https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/cracked-bridge/ Guitar Noise Discussion Board en-US Thu, 04 Jun 2026 15:17:08 +0000 wpForo 60 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/cracked-bridge/#post-75743 Fri, 12 Nov 2004 05:41:59 +0000 Stew-Mac -- bridge, clamp, clamping caul, glue, palate knife and instructional video/book. It'll all probably cost less than paying for a professional replacement. It's not really that difficult -- safely removing the old bridge is the trickiest part. I recently performed a bridge removal and re-gluing on one of my own guitars, because I couldn't find a local luthier to do it. Nevertheless, only attempt a bridge replacement if you have some reasonable experience and self-confidence in wood gluing and finishing.

One more thing -- if the split is separating, it may indicate the top is bellying (bowing outward under string tension). This might require more repair than just a bridge replacement, e.g., brace re-gluing, top flatting and/or special contouring of the new bridge. If the top seems pretty bellied, definitely take it to a luthier for a complete repair.

Good Luck - Greg]]> Guitar Repair and Maintenance gnease https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/cracked-bridge/#post-75743 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/cracked-bridge/#post-75741 Fri, 12 Nov 2004 05:37:13 +0000
If it's an old collectable guitar, some luthiers might shy away from replacing the whole thing; they'd rather 'restore' it. Might not be too expensive. You might take it down someplace and have an estimate done. The thing is though, if it plays well and doesn't buzz and the crack doesn't seem to be getting any wider, you might just leave it. It would also depend on how deep the split is. If it's just near the surface, a glue and clamp job might permanently fix it; if it's all the way down to the surface of the top and seems like it's going to pop off at any moment, then you might have to get it replaced. Replacing it will obviously be more costly and there's a chance it might alter the tone somewhat, so maybe have some luthier take a look at it first.]]> Guitar Repair and Maintenance DemoEtc https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/cracked-bridge/#post-75741 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/cracked-bridge/#post-75728 Fri, 12 Nov 2004 04:34:40 +0000 Guitar Repair and Maintenance kirk https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/cracked-bridge/#post-75728 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/cracked-bridge/#post-75702 Fri, 12 Nov 2004 00:35:46 +0000 Guitar Repair and Maintenance NoteBoat https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/cracked-bridge/#post-75702 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/cracked-bridge/#post-75681 Thu, 11 Nov 2004 22:51:04 +0000
Is the cracked piece actually the bridge -- that is, the wood piece (usually rosewood or ebony) glued to the top? Or is it just the saddle -- the bone or plastic piece that sits in a slot in the bridge and supports one end of the strings? If it is just the saddle this is a relatively inexpensive thing to replace -- less than $10 for the part.]]> Guitar Repair and Maintenance gnease https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/cracked-bridge/#post-75681 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/cracked-bridge/#post-75661 Thu, 11 Nov 2004 19:23:14 +0000
The last time I had a bridge replaced on an acoustic, it cost me $75.]]> Guitar Repair and Maintenance NoteBoat https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/cracked-bridge/#post-75661 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/cracked-bridge/#post-4871 Thu, 11 Nov 2004 19:19:37 +0000 Guitar Repair and Maintenance kirk https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/cracked-bridge/#post-4871