if it's not actually finished then I withdraw that part of my comment, at least.
That kind of work might be acceptable on a run-of-the-mill "cheap" import which don't have a lot of intrinsic value but a vintage Guild is in a class above that, in quality of build and materials even before reputation is considered.
Maybe he doesn't realize that?
But it's tantamount to re-painting a vintage Mustang or Camaro in your garage with a spray can and thinking it'll pass muster with serious buyers.