Mustache Guitar Repairs

That's a good lookin bridge

Hi Rod, sorry I didn't chime in earlier. It's a shame about the adjustable screws, but it's when unexpected **** like this happens during jobs that you really get more learning experience out of it. If you can't back the screw out from above or below, then there's not much you can do besides cutting/drilling them out (not so fun and won't be pretty), or rig up something to press them out like bearing cups on a bicycle. You can make a pretty simple little press with some scrap wood, a dowel, and a clamp that lets you add gradual pressure (preferably not a cam-clamp). Bear with me since I don't have any pictures or measurements: The upper block will need to be at least 1/4" bigger than the bushing all the way around, at least 1" tall, and have a hole drilled in it also slightly bigger than the bushing and about 1/2" deep. The bottom block can be a little bit smaller than the other one, and will need to be drilled and have a section of dowel (slightly smaller in diameter to the bushing) protruding 1/4-3/8" from the block. Dry fit the two to make sure there's enough room in the upper block to fit the bottom dowel and the bushing as well. Let your soldering iron heat up, and then hold it on the bushing for a few minutes to soften the glue (like you would when removing a fret, but longer since you want the metal will retain some heat). You should be able to push them right out after that, maybe having to add a little heat to the bushing again if it starts to cool off too quickly. And if that all goes smoothly you should be able to fill the holes and continue on with the repair, can't wait to see how it comes out. Hope this helps you out, Travis

Glad I could be of any help. If you can change strings, remove screws, and replace screws right back where they came from then you can install it. And as long as they're authorized to do such repairs it shouldn't be a problem. It's unfortunate that there is no simple adjustment for this type of problem on Maestro vibratos, I'm sure someone at Gibson thought it was genius and that it would change the way people played guitar, instead it was mostly taken off of the guitars and caused alot of headaches. Hope they take good care of you and your new baby, Travis

It's a flaw in the design, the curved plates don't always hold true to the same tension when they're pressed and sometimes if you play heavier gauge strings (12's+) it will pull it down a little more, but that looks like a bad maestro. I work at a Gibson warranty dealer and I've had plenty of issues with Maestros in recent months between this problem and keeping the arm from coming loose when you move it from side to side. I usually get Gibson to send out a new one all together because there's really no practical solution and it will only get worse over years of play and string tension. It doesn't mean it's a bad guitar, if it feels and plays well (minus the vibrato), keep it and fix the bridge. If not, I'd say return it and find one with a better angle out of the factory. If there isn't a Gibson warranty tech in your area you can email me these pictures, the serial #, and your shipping address I'll contact my rep and get one sent out. If you're handy with a screw driver I can get it over to you and you can have it playing how it should in no time.