Repairing a Lifting Acoustic Guitar Bridge

[@williambrown6721]

I have an old Yamaha acoustic guitar that was my brother's who passed away in 2011, my brother lent it to a friend of his before he passed away! And he stored the guitar in his shed I just got it back from him and I was devastated because it bellied out pretty bad where the bridge of the guitar is.. thanks to you I figured out how to get the bridge off!! So hopefully I'll be able to fix the belly of the guitar...thank you so much!!..

[@mikenobi]

Did you fix it?

[@anthonysmithtube]

Wow- this is a great tutorial for those with inexpensive> mid priced, guitars (where it's not worthwhile sending it to a Luthier or even buying heat lamps/ tons of expensive tools) Cheers!

[@billknudson7895]

Excellent work, especially the scraping away of the finish that surrounded the outer edge of the bridge. Bridges can be a real headache sometimes. You made this repair look very easy. Well done, sir!

[@beaucarbary5619]

There are no music stores around where I live, and getting a guitar professionally repaired requires me to drive an hour and have it in the shop for 1-3 weeks. I'm a music therapist and use my guitar every day and that's not really a practical solution, so I've been learning to do repairs myself whenever possible. My guitar's bridge was lifting, and this video was so helpful. I haven't restrung it and tried to play yet, but fingers crossed!

[@frankygalindo3574]

howd it go??

[@beaucarbary5619]

@@frankygalindo3574 Whew, I tell you I was sweating bullets putting those string on, waiting for the bridge to rip off any second! But I've had four gigs since Monday, and Old Boy has held up just fine so far 🥳

[@1finemeat]

One of the best videos I’ve seen on a bridge repair! Thank you so much and thank you for answering the comment questions, bravo!

[@douglassloan6831]

Bro you did an amazing job! Great care and patience.

[@tomasskrinskas4482]

How long did you heat up the bridge for with the iron? I've seen different heating methods and this one seems convenient...

[@polyton4539]

wow that clamping tool looks pretty neat! funny how often I think I need to buy a bunch of stuff and then some diy dude comes around with a better version, made of things I already have

[@patl9404]

Excellent job😊 that home made clamp is very nice,,

[@Cre8tvMG]

This is the best bridge clamp method I've seen. Much simpler than the multiple huge C clamp method most people use. And with the adjustable wings you still get a good even pressure. Thanks.

[@PaulDeFelice]

bridge clamps are available online for around CAD$20 for a wood one or $25 for a metal one

[@waygone6657]

I agree, the bridge clamp is genius. I'm not a luthier, just a home handyman who enjoys the challenge of a new problem. I have an old guitar that probably isn't worth $20 and the bridge lifted about 1/8 inche one corner. I'm going to make myself a bridge clamp like this one and fix this old guitar 🎸 😊 Thanks 👍

[@robinbebbington7063]

@@waygone6657 I plan on doing the same to a Cort I just bought with a lifting bridge.

[@edwardippoliti626]

Great video! Great idea to trace out the bridge first so you know exactly the area where the bridge sits down ,so you clean ,and sand the area ,and keep the bridge in the exact same spot ,my bridge did the same thing on a DIY acoustic I built ,I had nailed the location of the bridge dead on ,but I forgot to sand down the finish first ,used 2 part epoxy ,instead of just good wood glue ,and then I didn't have the proper clamp ,which I now do ,so gonna follow your method , and use the same wood glue I used to set the neck ,thank you !

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

I like the "Home made" clamp, great idea!

[@unsoundmethodology]

Very cool! I just found an electroacoustic bass at a local thrift store that's got much the same problem - with any luck I can get it also back into shape. Thanks for making the video!

[@hardlines5472]

Thank God for you video. Found a Epiphone acoustic dreadnought guitar at the local tip. Bridge was coming off for the same reasons as yours. Too much finish encroaching on the gluing area. Sorted. Thanks man!

[@aliza_t]

would it work to use a hair dryer on the hot setting to heat up the glue?

