Bridge pulling away from guitar body - how bad is this?

[fazool]

I would return the guitar or demand a couple hundred dollar partial refund to get it fixed properly.

It depends how much the guitar is worth and how much you paid for it.

If you paid $1000 for a $1000 guitar I would return it. If you paid $100 for a $10000 guitar I would keep it. It depends,

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Rodger Knox

I did see that, but it doesn't look like a problem to me. It doesn't look big enough to get the corner of a piece of paper under the bridge. If you can't get a piece of paper 1/8" under the bridge, I'd say it's OK.

OK thanks. I'll try the paper test and report back.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by fazool

I would return the guitar or demand a couple hundred dollar partial refund to get it fixed properly.

It depends how much the guitar is worth and how much you paid for it.

If you paid $1000 for a $1000 guitar I would return it. If you paid $100 for a $10000 guitar I would keep it. It depends,

I paid $225 for a "new" Alvarez AD60 SHB. It goes for $329 on musician's friend.

[Theleman]

Originally Posted by fazool

"feeler" gauge

Thank you for your correction.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Rodger Knox

I did see that, but it doesn't look like a problem to me. It doesn't look big enough to get the corner of a piece of paper under the bridge. If you can't get a piece of paper 1/8" under the bridge, I'd say it's OK.

OK I tested it and was able to get the corner of a piece of paper 3/16" under it, so that's a touch more that 1/8" (roughly 1.5/8")

[1neeto]

That’s just unacceptable on a brand new guitar. My 70’s guitar has about that much clearance, but that’s a 40+ year old guitar!

[goodsteel53]

It's a matter of time, and NO... do NOT stuff in glue in the open crack! Painfully, because you hate being without it, but because it's the right thing to do... return it to Alvarez for repair. They'll pull the bridge, clean the surfaces and reglue the bridge. Ask for Jerry Proctor to do the work if possible. He's been with Alvarez for well over 20 years. Not what you want to hear, but if this guitar is speaking to you... have it fixed properly, under warranty and enjoy it for the rest of your life!

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by goodsteel53

It's a matter of time, and NO... do NOT stuff in glue in the open crack! Painfully, because you hate being without it, but because it's the right thing to do... return it to Alvarez for repair. They'll pull the bridge, clean the surfaces and reglue the bridge. Ask for Jerry Proctor to do the work if possible. He's been with Alvarez for well over 20 years. Not what you want to hear, but if this guitar is speaking to you... have it fixed properly, under warranty and enjoy it for the rest of your life!

Thanks. I am returning it.

[Rodger Knox]

Based on your paper test, returning it would be my recommendation.

[printer2]

Originally Posted by fazool

"feeler" gauge

But it filled the gap.

[Quickstep192]

As Louie sad, it may just be that their manufacturing process leaves a gap around the perimeter.

If GC has other Alvarez guitars, I’d go back and do the paper test on the same or similar models. If other Alvarez guitars have similar gaps, then your replacement is likely to have gaps and then you’re back to where you are.

[Theleman]

Originally Posted by printer2

But it filled the gap.

That's what I thought.

[phavriluk]

I think Quickstep192 offered a valid comment, it may well be that that's how the manufacturer makes them...We all hold ideals in our heads as to construction quality, but to expect an inexpensive mass producer to hold to the same standards as high-end manufacturers is hoping for something that is just not going to happen. The guitar in question may be within the tolerances the manufacturer sets. Doing the feeler-gauge test on others from the same manufacturer sounds like a good way to start to understand whether OP has found a problem or a feature.

[Theleman]

I have a few old acoustic guitars with deep gaps under the bridge, but they are solid, and they have been working like that for years without problem. I think that's how they make these things.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Quickstep192

As Louie sad, it may just be that their manufacturing process leaves a gap around the perimeter.

If GC has other Alvarez guitars, I’d go back and do the paper test on the same or similar models. If other Alvarez guitars have similar gaps, then your replacement is likely to have gaps and then you’re back to where you are.

there wasn't a gap on the left side of the bridge... Just the right. So I doubt it a mfg process.