Shave the bridge or reset

[fronobulax]

A better player than I am said my B4CE needed a neck reset. It certainly needed help with intonation. One trusted source preferred not to express an opinion since their shop was not in a position to do the work. I did find another luthier who was willing to do a reset if one was needed. His solution was to fashion a new saddle. That solved the intonation problems and the bass remains playable (although it is not mine, just in the family). So for future reference we should probably be careful about whether we are talking about working on the saddle or shaving the bridge.

 

[Cougar]

I spoke with Mr Jacobs. I’m going to send the guitar down to him for the reset.

That is totally the right choice! As Tom mentioned, shaving the bridge basically ruins the bridge when a reset is needed in the future -- then you'll need a reset AND a new bridge. So, good choice, and good choice on a luthier to do the work! And welcome to the forum!

 

[Br1ck]

As said before, been there, done that. I happen to have a shop that was a Guild warranty repair shop for about thirty years in my area, and they did a fine job. It's been seven or eight years now, so I just had the frets dressed. I equate the older guitar experience to owning an old car. The 74 MG midget just provides a driving experience that is delightful. You get to put up with a lot of quirks for the reward. You can't buy old wood, and guitars haven't changed much. Go play some $1200 guitars and decide for yourself. I guess you already did. Right move IMHO, but I like people to do what I did.

Anything from the 70s is likely to need work. The MG is getting rebuilt one part at a time. Knew what I was getting into.

I am opposed to shaving bridges on all wood US Guitars. Any guitar really.