Broken acoustic bridge!

[AKA Ninja]

So I went to tune up my acoustic at a jam today, and didn't realize why it wouldn't tune up ... until I realized the bridge was effing ripping off the body!! It's MY fault for leaving it in a hot car for a few hours, so the glue on the bridge could loosen up. At least, I PRESUME this is how it happened. Check it out:





Does *ANYONE* have any suggestions on how to fix this? I've removed the strings after taking these pictures, and the visible lift off the bridge is still quite visible. It looks like the damage is already done, and the bridge is going to need to be completely replaced. I don't play my acoustic very often, so I don't need it right away ... but it *@$%& broke on me TODAY, when I NEEDED the damned thing!

 

Anyway, anybody have any suggestions?

[Chris]

Id pull it the rest of the way off, and then glue it back.

Id also wait for GPW's advise.

[AKA Ninja]

Id pull it the rest of the way off, and then glue it back.

Id also wait for GPW's advise.

Yeah he's the one I'm really waiting on here. I fully expect this to require a professional's service.

[thebird55]

I knew the heat and humidity were rough today, but...   
...that sucks.

I'd consider loaning mine, but you're about an hour and a half away.

By the way, what kind is it?

[Mr. Big]

A-B epoxy works well.

remember even if it sets in 5 min

it takes 24 hours to dry.

[AKA Ninja]

I knew the heat and humidity were rough today, but...   
...that sucks.

I'd consider loaning mine, but you're about an hour and a half away.

By the way, what kind is it?

Jay Turner. Never heard of the brand until I picked it up at Gorilla in Columbus. Nice one, for the price anyway.

And don't sweat it; I hardly ever touch the thing, to be honest. I only needed it today because the punk dude specifically told me to bring my acoustic, 'cause that's how he does his songwriting. (Now I have to record demo tracks and ship them to him instead ...   )

[AKA Ninja]

A-B epoxy works well.

remember even if it sets in 5 min

it takes 24 hours to dry.

The issue at hand isn't so much what epoxy to use, I figure that there are plenty; the issue is that the bridge is *bent* ... and I'm wondering if there's a decent way to clamp it back into shape while gluing, or if I'm better off gingerly removing and replacing the bridge with a new one.

Like I said, I need me a luthier's assistance!

[thebird55]

Looks like it 'cupped'. Is the whole thing like that, or just this end?

[AKA Ninja]

Looks like it 'cupped'. Is the whole thing like that, or just this end?

It's like that all the way across, from the left side to the right; the back is rolling up on a slight curve, centered on the string pegs. I'm pretty sure that the pressure of the strings being re-tuned (after having slacked due to thermal expansion) is what curled it up, not the heat itself.

[thebird55]

I saw an Epiphone PR100 bridge come up like that, but it didn't cup. It was glued for reenforcement and left like it was. The owner didn't really play it. I played it a lot. High action, but nice tone, for a beater.

[GPW]

   Bridge roll (where the top rolls/warps up behind the bridge ) is pretty common on acoustics over time (hot car storage doesn't help a bit , since most of the guitar glues become thermoplastic and soften  at higher temperatures) .... Bad design of the bracing really ...  Sometimes it gets so bad it pulls the bridge off   (as seen here)  Usually it only raises your action (grrrr!)
  You can either remove the bridge  (using a heated spatula or wide flat knife ) to soften the remaining glue and lever the bridge off...  probably the best way .... OR  just get an empty hypodermic needle (no needle) and shoot some glue under the lifted area and either weight (brick ) or clamp down the bridge till good and dry (24hrs +)... I would not use epoxy , just a good wood glue like TB3, is fine  and plenty strong ...
 So remove the strings (done) , pop the bridge off , sand any  glue off the bottom of the bridge , Carefully scrape/sand  the dried glue off the guitar top , blue masking tape over  the good area protects the rest of the top ... Once both mating surfaces are clean (back to bare wood ), then add the glue to both , and clamp /weight till dry ...
 That should do it !!!
  Now fixing the bridge roll is "tricky" , and you'll have to use something like the Bridge doctor from StewMac.. http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Special_tools_for:_Bridges/JLD_Bridge_Doctor.html?actn=100101&xst=3&xsr=503
     You'll notice acoustic guitars with regular end tailpieces, do not exhibit this symptom ... since the bridge pressure is more downward than horizontal ...
   I always wonder why they still make guitars this way ... seen too many acoustics with bridge roll , even on Expensive acoustics..

 Best way to prevent this is to de-tune the guitar to alleviate tension during long periods of storage(in a cool area)  ... PIA really , better design would solve all the problems ...

 Hope that helps ...

Ps. I'm currently working with my pal Vinney (NOGC) on an acoustic with a carbon fiber tube set up similar to the bridge doctor.. built in from the start to prevent this...

Psps.. If the bridge itself is warped , then you may want to replace it ...

[AKA Ninja]

That should do it !!!

As usual, GPW, you are a zen master of gear repair. Thanks much.

You bring up a good point re: the way they built the bridge on this guitar ... Do you think there'd be any huge consequence if I was to remove the existing post & bridge combination, replace it with a simple bridge piece, and then attach an old-school metal string holder at the rear of the guitar, attached with the rear strap button... like this one here?



I figure there must be some reason why only the super-cheap acoustics come like this ... what's the disadvantage in using a metal string-thru like that with a simple fixed bridge, over what most of them come with (like mine has)? ...

[GPW]

 Regrettably , the guitar must be designed for a tailpiece (more neck angle , higher bridge ) , adding one to a standard guitar might not have enough downward pressure  (break angle ) to hold the strings on the bridge ... 

[AKA Ninja]

Bummer

Oh well ... I'll see what I Can do about this at some point. Like I say, I don't use it much, so I'm gonna let it sit until I Can be sure it's done right. Acoustics, unlike electrics, aren't fond of my style of "hack on it with something big and sharp" method of fixing 

[GPW]

 AK, too bad you're not a little closer ,  I would fix it for you for free ... pretty simple once you've done it a couple dozen times ...