Making a Guild Bridge

Aw heck, this Guild dreadnought's bridge has a crack right through it. There are many of these beloved old flattops hanging around in closets and under beds for much the same reason. I am a huge fan of this brand, straight through their Westerly, RI years; even the later Fender Guilds can be great. Anyway, this one was made at their last factory in Rhode Island. I have encountered sporadic poor timber selection on Guilds of every era, and I think this rosewood was too green when it was machined. Also, the grain follows the tilt of the pin holes and saddle slot, whereas it should run counter to them. Notice the cocobolo stock I've picked out is the mirror image in terms of grain.

The slow pulling of the old, cracked bridge knocked off some finish around its perimeter, so I purposefully machined the replacement bridge 1/16" larger in both dimensions. This will give a clean look without sacrificing sound.

After the footprint is prepared, the bottom of the bridge must be machined to match the convex top. I use a special sanding belt over a curved surform to achieve the perfect fit. By now the pin holes have been drilled but not chamfered and nothing is shaped.

First the contours of the original bridge are copied onto the new one. Just as the workers in the factory had to learn to make each piece "of one hand," so must I reproduce the subtlety of their handwork.

With the shaping done, we are ready to attach the bridge. Two steel pins are used to align it via the pin holes and deep throated clamps apply the pressure.

You probably noticed that the saddle slot hasn't been milled yet. This is because it is more precise to machine the slot after the bridge is glued in place. Careful measurements are taken and marks are made for the proper position and slant of the bridge. This is of course pivotal for proper intonation of the instrument.  

Now a bone saddle has been made with the proper graduations to ensure the instrument plays in tune. The tapers of the pinholes are fine tuned, and all that's left to do is polish and oil the bridge.

And there you have it, a more durable replica of the original damaged bridge! This should see this instrument into the next generation of players.

Plante Celtic Parlor

Just a sneak peak of what is hanging out in my spray booth. This Single-0 sized parlor guitar features highly figured mahogany framed by curly maple bindings all around.

The headstock is overlayed with ebony and features a pearl bear and a green abalone harp inlay for the emerald isle (the harp was stringless at this stage). Not pictured are the mother of pearl shamrock fretboard inlays.