#1
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How significant is this bridge lift?
I just received a 2007 Larrivee LV-03 that I purchased on Reverb. Cosmetically, its in great shape, but I think it has suffered from some long term dehydration. I noticed after changing the strings that the bridge is lifting. You can see in the photos. I slipped a piece of paper under it to show how far the separation goes.
I have been in communication with the seller and am planning on taking it my luthier later in the week, but I wanted to get some opinions on how significant this looks. I'm hoping for a simple clamp and glue as opposed to needing to take the bridge off. In the meantime, its getting well hydrated here until it gets to the shop. https://imgur.com/a/rCI25 |
#2
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I feel any bridge lift is significant.Its not like its gonna glue itself back down and get better.
As a matter of fact I just got through replacing a lifting bridge on my Martin D Jr. While I was at it I replaced the stock composite bridge with an ebony. A good luthier will actually form the bridge to the top. No such thing as a perfectly flat top. I love Larrivees. Good luck with the bridge repair. |
#3
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You may be able to have it reglued without pulling it off.
Loosten the strings and get it to a Tech ASAP.
__________________
Happiness Is A New Set Of Strings L-20A |
#4
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Kriso, that should definitely get glued down. Only a good repair tech can tell you for sure whether you’ll be able to get by with a simple glue-and-clamp repair or if the bridge will have to be removed, sanded and re-glued to the top. But from what I could see in the photos, it doesn’t look as though the wood of the bridge has deformed to the point where the more drastic, expensive repair will be needed.
I have had a couple of guitars have their bridges lift like that, but was able to get away with the simpler clamp it down repair. In other words, the bridge on that guitar doesn’t look too far gone at this point. Let us know what your repair tech decides to do. whm |
#5
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I do think you're "there" with respect to getting it repaired. I notice that the lift extends the entire section of the bridge and that even the end is lifting so you have the length pulling up. That would get me to the repair guy, for sure.
__________________
1993 Bourgeois JOM 1967 Martin D12-20 2007 Vines Artisan 2014 Doerr Legacy 2013 Bamburg FSC- 2002 Flammang 000 12 fret 2000 McCollum Grand Auditorium ______________________________ Soundcloud Spotify |
#6
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Doesn't look too serious in my opinion. More of a cosmetic issue.
If those are the only areas where it is unglued, it is still 90% stuck to the top. If you like the sound of the guitar and can put up with the looks, then, you probably don't have to get it fixed right away. The bridge is only tilting forward and would probably stay like that for years. A bridge cannot pull off the top of a guitar except by catastrophic top failure. The balls of the strings and all the pins would have to pull up through the pin holes, in the top of the guitar, all at the same time for the bridge to pull off. The pin holes, in the top of the guitar, are too small for the balls and pins to come up through the holes together. |
#7
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The bridge should be removed and reglued. You can expect to pay around $100 for that to be done by a professional.
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#8
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Quote:
I agree with the charles Tauber post above. Simple 'glue and clamp' jobs don't always work well because the 2 surfaces have old dried glue on them that is difficult to remove with the bridge in place. Removing the bridge entirely means all the old dried glue can be removed and the 2 surfaces can be properly cleaned which will allow the new glue to bond more efficiently. Re gluing a bridge is not really difficult but removing it neatly and cleanly is the tricky part and does require skill.
__________________
Brucebubs 1972 - Takamine D-70 2014 - Alvarez ABT60 Baritone 2015 - Kittis RBJ-195 Jumbo 2012 - Dan Dubowski#61 2018 - Rickenbacker 4003 Fireglo 2020 - Gibson Custom Shop Historic 1957 SJ-200 2021 - Epiphone 'IBG' Hummingbird |
#9
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Ditto on getting it fixed. If it were my guitar, I would slacken the strings. It may not fail immediately and I've seen guitars with lifting bridges stay stable for a long time, but why take the risk?
__________________
Bill Guitars: 1910's Larson/Stetson 1 size guitar 1920 Martin 1-28 1987 Martin Schoenberg Soloist 2006 Froggy Bottom H-12 Deluxe 2016 Froggy Bottom L Deluxe 2021 Blazer and Henkes 000-18 H 2015 Rainsong P12 2017 Probett Rocket III 2006 Sadowsky Semi Hollow 1993 Fender Stratocaster Bass: 1993 Sadowsky NYC 5 String Mandolin: Weber Bitterroot |
#10
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I don't think it's only cosmetic.
I had similar lift in my old Yamaha. I continued playing and within a year, it was lifting much more causing it to go out of tune. It was ready to come out. Fix it asap.
__________________
Acoustic-Electric: Yamaha FGX800C, Jim Dandy. Seagull S6. Electric: Schecter C1+, Aria Pro II Fullerton. |
#11
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Bridge Lift
It absolutely needs to be repaired.
I would definitely get an estimate and tell the seller that you expect compensation if there was no mention of it in the listing. That is certainly something that should have been disclosed.
__________________
1995 Taylor 412 1995 Taylor 612C Custom, Spruce over Flamed Maple 1997 Taylor 710 1968 Aria 6815 12 String, bought new |
#12
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I know there are repair people who will do it, but that always seems like a bad idea to me. The remaining glue might not be in great shape and there's really no way to know how soundly the bridge is attached when the repair is done as you described. To my thinking, the "clamp and glue" (as you called it) is a penny wise, dollar foolish repair that would leave me always wondering when that saddle is going to finally give way. I'd want it removed completely, cleaned up, and reglued.
__________________
Jim 2023 Iris ND-200 maple/adi 2017 Circle Strings 00 bastogne walnut/sinker redwood 2015 Circle Strings Parlor shedua/western red cedar 2009 Bamburg JSB Signature Baritone macassar ebony/carpathian spruce 2004 Taylor XXX-RS indian rosewood/sitka spruce 1988 Martin D-16 mahogany/sitka spruce along with some electrics, zouks, dulcimers, and banjos. YouTube |
#13
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It definitely needs to be repaired properly.
Did the seller provide an "inspect and return" period? Do you have PayPal buyer protection in place? I would not accept the sale if this problem was not disclosed prior to you agreeing to purchase it. If you like the guitar, and the seller is willing to pay for the repair, I would be OK with having a competent repair tech do the job. |
#14
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Quote:
Quote:
Whatever you decide, good luck with getting the matter, or the guitar, fixed.
__________________
Tom '21 Martin D-18 Standard | '02 Taylor 814c | '18 Taylor 214ceDLX | '18 Taylor 150e-12 | '78 Ibanez Dread (First acoustic) | '08 CA Cargo | '02 Fender Strat American '57 RI My original songs |
#15
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The bridge on my 12 string was lifting like the OP's, not a lot but coming up,... sadly there is no short cut to right.
It's off now and I'm prep-ing to reglue. Thought I'd use hide glue and see if there's an advantage soundwise on this guitar. |