Securing a Bridge On a Cheapo Classical

[mcknigs]

I rescued an ultra-cheap classical guitar from someone who was going to pitch it because it’s completely unplayable. The neck is not in great shape but part of the playability/intonation problem comes from the bridge and nut both being entirely too high. I’ll lower those to see if I can make this thing playable enough for a beginner student.

Another problem it has is that someone put steel strings on it, and I’m certain it was never intended for that. The back part of the bridge is raised slightly off the body. I think it would be a good idea to reattach it (which assumes it was ever actually attached – I see no remnants of glue under there). I don’t have clamps and I don’t have anything like hide glue. I suppose it would be best to try to clamp the bridge down to the body but it’s not lifting so high that it’s affecting the action. Perhaps, lacking clamps, I could use weight on the bridge to hold it down after gluing. I could see where that might cause other problems though. I’m thinking the best I could do would probably be to fill that area in with Elmer’s or wood glue or some such. It wouldn’t be great, but would probably be better than leaving the bridge only half attached. Keeping in mind that I don’t have pro tools to work with (or pro luthier chops), and that I’m just trying to save a crappy guitar from the trash, without having to pay (much) money to do it, what do y’all think I should do here?

-Scott

[Nuclearfishin]

A cheap method would be to use Titebond glue and to press it down as best as possible with weights, etc., however make sure you support the inside of the guitar so you don't crack it. Titebond is used by some of the best luthiers and is easily available at any hardware store. Make sure you use Titebond I. TB II and III are not very good for guitar building due to their elasticity and resistence to water.

If all else fails, try a fast drying epoxy and hold it down as best you can. This would be my last resort before throwing it in the trash.

Good luck!

[mcknigs]

Thanks for the response. To clarify, even if didn't do anything to re-affix the portion of the bridge that is slightly raised, I'd still probably try stringing it up and just hope that the part that is still affixed will be stong enough to hold six nylon strings tuned up to pitch.

-Scott

[mcknigs]

So I went over to my neighbors and started playing around with the clamps he had. None of them were right, but we were trying to jury rig something. As I looked more and more at the bridge I realized that it was not coming unglued because it had never been glued. There are a couple screws that go through from the top of the bridge to a block of wood in the guitar. The tops of the screws are covered with plugs. I'm just going to go ahead and put some nylon strings on this thing, adjust bridge and nut as well as I can, and find a kid to give it to.

-Scott