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There's a difference between a belly and a hernia....

I don't get alarmed at what I would call a healthy load in a top, but what I see here is well out of that range in my opinion.

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Eschew obfuscation, espouse elucidation.

I'll ask again: is it stable, has it been like this for many years, or is it still growing?

I don't care how it looks, the answers to the above questions will tell us if it's bad or not.

BTW, "PMTE" stands for "Proulx Magic Tone Enhancer", thus named by New Mexico repairman, Bryan Kimsey. It's a stiff brace added right behind the bridge plate, and would really work well on this belly. Made of CF and cedar, it would add minimal mass(3-4 grams) yet really hold the area flat an stiff. and best of all, it's non-intrusive and 100% reversible.

Hesh, are they little blue things? I didn't know there was an installation involved!

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Mario
The belly appears to be stable and has been this way for the 5 years or so that I've owned it.
I asked about the Thompson belly reducer to see if anyone would chime in with a review or comments on weather it's a good idea or not.
I am very much welcoming all the different views on what should be done. Which I thank you all for doing.
The guitar is still playable with even a little bit of saddle left so I don't need to do any immediate repairs.
Is the brace behind the plate somthing that you could walk me through or is it truely a Mario only procedure?

Peter

I'm adding a PMTE to a guitar today or tomorrow, so I'll try to take a photo or two for you.

Hey Grumpy
Did you get an opportunity to do you PMTE?
Pictures would be greatly appreciated.
enquiring minds want to know
Peter

I made it, but haven't installed it yet. I did a little more brace shaving, and am evaluating that change for a while. Methinks it's not going to need the PMTE after all, though I will try it.