I need to fit a bridge to a Gibson 'teen mandola.
Unfortunately, the pick guard pins are glued in making removal a real problem. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Curt
I need to fit a bridge to a Gibson 'teen mandola.
Unfortunately, the pick guard pins are glued in making removal a real problem. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Curt
Glued in to the hole in the bridge? can you get the PG and bridge off as one unit? I suspect it would pop off fairly easily once you have it off the mandola
Dan
The pins are glued into the neck... not into the bridge.
Curt
I've seen where the pins are corroded in place and seem like they're glued in. You might be able to get a little PB Blaster rust buster stuff in there and let it sit for awhile and then wiggle the pins out. I'd be very careful to not get any on the finish or the pickguard. I don't know what it would do. Anyway, it's worked for me in the past.
Dale Ludewig
http://www.ludewigmandolins.com
That makes more sense. You must be using the stew-mac sanding jig.
Dan
No sanding gig. I am a student of the Red Henry School of Bridge Making and Fitting.
With the sandpaper taped to the top plate (I use rice tape) the bridge is located in the correct position, and with just enough
tension on the strings (Oh, he leaves the strings on.) the bridge is sanded in direction perpendicular to the strings, grasping one
bridge foot for about 50 strokes (1/4" stroke") then turning the instrument and repeating by grasping the other foot. With
a bit of good fortune, youve got a good fit in about 300 strokes ... about 15 min. Remove the sandpaper and check for light
leaks.
Some older tops may have dimples that no amount of sanding (in any direction) will remedy. So, after the sanding process, remove the sandpaper and lay down a piece of rice tape in the correct bridge position. Lay down a thin bead of 5 minute epoxy
where the bridge will be positioned ("Does he know what he's doing") place the bridge on the epoxy, put the string on the bridge
and bring the to tension from the inside out. After a coupla hours, slack the strings, remove the tape, clean up the bridge feet,
reset the bridge.
Perfect fit.
More than you wanted to know, right. Ask me the time and I'm likely to tell you how to make a watch.
Disclaimer: I am not a luthier, nor am I an expert in any field currently known to exist.
Curt
You had me up to "epoxy" there! I would recommend against gluing the bridge down personally..
I don't think he glued the bridge to the top. There was a piece of tape between the top and the bridge. Sounded like he was creating a filler for the dimples.
Jerry
Right you are? The rice paper tape has a waxy surface and will not adher to the epoxy. The adhesive of the tape is similar to that of a Post-It Note, leaving no residue and doing no harm to the finish. Just don't epoxy yourself to the strings. It does terrible things to tone production.
"When all else fails, read the instructions" Nicola Tesla
Curt
Thanks to all ... end of thread.
Some threads never end.
If the pickguard pin is glued into the neck and you want them out heating them up with a soldering iron will release the glue.
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