Acoustic guitar repair

Epitaph

Hi everyone. I've a small issue with my acoustic guitar - I'll try and describe it but my grasp of TEH L33T T3RMINoG0y is non-existent

Near the 'base' of the guitar, where the strings are attached to the sound box, there's a small slanted raised thingy that determines the 'start' of the string. I can't think of the right name, sorry.

However over time it's become fairly chipped, mostly due to changing strings, and I'd like to replace it.

Question is, how difficult is it to replace said thingy?

OR

Should I bring it to a music shop and let the professionals fiddle with it? Wouldn't mind getting the fret bars reduced a bit - E's become nearly unplayable near the base of the fret-board.

Thanx in advance,
Ep.

Giblet

The Bridge as it's called, can be removed, as can the plastic part to, but heres your problem. GLUE! It will be stuck right in there, it's usually placed into two holes on either side of it. Now if you can get it out, it is easy to replace. Just go into a guitar shop and buy the piece you need, and measure it before you start hacking your guitar to pieces. And make sure you have the right height for it. But if you are unsure if you can do it or not, bring it to a repair shop.

RicardoSmith

I would suggest bringing it to a repair shop, most quitar shops know someone that repairs quitars. While if you know what you are doing removing the bridge isn't that difficult, theres a strong risk of making a real mess of it if you don't know what you are doing.

Epitaph

Thanks lads, will probably leave it in somewhere once I get paid this month!

SOL

Or you could just go and take your original bridge into waltons or somewhere get one that looks remotley like it, and a file and keep going until they are the same,
Works for me

RicardoSmith

Originally posted by SOL
Or you could just go and take your original bridge into waltons or somewhere get one that looks remotley like it, and a file and keep going until they are the same,
Works for me

As a matter of interest, how do you, yourself, get the bridge off?

SOL

Meh fingers, I did have the slight advantage that my Guitar was 25 or so years old so any glue that may at somestage have been there wasn't there any more, but from what i've seen its not so hard, a stanly and a pliers

Crash

Tbh the method i use involves a hammer, a chopstick and a cloth

use the cloth the protect the actual piece from getting damaged. use the chopstick to apply the pressure only to the part you want replaced, and slowly gently hammer it out. works for the top nut, you'd need something smaller than a chopstick for the bridge.

loveheartsandnicotine

You could try Derek Nelson in Marley Park......he is a brill guitar builder and not as expensive as you would imagine. He builds and repairs both accoustic and electric......he built mine Thing is I still have to learn to play it properly.
If ya have no luck with the other options you should look him up

RicardoSmith

Originally posted by loveheartsandnicotine
You could try Derek Nelson in Marley Park......he is a brill guitar builder and not as expensive as you would imagine. He builds and repairs both accoustic and electric......he built mine Thing is I still have to learn to play it properly.
If ya have no luck with the other options you should look him up

Actually hes been recommended to me before when I needed some routing work done fitting new pickups. Unfortuately I didn't go to him : (

loveheartsandnicotine

Originally posted by RicardoSmith
Actually hes been recommended to me before when I needed some routing work done fitting new pickups. Unfortuately I didn't go to him : (

Well do urslf a favour and go see him.he is the most friendly man alive and soo interested in whatever make u have.
I have an original 1976 nelson, I think its custom made..he built it himself, this was before he has minions to do his work.he reconditions it from time to time...but i wont let him touch the enamel...its worn and smoke coloured now...he keeps telling me i need to.but NEVER!( Way too many memories)
Anyway I promise u, he will make your guitar the most wonderful thing u have ever handled
oh and btw? Gary Moore, Phil Lynott and brush shiels have all used a nelson guitar...LOL im not sure if thats a good thing (brush)