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Old 03-16-2009, 11:40 PM
John Arnold John Arnold is offline
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Removing the bridge will make it a lot easier to do a clean refinish. It is very difficult to sand the bare top properly, since that requires sanding with the grain. And buffing out the new lacquer close to the bridge is more complicated with the bridge attached.
I am not saying it couldn't or shouldn't be done, since many Spanish classical guitars are finished with the bridge attached. But they are rarely as clean-looking as those guitars that are finished before the bridge is glued on.
Quote:
Most luthiers, when removing a glued bridge, use a small silicone heating blanket
I have never seen the need to use a heat blanket for removing a bridge or fingerboard. A 250 watt heat lamp works just fine, using a corrugated white cardboard mask. The heating time will vary, depending on how dark-colored the bridge is, how thick it is, and how close the heat lamp is placed to the surface. Roughly, it takes 5 to 10 minutes to soften the glue (250 to 275 degrees F.), but you can get a good idea how hot it is by brushing some water on the surface. If it sizzles, it is hot enough.
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