[@kagomeotilia]

That clamp is a genius invention :')

[@joemcgraw5529]

Im doing the same thing right now to a guitar that was left in a hot car(the company used epoxy or something to glue the bridge ) I scribed around the bridge so I came on to see your process of getting the paint off before regluing the bridge

[@user-ir2bj3re1z]

Is that wax paper you used in between the bridge and the iron or parchment paper?

[@ahhimary3475]

Do you have to remove the finish?or can you re glue on the finish? can you use any other good wood glue?

[@lorencing]

Nice job man. Thanks for the video, nice impro with the custom clamp! Will borrow your system for my first acoustic repair, a friends 12 string Suzuki. Seem like a good idea and you do not need the big U clamps.

[@romitroy6191]

please tell me which glue you are using ?

[@ahhimary3475]

It look titebond was used in the video, any other alternative to use?

[@Saaf62]

@@ahhimary3475 hot hide glue has also been suggested

[@PeterKingsbury]

"I'm going to scrape the finish very carefully and slowly..." > video speeds up to 10x as I wince the whole time Thanks for putting this video together! I have a repair coming up sooner than I'd care to admit for my own 20-year old acoustic...

[@SuperBroncosguy]

Can't help BUT.... Jack White likes the challange of playing fucked up guitars. Says it makes him better. Also: Tom Morello says "make mistakes-that's where some new kinda tune comes out!"

[@lesblack413]

I do the same way except I use a and old .009" string and ease it around from one side and pulling the other side - not a spatula lever. You did a nice job. Cheers!!

[@urbanobstacles]

That works? I just did this method and I got the thing off but it was time consuming

[@hwfranjr]

Remember people,right tool for a job really makes it easy!!!!

[@ahhimary3475]

What if the wood surface is not even can you still re glue the bridge? can you use PVA glue instead?

[@Keenbeaver]

Thanks man. My bridge split on this guitar I have had since I was a teenager and I can fix it myself now

[@FlixFavorite]

This one is the Best by far

[@namesbones9629]

Just bought a very expensive Washburn and the bridge raised after about a day of string tension what should I do return it

[@fie_biggestfan]

Hell yea return it lol

[@nightshades_to9377]

What size clamp did you use after fastening the bridge clamp?

[@kevinlombardy2388]

Super helpful man! Thanks for taking the time to make this vid.

[@anthonyangelis1094]

How long did you let the glue dry Before re- stringing guitar? Hours ? Days?

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

I leave mine for 3 days and have never had one lift. Regular wood glue(with some of the wood dust mixed in)no fancy super bond type glues cos they always make it impossible for future repairs.

[@ahhimary3475]

@@giulioluzzardi7632 can we use some inexpensive wood glue for re glue the bridge

[@danieldelahunty7973]

Hi David. Great video. How many minutes did you have the iron sit over the bridge for the glue to melt fully? I’m following your video on how to remove the bridge on my own Ashton guitar. However getting the glue to melt is taking a fair while. Thank you

[@sunwooyang9949]

Would love an answer for this

[@hallielucille1209]

ya had mine heating for a while can’t get it to loosen

[@evolvin12]

Great video! Can you please share a bit about your homemade clamp tool? are you running screws thru the peg holes and tightening with bolts inside the guitar? Thanks!

[@XykuJoxa]

Exactly what I was wondering. I'll probably end up using some basic clamps I have laying around.

[@tyrotrainer765]

I want to convert a cheap RH acoustic to lefty, to use as a practice hack and came here. I reckon you could just use bolts, through the peg holes, with washers top and bottom?

[@paulwooton4390]

@@tyrotrainer765lol. the video speeds up just where you want a better look at what he's doing. I slowed it down and saw washers/nuts in his hand.

