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Old 09-10-2021, 03:52 PM
sonisbetter sonisbetter is offline
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Default Repair or trash?

Thoughts on whether I should replace a cracked bridge on a $200 Art & Lutherie Ami parlor guitar with $100 matching hard case, or dump it in the trash. I can buy the right bridge from Godin for $15, but even if I did the job myself, I'd need to buy specialized clamps... I like the guitar just fine and it's great for travel, but I never choose it over the Martins....
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Old 09-10-2021, 03:56 PM
Dotneck Dotneck is offline
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That would be a good candidate if you’re interested in learning about guitar repair.
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Old 09-10-2021, 03:58 PM
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cliff_the_stiff cliff_the_stiff is offline
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If it’s trash or repair, maybe a normally unacceptable fix is acceptable when the alternative is to trash it…
Maybe put some super glue in the crack and then play it into the ground.
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Old 09-10-2021, 04:12 PM
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warfrat73 warfrat73 is offline
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You can make bridge clamping rig with some scrap wood and a few bolts, washers and nuts.

Basically a caul to go inside, one on top, some spacers that provide even pressure to the bridge, and some bolts or machine screws that fit through the bridge pin holes.
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Old 09-10-2021, 04:13 PM
printer2 printer2 is offline
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You do not need special clamps. Just fit two rectangular blocks of wood to fit snug under the bridge plate and put a weight on the bridge.



OK, not that much. This was gluing the sides to the top. Use masking tape to outline where the bridge should go,



add shims to the wings in order for the weight to be distributed evenly. Don't forget to profile the bottom of the bridge to the top (using sandpaper facing up in the top).



Might not be a bad idea to put a little wax paper undernieth the inner blocks in case the glue drips down the holes (likely) and glues the blocks to the bridge plate.
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Old 09-10-2021, 04:15 PM
Robin, Wales Robin, Wales is offline
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Think how much those $15 Kalamazoo guitars go for today (especially the ones with maple ply b/s) and look at your cheap Ami in a new light!

Repair it. It is a future vintage guitar!
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Old 09-10-2021, 04:47 PM
Brucebubs Brucebubs is offline
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As others have already mentioned - you don't need an expensive clamp to re-glue a bridge.

Look at this design that utilizes the existing holes for the bridge pins.



Now, no laughing but here's my home-made version that worked perfectly.

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Old 09-10-2021, 05:37 PM
sonisbetter sonisbetter is offline
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So clever! Thanks.
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Old 09-10-2021, 05:38 PM
sonisbetter sonisbetter is offline
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I love it! Thank you.
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Old 09-10-2021, 07:59 PM
gmel555 gmel555 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brucebubs View Post
As others have already mentioned - you don't need an expensive clamp to re-glue a bridge.
Now, no laughing but here's my home-made version that worked perfectly.
Not laughing Bruce, very impressive. "Saw it, copied it, used it!" Nicely done.
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Old 09-11-2021, 07:09 AM
sonisbetter sonisbetter is offline
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Guys, I ordered the bridge. I'm going in! Thanks for the thoughts and help.
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Old 09-11-2021, 04:09 PM
Brucebubs Brucebubs is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sonisbetter View Post
Guys, I ordered the bridge. I'm going in! Thanks for the thoughts and help.
Clean surfaces - Titebond Original - keep a damp (not wet!) rag handy to wipe off the excess glue as it squeezes out - give it a couple of days to dry - you might need to carefully clean up inside the pin holes where excess glue will have seeped around dried there.

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  #13  
Old 09-12-2021, 02:20 PM
sonisbetter sonisbetter is offline
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Thanks for the tip and video
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  #14  
Old 09-13-2021, 01:10 PM
DickHutchings DickHutchings is offline
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Find someone to clamp it for you. There are so many guitar builders these days, there's bound to be one close by that would attach it for for free or not too much money. It's only a 10 minute job if the surfaces and shape are good.
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