Top plate crack at bridge

[Phil O'Dendron]

I have the opportunity to repair a MIJ 1970s Maya bent top for a friend. The mandolin has a good action and a non adjustable bridge (so the crack is not caused by the screw from an adjustable bridge). Is the tone bar (which is visible inside the lower part of the sound hole) the only bracing of the top?

If it is a simple fix, I have a friend who is involved with violin repair and can lend me a deep reach 'C' clamp, inspection mirror and hide glue.

[pops1]

Is the brace loose?

[sunburst]

Inspection mirror is square one. You can then know exactly what bracing is present and also anything else pertinent inside the mandolin.

[multidon]

+1 on John’s advice. An inspection mirror and light will tell you what you need to know. I would recommend using the inspection light in a darkened room to make sure the crack goes all the way through. It may just be a lacquer crack. That said, it looks to me like the wood is compressed around the bridge area. After the repair is complete and stable, maybe think about using lighter strings.

[John Bertotti]

Just for my curiosity is that a shorter than normal bridge for this instrument? Looks shortened or replaced.

[MikeEdgerton]

It's a brace not a tone bar. That's a MIJ copy of a Martin Style A mandolin. The bridge is about the height you would expect it to be but it does look like it's been replaced from the indentations. The pickguard is gone. The bridge should float. Is that glued down?

[John Bertotti]

Ooops terminology I wasn't referring to verticle height it just looked shorter lengthwise across the top.

[pops1]

Ooops terminology I wasn't referring to verticle height it just looked shorter lengthwise across the top.

It looks like the top is imprinted with a longer bridge foot from the past.

[Phil O'Dendron]

It looks like the top is imprinted with a longer bridge foot from the past.

Should I replace this with a loner bridge?

[MikeEdgerton]

Pretty much up to you. This isn't generally a real valuable instrument. Fix the problems you see and change it anyway you want to knowing you're really not affecting the value. Do it to create a playable instrument. That bridge is most likely older than the instrument.

[Steve 2E]

I was going to ask about the tailpiece cover, but answered my own question when I noticed this Jumbo listing on reverb.
https://reverb.com/item/38589388-jum...e-a-type-1970s

If it was mine I would make/have made a new one piece rosewood or ebony compensated bridge. I would also try to replace the tailpiece or maybe just the cover, but that’s purely for aesthetics. Also a new pick guard seems to be needed. I would only do those things once the crack is repaired and it’s structurally sound.

[Phil O'Dendron]

Thanks for all the replies. Yes, it is one of the many copies of the famous brands (in this case Martin) and for what it is it will be a good starter instrument for the very keen 6yr old daughter of my friend.