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Well, my guitar has been sitting in the corner for a couple of weeks now and as I’m checking the intonation, I realize that My bridge placement is about .25” too close to the soundhole. I’m not sure how I missed this initially (probably only measuring and not measuring again and again), but I need to move the bridge down about .25”.

The bridge is not glued on at this time (It’s bolted on), so hopefully that will simplify things. I have drilled through the top and the bridge plate for all of the bridge pin holes so if I relocate the bridge I will have to re-drill the new holes.

My question is what should I do about the existing holes?
Do I leave them and not worry about them?
Should I fill them? (And if so is there a recommended procedure for filling them?)

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Thanks,
Blain

http://www.ullrichguitar.com

"89.67% of all statistics are made up on the spot."

OOOH!  That sounds like a problem to me.  I hope someone has a good answer for you.  I wouldn't have a clue.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

I would like to add that the existing holes, would still be covered by the bridge at it's new location so cosmetics are not an issue.

Thanks Waddy. Hopefully someone will know what I can do.

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Thanks,
Blain

http://www.ullrichguitar.com

"89.67% of all statistics are made up on the spot."

My only concern would be that moving it would put the bridge "bold-on" holes too close to the old pin holes, making a weak spot in the top by the time all of the holes are there.  That's 16 holes, total.  That's a lot of holes in a small area.  I think I might replace the bridge patch under the top.  I know it wouldn't be easy, but seems like it would solve the strength problem.  Don't take my "thinking out loud" as advice, cause I really don't know.  Just trying to commiserate.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Do you mean 1/4 " off ??
If so I'd plug the holes .
Mike

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Mike Collins

I think you should plug the holes or you run the risk of the ball ends,from your new holes, hitting the new holes. Perhaps rattling, splitting the plate, etc.
What to fill them with? Stew Mac makes a bridge plate repair set that cuts a little plug to fit into a little "dimple" that it makes. Pretty cool but may be too expensive for your purpose. You could find a plug cutter that makes quite small plugs and go that route. You'll likely have to drill out the holes a bit bigger.
Or you could fill them with epoxy and be done with it.
I think any way you go will be a good solution.

Blain,

If this guitar is for yourself, here's what I'd do. You do need to fill the holes in both the soundboard and the bridge plate. First, laminate some of your top material and bridge plate material and sand to the proper thickness plus a little. Next, use a plug cutter to make plugs the same size as your bridge pin holes and glue the plugs in. Sand everything smooth-inside and out, relocate the bridge, and you should be fine. If after you get the bridge relocated and the pins in, they are too close to the patched holes, put a continuous piece of your bridgeplate material over the patched holes. This is to prevent the bridge plate from cracking between the patched holes and the new holes, if they are too close together. I hope this makes sense.

If the guitar is for someone else, you need to patch the top and replace the bridgeplate, IMO. Good luck.

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Jimmy Caldwell
http://www.caldwellguitars.com

Thanks everyone.

Yes the guitar is for myself so I think what all of you have Outlined will work. A lesson learned so now when I get to this point on #2, hopefully I won't make this same mistake again.

Paul, I'm tempted to try the Epoxy as you mentioned. Do you think it would be about as good as plugging, or would the extra work to plug the holes be worth it?

_________________
Thanks,
Blain

http://www.ullrichguitar.com

"89.67% of all statistics are made up on the spot."

     If you only need to move .250 the holes shouldn't be visible . You can use the dust superglue fill. Tape the holes from the inside , so you can take some wood dust , drop in some dust and add super glue. You fill the voids , sand flat and glue in your bridge where it belongs and start over
john hall
call me if you have any questions
check my site for the number

Thanks John.

That sounds simple enough and I know I've got plenty of sawdust laying around. I'll give it a try tonight.

_________________
Thanks,
Blain

http://www.ullrichguitar.com

"89.67% of all statistics are made up on the spot."

My concern would be that since you are 'only' moving it 1/4" the new pin holes will be basically touching the old holes. The string end will rest on the weak spot between the holes, or even on the old hole which would cause it to pull through the bridge plate and top, and then rest on the bottom of the bridge.  That would put all of the string tension on the bridge itself, and I would guess the glue would fail rather quickly and dramatically. I would definately fill the holes and would think about a bridge plate patch.  If you were moving the bridge in the opposite direction, closer to the neck, then the old holes would be behind the new holes and this wouldn't be an issue.  Just my 2 cents.

That was my concern too.  Lots of holes in a small space, very close together, and on the same line of grain in the top.  I know the bridgeplate is cross grained, but you still have 12 holes in two lines only 1/4" apart center to center, which only leaves about 1/32 - 1/16 between holes at the most if they don't touch.  STM that that produces a real weak spot under the bridge if you don't patch or replace the bridgeplate.

Geez, I'm doing this like I know what I'm talking about. Somebody tell me to shut-up until I learn something!

_________________
Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Plug the holes. allow them to cure and trim to true flush inside and out. sand if necessary. relocate the bridge in proper location. Measure to insure and measure again. Once the bridge is in location and the glue surface is scraped clean of finish and glue. Glue the bridge in place and allow to cure. This will give the plugs some added strength. Then predrill the pin holes with a 1/8" bit. carefully use your reamer to bring the hole tapered diameter to finial size. all will be fine