[@eliannamizrachi3415]

Great video! Quick question from a fellow amateur: can a heat gun be used in lieu of an iron to warm the glue and remove the bridge? I have a similar issue with one of my acoustics and wanted to know how best to proceed. Thanks : )

[@DavidParker]

Maybe? It might be harder to control where the heat goes, you don’t want to heat the top up too much or you risk blistering the finish or loosening the glue on the braces inside, but I’ve seen people use heat lamps before 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@1finemeat]

I had the same question

[@brianconnolly5134]

Anyone have info on this type of aria guitar, I have one and wanted know how old it was but the seriel number gave no reliable answers

[@allanwells4886]

Terrific job young man!!!

[@nadineramirez9379]

The last comment as well you're a great tradesman, you really know your stuff. it was a lot of work sounds excellent . would fix my instrument.

[@roxannemcv4259]

My first guitar when I was 13 has damaged bridge. Its too sentimental to me since its a gift from my father. Im also scared to fix it since i mighy break it even more.

[@kingoffire9373]

Cherish it, my dad got me a guitar when I was 13 and I ended up selling it to a friend for some dumb reason, then my dad passed away, I kept trying to get the guitar back from him and he kept saying I could have it but it never happened then I asked him the other day and he said he had to sell it when he got a divorce. I fear I will never see that guitar again and it makes me sad :(.

[@danielj5650]

@@kingoffire9373 you could try asking who he sold it to if you didn't already

[@timharris3203]

Great video, I have a ventage Aria with the bridge seperation also. I took it to a guitar store to see how much to repair the bridge told me something bracing is also separating and it would be $800 us to fix. Way to much to fix so I think I'll try what you did.

[@joerz8910]

how did it go tim?!?

[@timharris3203]

I haven’t done anything to it yet except put it back in the case and put it away. I’m just an old man who’s always trying to learn how to play who end up collecting Aria Acoustic guitar’s lol.

[@wynhibang3554]

What glue did u use?

[@DavidParker]

I said in the video what glue I used

[@DavidParker]

And in the description of the video

[@jfrphoto01]

TiteBond Original Wood Glue

[@DiscipleoftheDumbOx]

Do you sell those homemade clamping tools?

[@hallielucille1209]

how much heat does it take to loosen the glue?

[@DavidParker]

It varies from guitar to guitar

[@larrylehman751]

What kind of glue is that please

[@Jonathancabanyc]

How long did you recommend waiting for the glue to dry and whats the best glue for this type of work? I was gifted a Yamaha acoustic guitar with a bridge not attached to the body 😢

[@DavidParker]

I used titebond 1 but there are many suitable options for glue and the time depends on the glue you used

[@billwest5330]

Will Gorilla Glue work?

[@DavidParker]

I wouldn’t advise using gorilla glue, I’d use a tried and tested glue that luthiers commonly use like titebond 1, hide glue, fish glue etc

[@1finemeat]

@@DavidParker yeah and type bond as cheap as shit!

[@dumpybloom2968]

The problem I have is that one of those white plastic caps holding the string into the bridge broke. I can’t get the broken string out of the guitar

[@troyking4787]

Could a heat gun be used in place of an iron?

[@Cbuzz1399]

I wouldnt. good chance of damaging the finish.

[@AshCollins]

Wait how does the clamp on the bridge work? Whats it clamping on to??

[@DavidParker]

The bolts go through the bridge pin holes with nuts on the inside of the guitar

[@AshCollins]

@@DavidParker yeah it seems so obvious now lol

[@PathsOfReason]

The guitar I have is without a bridge, how can I make a wood bridge myself please?

[@DavidParker]

Well you cut and shape a piece of wood to be the shape and size of a guitar bridge and then you have to drill and taper the bridge pin holes and route a slot for the saddle… but if you’re asking for instructions it might be beyond your capabilities and I’d suggest taking the guitar to a luthier.

[@chantalzamora3263]

wat do u do if the wood under that is broken? under the bridge.

[@ahhimary3475]

I think you have to repair that as well.

