Brand new J-200 Custom...small gap between the bridge corner and the soundboard...

[ritchie69]

Hello everyone,

time has passed since the last time I wrote on the forum, about a year ago, and sadly I had to deal with a great loss in my family...

Anyway, my passion for gibson acoustics is still alive, and a few days ago I bought a new J200 Custom Vintage Sunburst from a 5 star Dealer here in Italy, but only today I discovered that there's a little gap between the bridge corner (near the volute on the bass side), and the soundboard. The remaining area of the bridge it seems ok, as well as the braces near the bridge plate, inside the guitar.

the gap seems not to be related with string tension, although the gap appears to increase slightly (very slightly) when the strings are in tune.

I don't think it's a structural issue, so a injection of glue (hide or yellow?) between the joints and overnight clamping could definitely fix the problem?

I've not contacted the seller yet, so any advice form the forum are welcome.

I would appreciate jeremy's advice!

 

here's the pics with NO STRING TENSION:

 

 

 

 

 

[zombywoof]

Not as easy a fix as you imagine. If you can slide paper in that far under the bridge from both sides I would not be messing with the guitar. The proper way to fix a lifting bridge is to remove it, clean the surface area and then re-glue and clamp. Since I am assuming the guitar is under warranty you should be in good shape.

[zombywoof]

Also, I am so sorry to hear you had a loss in the family.

[ritchie69]

Thank you zombywoof...The gap is only on the bass side of the bridge, the inserted paper in the pics defines exactly the unglued area...The bridge don't seems lifted by the string tension, it adhere perfectly in all the remaining area, except in that bass side volute...

[onewilyfool]

Ritchie, sorry for your loss, and sorry about your J-200. Since there have been luthiers in Italy for hundred's of years, I'm hoping there is a luthier there to help with your problem. I think Zomby is right, all sorts of dust and dirt can enter a crack like that, so just glue, may not do it. gzood luck with the fix and keep us posted!!!

[onewilyfool]

I don't think European Gibson's are covered by warranty are they? Maybe the vendor can help you with this??

[ritchie69]

Thank you Wily,

as the seller's told me, the guitar is covered by warranty, and probably the seller (who's also a renowned italian luthier) can fix the problem in many ways...

I know that the best thing is to remove completely the bridge, clean up the joint from the old glue and regluing, but since it's a small area, I hope there is a less invasive way...

[ParlourMan]

A fault at one side is possible and plausible, the same fault on both sides of the bridge would have me a bit worried. My guess is you need to fix this properly with no half-steps involved.

[blindboygrunt]

I'd be under the impression that if that side is dodgy then the other side is gonna do something .

[ritchie69]

You're right guys, it don't affect the action for now, but my concern is for the future, the string tension could get worse the gap

[Gruffchris]

If it's brand new, then I'd swap it for another from the same shop.

[kidblast]

Definitely a problem that over time it's going to only progress.

 

agreeing with all these other posts, this something that needs to either be exchanged, or properly repaired

 

 

Best wishes and sorry for your loss.

[fortyearspickn]

Ritchie, its unanimous.. This is too big a gap. Probably not a structural issue, but definitely should have been 100% glued down at the factory. Repair or replace, probably the dealers call. Great you have an expert luthier on hand to fix the problem. G'luck.

[Jerry K]

Taking the bridge off, preparing the surfaces and re-gluing sounds drastic, but it is a simple repair for a competent luthier.

[merseybeat1963]

Its unlikely the dealer has another one of that guitar in Italy Im guessing. Either way it should be repaired by professional.

if you just got it right out of box maybe Id ask for a nice other one

[ritchie69]

You guessed it merseybeat, that's the only one in that store in vintage sunburst...they have other gibson jumbos, some 5 star dealer limited edition, but I was looking for this specific model in this finish...

Anyway, tomorrow I'll call the dealer to figure out what to do...