Guys, we were discussing a bridge separation in the thread below and I decided to start a new thread... IMO, we need an answer to this before further discussion of what's going on here with the Asian-made acoustics, and whether it's "acceptable" or not. Well, let's just say I need to know, at least. . See the original discussion below in the link...
So, what's the deal? Are (or are not) the Asian manufacturers gluing the bridges onto the guitars right on top of the poly finish(es) they use? In other words, do they (or do they not) prep/strip the surface of finished soundboards before applying the bridge to the guitar. I don't think any US built Guild acoustic has ever been built this way; finish has always been stripped (or taped off in the paint booth) to provide a bare wood surface for the joint, but then we're talking apples and oranges with US built guitars being (mostly) NCL-finished.
For the record, Joining a block of rosewood to a finished surface (for a guitar, that is) with glue sounds like pure folly to me. And, if I'm wrong, how do you remove said bridge(s) to do replacements of fixes eventually?
So, what's the deal? Are (or are not) the Asian manufacturers gluing the bridges onto the guitars right on top of the poly finish(es) they use? In other words, do they (or do they not) prep/strip the surface of finished soundboards before applying the bridge to the guitar. I don't think any US built Guild acoustic has ever been built this way; finish has always been stripped (or taped off in the paint booth) to provide a bare wood surface for the joint, but then we're talking apples and oranges with US built guitars being (mostly) NCL-finished.
For the record, Joining a block of rosewood to a finished surface (for a guitar, that is) with glue sounds like pure folly to me. And, if I'm wrong, how do you remove said bridge(s) to do replacements of fixes eventually?
Ralf said:I wouldn't say all as I simply don't know, but rosewood bridges glued with CA to the poly top is common in China factories. Actually a rosewood bridge to a poly finish has a strong bond using CA!Ralf, are you saying the all these GADs/100s/Westerly series (primarily MIC) acoustics are made like this? With the bridge just glued right to the finished top????
Can't say what the glue was in the example above, also we don't know where that picture is from as GG didn't provide a link to further look.
I remember for instance this example, guess why the poly finish was pulling away...
Ralf
The finish is pulling away from the top under the bridge of my Westerly D-1212.
I figure I need to cut through the finish next to the bridge and attempt to glue down the finish before pulling the bridge off so more finish does not pull up in the process of repair. I'm a watchmaker, so have the skills and tools to do a decent job of this. I figure a modified Exacto knife or...
letstalkguild.com