[@ice8669]

How long did you leave the iron on? No one ever says in these videos

[@DavidParker]

A minute or two? Until the glue is soft enough to get a spatula underneath

[@1finemeat]

Get you a laser thermometer and heat it up to 140°F

[@DannyBoyPhelan]

I was wondering could I do this with a C clamp or clamp? It's all I have!

[@shridracula2447]

My guitar's bridge has been lifted due to deformation of glue..... Can i just heat that deformed glue with a iron press or a hair dryer and press the bridge against the body to fix it??

[@DavidParker]

No

[@SuperBroncosguy]

Nyet.

[@AlanMcCarthyguitar]

Can I ask you a question please ?? Would it be ok to permanently remove the 6 th string from a guitar ??

[@DavidParker]

Yeah that would be fine, Keith Richards famously plays with only 5 strings in an open tuning.

[@HamzaBinSaleem]

How much does the changing cost?

[@michaelmilburn3094]

Very cool video. The homemade jig/tool you have confounds me. I can't understand what it is doing. It seems the bolts in the middle align the string holes in the bridge, but don't understand the function of the two outer screws. You do adjust them it seems, but I don't understand what is happening. Is the only compaction pressure due to the clamp (It seems maybe the screws in the middle pull the bridge down also?) Anyhow, enjoyed the video. This is great for people with less expensive guitars and can only justify a diy fix.

[@DavidParker]

It bolts through the bridge pin holes to apply pressure to the bridge, then there are two bolts on either side to apply pressure to the wings of the bridge so I don’t have to make a custom caul for every bridge I clamp

[@baremetaltechtv]

That bridge clamp you used would be awesome if someone made a model we could 3d print! I started searching all the common 3d print sites and haven't found anything yet :( The bridge on my guitar is separating quite badly, even worse than yours at the beginning of the video. I don't have the money to bring it to a repair shop so I'm gonna see if I can get the stuff together to follow your repair.

[@DavidParker]

I don’t think 3d printing would be the way to go, I’m no expert in 3d printing but I’m not sure plastic is the best material for a clamp, it’s easy enough to make from a block of hardwood and some bolts etc and much faster than 3d printing.

[@baremetaltechtv]

@@DavidParker It would definitely work. There is all kinds of glue up clamps on the 3d print sites, just not one shaped nicely for the bridge. even if its just 3d printed the shape that holds the bridge in place and using wood for the rest, but ive seen entire 3d printed clamps that work. even 3d printed work holding vices. honestly the most important part would just be the shape that fits nicely against the bridge to distribute pressure evenly, that would be an ideal 3d printed part.

[@1finemeat]

Amazon 13 bucks

[@baremetaltechtv]

What's the name of the listing

[@rishibhoir57]

i was fixing it but u used different adhesive and now it has a lift at the bottom but i cant remove it again it will crack the guitar . what sholud i do

[@AshCollins]

more silly questions from me.... how do you make sure all the glue doesn't clog up the string holes?

[@DavidParker]

You can’t, but I clean up the holes with a bridge pin reamer afterwards

[@AshCollins]

@@DavidParker ok I'm going to go and look up what that is lol

[@DavidParker]

@@AshCollins if you’re not fully confident I’d definitely suggest taking it to a professional, it’s not an easy job and can be messed up and ruin a guitar quite easily

[@AshCollins]

@@DavidParker tbqh taking it to a professional would cost way more than the guitar is worth, so it's either have a go at it myself or chuck it in the bin hahaha

[@mustafagedikli_]

I guess there are different types of tidebolds. May I ask why you prefer the red one?

[@DavidParker]

It’s easily steamed off for future repairs, that’s the one most luthiers use. It doesn’t need to be waterproof etc which are the benefits of the blue and green ones

[@mustafagedikli_]

@@DavidParker Thank you :)

[@ttspacecowboy]

How long would you say this process takes

[@susanroycroft89]

Nice video, very informative, sincere thanks 😊😊😊

[@inflorescence440]

So the bridge didnt bend ?!

[@inteshar1991]

How long does it take to "un-glue"?

