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I noticed that the front of the bridge overhangs the bridge plate about 1/2" or so where the saddle will sit. Is this a big problem? I hope not. If so, what can I do to alleviate this problem, alter the scale length? The Guitar is a Weissenborn Style. Your thoughts on this matter would be appreciated.

Ron M.

Will the bridge pins still go through the plate?

if so i think you will get away with it.
the main function of the bridge patch is after all to stop the pins damaging the top.

maybe someone else can help with how it may effect the guitar in a structeral sense.

joel.

Hi Joel,
Yes, the bridge pins will still go through the plate. most of the bridge is above the bridge plate except 1/2" in the front. Thanks


Hi Todd,
Do you think that it may effect the guitar structurally If I allow the front to overhang 1/2"?

I could increase the scale length to 26 to make up for the 1/2" overhang, but will have to order a new board. Thanks.

Ron M.

Correction, I could increase the scale length to 25.5" and It should fit right over the bridge plate.

Ron M.

So I gather this was a 24.9 or 25.0 scale that you had planed out?

As you likely figured out the only structural issue with the bridge hanging forward of the bridge plate is the loss of reinforcement against the rotational pull of the strings. If you do not want increase the scale you can add a plate or cross brace above the bridge plate but this is added weight. Changing scale is probably the best solution.

Thanks for your reply Michael,
Yes, the original scale was 25.0

I agree, I'll change the scale to 25.5 and that should put the bridge back a little. Thanks everyone for your help.

Ron M.

Thanks for the offer Todd, I appreciate It.

Ron M.

Classical guitars use bridge plates and they (typically) don't have pins...

Bridge plates exist (primarily) to add strength to the top directly beneath the bridge. Think about the bridge....a massive (compared to the top thickness) piece of wood with a LOT of forces that wants to rip it off the top.

The bridge plate makes the top more resistant to the forces that want to tear the bridge off the top.

Joe

Many Classical builders do not use bridge patches or bars or anything like that, as they do not, on a classical guitar, serve the same purpose as on a steel string. Some, even, think that it is a potential "issue maker", with like woods in opposing grains glued together potentially being a crack magnet, or an additional opposing force under changing humidity conditions.

However, many do use them, so opinions differ on this issue.

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