Members outdoorgb Posted June 26, 2009 Members Share Posted June 26, 2009 I picked up a beater off craigslist...nice guitar, straight neck, no damage, plays great wtih action about .125+" (8/64ths)at the 12th fret...But I later noticed the saddle was short...as in not much sticking out of the bridge. It's playable but I can see the top is buldged. Not in a localized area but all around the top behind the bridge. If I hold a straight edge across the top there are two gaps equal to about .250" on the outsides of the guitar (top and bottom). Has anyone ever humidified a guitar and then put weight/clamps on a bulged top to try and get some of it out? I'm thinking a slow process say 1-2 months with a Planet Waves humidifier and some weight... Or am I just pounding sand?Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members C70man Posted June 26, 2009 Members Share Posted June 26, 2009 You can take a bow out of a top, especially if its primarily under the bridge. I know, I did it. I removed a bridge and then check the bracing. a couple of months of adding weight evenly on the top seemed to bring it back to normal. I reglued the bridge and actually had a brace reinforced with tape where it was bowing the most. It hasn't moved since. Worth a try if you don't have money into it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Freeman Keller Posted June 26, 2009 Members Share Posted June 26, 2009 I picked up a beater off craigslist...nice guitar, straight neck, no damage, plays great wtih action about .125+" (8/64ths)at the 12th fret...But I later noticed the saddle was short...as in not much sticking out of the bridge.It's playable but I can see the top is buldged. Not in a localized area but all around the top behind the bridge. If I hold a straight edge across the top there are two gaps equal to about .250" on the outsides of the guitar (top and bottom).Or am I just pounding sand?Thanks Two things in your post concern me. First, your action is a bit on the high side and you don't have much saddle sticking out - that says you need a neck reset. Second, the presence of a bulge behind the bridge is often a sign that you need a neck reset. My D12-28 had both a low saddle and a bit of a belly. I tried a Bridge Doctor to reduce the belly (didn't work and added other issues) - when I broke down and had the neck reset it also greatly reduced the belly. Even if a reset does not reduce the bulge it will change the angle enough that your action is acceptable. It is also possible that you have loose top brace - tap on the top in different spots and listen for rattles. Last thought is that a severly over humidified guitar can have a bit of a bulge, but I would expect other issues too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarcapo Posted June 28, 2009 Members Share Posted June 28, 2009 READ THIS ...and this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Grant Harding Posted June 28, 2009 Members Share Posted June 28, 2009 I've tried flattening the soundboard with strategically placed cauls and clamps, used humidity to "soften" the lot, then dehumidified after a few weeks and managed to get permanent results on a couple of Yamaha beaters, but it's a really hit and miss affair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mc5nrg Posted June 29, 2009 Members Share Posted June 29, 2009 The late Dale Bluebond who was a skilled and dedicated luthier in Philadelphia brought down the bulge in the top of my Gibson LG1 for me. RIP Dale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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