[@francisco5191]

Why does it happen?

[@jakescorpion1]

Nice clamp you made

[@projectkonstantine8062]

im buying a new 12 string guitar with reviews saying the bridge was lifting and was wondering if it was easy to fix thanks for answering that question :D

[@shaun9156]

i just had my 9 year old ibanez split under the saddle she had a good run

[@Gee-no]

This was great. Unfortunately, i have a bridge where the wood is cracked underneath. Can i still do this? I dont care about the appearance at all.

[@amoniida-bowers9047]

i have this same problem. did you manage to fix it?

[@leemp337]

any reason you didn't use animal glue instead of the tite bond? thanks for sharing your experience.

[@DavidParker]

I’ve never used hide glue, titebond works great and easy to get hold of so I see no reason to switch to hide glue unless it’s a vintage guitar that was originally glued with hide glue

[@caniswolf3394]

@@DavidParker Why not use epoxy instead of tite bond?

[@DavidParker]

@@caniswolf3394 because if there are issues in the future epoxy can’t be heated up to easily remove the bridge. Guitars are built to be repairable so you need to use glues that can be unglued

[@caniswolf3394]

@@DavidParker Understood. Thank you.

[@flashover2012]

I noticed that the wood under the bridge is warped. Does anyone have suggestions?

[@ahhimary3475]

It usually covered by thin layer of so called finish

[@thomaschiappisi3726]

What setting did you have the iron on?

[@romitroy6191]

Can I use Favicol ?

[@vproduction6131]

What kind of paper that protects the flat iron?

[@bjornpolman98]

Wax paper

[@jeffasmi11]

maybe parchment paper that you cook with, good up to 400 degrees. Wax paper may not be advisable

[@isaacruiz7130]

Very good video My brother

[@bablusonavne384]

Is using epoxy adhesive a bad idea?

[@SuperBroncosguy]

Wood glue.

[@thewaygokid3135]

Someone else may have to take the bridge off in the future. Epoxy will make it more difficult. It’s a balancing act. Some might even use Hyde or fish glue.

[@lebateauivre17]

Great vid but not sure about the clamp. Skipped over rather quickly. What were the screws going into? Then you had a aecond clamp. Why? Odd.

[@DavidParker]

They were bolts going through the bridge pin holes to nuts on the inside of the guitar

[@BlaineO]

You said you made a slight adjustment to the saddle. Like what? Always been curious by what that meant.

[@DavidParker]

Once I had the bridge glued back on and the guitar strung back up I thought the action could come down, so I sanded the saddle down a bit to lower the action.

[@BlaineO]

@@DavidParker gotcha. Just like you can do a nut from time to time. One more question and I’ll leave you alone. Lol… I’m about to attempt to this same bridge project to a Baby Taylor acoustic. The bridge was pulling like this guitar in the video. But, the guitar has sat for 4 or 5 years and exactly where the bridge sits, there’s a small hump that’s developed where the tension has made the body bow up. Will that have a major effect on the results? Il

[@DavidParker]

@@BlaineO hard to tell without seeing it, if you’re not confident take it to a luthier. Re glueing the bridge can help flatten that sort of thing out but there could be many other factors that affect that such as bracing and proper humidity.

[@BlaineO]

@@DavidParker gotcha. If the value of the guitar was a lot higher…I would. I’m just gonna fix it or break it. Lol! I do a lot of woodwork and feel pretty comfortable doing it. We’ll see. Thanks for the advice!

[@chuckpotockimusic2288]

​@@DavidParkerHey David, thanks for posting this! I'm going to attempt a bridge repair on my Vangoa acoustic. What setting did you put the iron on and how long did you keep it on to melt the glue enough? Thanks again for your help! 🎸😊👊👏

[@olheghtt]

Compared to my guitar, finish on that scraped off so easy....lucky job

[@soranut111]

Took off a chunk of wood when removing the bridge😂 rip my guitar

[@guitarworton]

Snap lol glued fine though

[@srpintu01]

Same to me 😒😔😖

[@CaliforniaKushCommunity]

Just add wood or adhesive

[@julkka47]

Same thing happened to me now I left my guitar unfinished :(

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

IT'S the end of the Instruments life. Do your best and re-glue, remember the Guitars top has a slight curved radius so just clamp it down so it has minimal wobble. I mix fine sawdust with the wood glue to help the bond.

