Sagging soundboard old Stella

[SmellyCat]

Hi, I’m saving an old Stella. It may be a 1959 from trying to match pictures. It is sort of arch top setup with strings tie to tail piece The bridge is pushing the sound board down when I string it up. Any thoughts? I’m thinking on wedging some wood under the bridge. Thx

[SmellyCat]

Here is picture.

/https://link.shutterfly.com/4MaJzYygkHb

/https://link.shutterfly.com/4MaJzYygkHb[/IMG]

My

[phavriluk]

I think that wedging the soundboard to resolve the sagging would be fine if the guitar was going to go up on the wall as sculpture. Not if it's going to be played, as that top vibrating up and down makes the music.

[SmellyCat]

It is odd that the top is so weak. I put on slinky strings. Maybe nylon strings would work. Right now the top is going in and the back is bulging out. I’m running a humidifier by it, with loose strings by it today .

[phavriluk]

Any chance of getting a borescope inside the box for a look-see? That would be the first thing I'd do before choosing a 'fix' without any information.

[Fathand]

Originally Posted by phavriluk

Any chance of getting a borescope inside the box for a look-see? That would be the first thing I'd do before choosing a 'fix' without any information.

Or a cellphone? If I want a pic of the inside top , I put my cellphone in, on selfie mode, and say cheese.