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Got a free broken guitar
http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10137&t=54843		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  gargouilles [ Sat Mar 19, 2022 1:10 am ]
Post subject:  Got a free broken guitar
Hi, I'm new to the forum and a novice guitarist. I'm looking for a luthier in MA, NYC, CT or RI to potentially fix a broken guitar I got from my sibling.

I think maybe the nut broke at some point, because it seems like it's got super glue on it. The bridge is split and someone definitely tried to fix it with superglue there. It didn't work. It's got some other dings, but it should be playable with the nut & bridge repaired. here's the nut & bridge, I was able to remove the end of a string and the bridge pin after it snapped off and got stuck

Can you give me a rough estimate of how much you think it would cost to repair? In your opinion, is it even worth putting money into it if it was free and originally worth ~$450? Is this something I could repair at home? I have very little experience woodworking & I'm not a luthier, but I have an overconfident dad who thinks he can fix it himself after watching some youtube videos.

Thank you so much for any help or advice
Author:  joshnothing [ Sat Mar 19, 2022 5:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Got a free broken guitar
I can’t advise on the prices for repair work where you live, I’m in a different country.

If someone brought this guitar into my workshop I’d advise them that they could find an excellent condition used example of the same model for less than it would cost to have me repair this broken one.
Author:  Lou Thier [ Tue Mar 22, 2022 6:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Got a free broken guitar
Don’t want to be a Debbie Downer but it looks like the bridge has broken and been glued? Maybe from a high saddle pressing on the front of the bridge?! It also looks as if the saddle area has been routed for a diff saddle or??? This could get expensive for a free guitar, but it’s all do-able. Just up to you. Good luck


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Author:  Lou Thier [ Tue Mar 22, 2022 6:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Got a free broken guitar
To fabricate a custom bridge (including slotting for the saddle and pickup) remove old bridge and install new one- I’d say $275-350 including setup plus New nut- 50 plus material and strings- $75ish.


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Author:  gargouilles [ Wed Mar 23, 2022 1:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Got a free broken guitar
Lou Thier wrote:
Don’t want to be a Debbie Downer but it looks like the bridge has broken and been glued? Maybe from a high saddle pressing on the front of the bridge?! It also looks as if the saddle area has been routed for a diff saddle or??? This could get expensive for a free guitar, but it’s all do-able. Just up to you. Good luck


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk



I'm totally speculating here because I certainly don't know much about guitars and I wasn't paying much attention to them until pretty recently, but from what I've gathered, I think the version of the guitar I have is an early model—newer models have a differently shaped bridge. I suspect that I'm not the only one who had the saddle split, thus they changed the bridge. That's just my guess, though.
Author:  FlyingFred [ Wed Mar 23, 2022 2:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Got a free broken guitar
You also have to consider that the bridge plate (located under the bridge, glued to the soundboard) is probably shot (looking at the string that is stuck in there). Add another $100 to your estimate.
Author:  gargouilles [ Wed Mar 23, 2022 12:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Got a free broken guitar
FlyingFred wrote:
You also have to consider that the bridge plate (located under the bridge, glued to the soundboard) is probably shot (looking at the string that is stuck in there). Add another $100 to your estimate.


I was able to reach inside the soundhole and push the bridge pin & string out. the bridge is still split, but none of the strings or bridge pins are stuck anymore
Author:  FlyingFred [ Wed Mar 23, 2022 5:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Got a free broken guitar
Did you put a mirror in the instrument to be able to see if the bridge plate is split between the string holes? That is what I meant with my previous comment…
Author:  RusRob [ Sun Mar 27, 2022 5:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Got a free broken guitar
gargouilles,
Unfortunately this is a cheap guitar and not something you would want to put much money into.

This is the type of guitar I would take in and repair in my spare time just to give it away to someone who isn't fortunate enough to buy one. I have been doing this kind of thing for years when ever I come across a free guitar. But to charge someone to fix it is not anything I (or many other luthiers) would even consider.

This is just not a job that most pro luthiers would want to touch since you would be spending more on it that the guitar is even worth.


On a different note, If you have any interest in repairing guitars this would be a great candidate to start with. You wouldn't have to put much into it except time. A great way to learn and its how I got my start.

Bob
Author:  Mark Mc [ Thu Apr 14, 2022 6:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Got a free broken guitar
I suggest that you let your overconfident Dad have a go at fixing it. He might impress and surprise you with the result, and then you will both be happy. If he fails you will not really be any worse off.
Author:  phavriluk [ Thu Apr 14, 2022 8:34 am ]
Post subject:  My opinions:
If Dad can get the old bridge off without inflicting damage to the rest of the guitar, he's on his way. The broken bridge can be a pattern for someone to make a replacement with a bit more bridge wood in front of the saddle. Then Dad can watch some more videos and install the new bridge. The guitar can then be passed along to a luthier for setup and intonation adjustments. So long as the bridge gets the saddle in the right place, there's hope. Don't ignore the bridge plate inside.
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