[@jimbarnes8706]

Nice video, but a bit more info would have been helpful. How long did you have to heat and at what setting to soften the glue? Also, what glue, and how long did it set before restringing. Finally, it would have been nice to see how the clamp actually worked.

[@kevinmeserole7345]

Yeah I guess his homemade clamp is a big secret. As a matter of fact it is THE secret to successfully doing this. I just got a Blue ridge acoustic guitar that was thrown in the garbage that has this very problem.

[@PaulDeFelice]

@@kevinmeserole7345 bridge clamps are available online for around CAD$20 for a wood one or $25 for a metal one

[@kevinmeserole7345]

@@PaulDeFelice thanks

[@philochristos]

That looks easy enough. Thanks.

[@serenitysam21]

That looks like A Bridge Over Trouble Water 😁

[@anthonybirkett6498]

Great video! Very helpful thanks mate

[@frettingitforward]

Good stuff Thanks a Bunch!

[@DougHinVA]

The pro luthier with videos by TWooFRD has a very similar method.

[@ChristopherM5]

How much would a repair like this cost?

[@Matthew-pm5ic]

About 150 at guitar center in denver

[@markkirkland8342]

Just checked yesterday and $200 @ Guitar Center in San Bernardino, CA

[@holyssun]

Thanks !!! Awesome!

[@mondragonmsaul308]

Doing this repair on a 100$ uke I bought from guitar center they said if it wasn’t for that the uke would cost 250

[@moosers85]

Huge ASMR tingles just do one regular speeed I almost fell asleep!!

[@aihtet9168]

i will try old guitar

[@MrkTheDREAMER]

Mine lifted the top wood and broke the bridge. 💔

[@augustinechinnappanmuthria7042]

Super tip's fantastic

[@kennyrazor81]

looks like a fender like mine, ibanez and epiphones dont have this problem

[@richardflores4926]

I'm here because my Ibanez has this problem...

[@jakescorpion1]

That's a freaking job

[@reaprfox]

I have a crack on the bridge like between the pin sorry don't know the name

[@kyststudio-epicartadventure]

Just today I took my Taylor 12-string in for a lifted bridge. It would cost the same for me to get the tools. So I let an expert do it and he guarantees it.

[@KenwoodSakian]

It is good

[@Truthbelle]

Can glue gun work?

[@DavidParker]

Absolutely not.

[@TheWorstCAFisherman]

My takamine gd30ce-12s bridge is just barley lifting on the very back I dont know what to do. Should I glue it or something?

[@DavidParker]

I would take it to a luthier and get their opinion

[@jfrphoto01]

I had the same problem with my Oscar Schmidt OD-312A 12 string acoustic (a Washburn subsidiary). Had it for about 2 months when it started. Couldn't get anywhere with the manufacturer so I did it myself. Just like the way David did it in this video (I had never done one before). This was 3 years ago and it is still solid. I agree with David, take it to a luthier or a guitar tech and get their assessment on it first. If you do it yourself, just take your time, refer back to this or any of the other videos on the subject that are available on KZbin (they are all basically the same with slight differences in technique and tools used. When scoring around the bridge, use a new blade in the knife (I used a #11 holder and blade [available at most hobby shops and hardware stores]). And just score the finish, you don't want to cut into the wood if at all possible! Good luck!

[@lebateauivre17]

Okay i see Thats a tricky thing to replicate

[@DavidParker]

Definitely not a repair job I’d recommend to a complete beginner but it’s really not too hard. If you don’t feel comfortable I’d get a professional luthier to do the work.