#1
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Radius bridge to soundboard mating surface
I am working my guitar that I started with my luthier friend who moved away 5 years ago with all his tools. I need to fit the bridge to the soundboard and don't have the radius fixture available to me. Is there any reason I can't put a sheet of sandpaper on my top in the area of the bridge and sand it in place? I could maybe put a paper towel under the sandpaper for extra protection. I'm probably 3 or 4 weeks away from this stage but want to plan ahead.
Thanks for any input. |
#2
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I have seen you tube videos, where that's what they did. I think that is the only way to get it to match.
Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk |
#3
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When my radiused block wasn't getting me a good fit, I put blue tape down on guitar for protection and did as you say, moving bridge back and forth on sandpaper. Worked Aok!
Sam |
#4
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That's what I do. Sanding usually doesn't get it quite perfect, but close enough that it doesn't take long to get there with some careful scraping. Use the coarsest sandpaper you can find.
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#5
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Cover the area well with low tack painters tape, then use a sheet of 100 grit stuck on with double sided tape. Don't press too too hard.
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#6
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Thanks all for the help. Sounds like it should work just fine. Using the low tack tape for protection is a great idea. I hadn't thought of that.
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#7
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My impression is that most experienced builders don't bother radiusing the underside of the bridge ... they leave the bridge flat and just clamp it with a flat caul underneath the bridgeplate.
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#8
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I've done both ways.
I think it depends a lot on how much you radius your top. These days, I radius the bottom of the bridge and use a radiused caul on a the inside that matches the top radius. |
#9
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Yep, that's how we do it. Works fine.
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#10
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I just glue it flat too. I've never used a radius that is so dramatic that it can't be glued flat. Sometimes repairs require it though as the tops have bellied considerably.
But yeah that sandpaper method is an old trick, especially for arch tops. It's nice to do the bulk of the work with a scraper. It's also a good idea to finish off the sanding marks with a scraper too. |