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September 2004
Posts: 777
Location: East Wenatchee, WA | The other night I while I was cleaning the 1537, I noticed an ever so slight hump just behind the bridge. It wasn't really visible, but I could definately feel the variation. Hadn't noticed it before.
Is this something to be concerned with. The guitar is is really good shape except for one finish crack so I have held off sending it in for a refurb, but maybe it is time if that is necessary to preserve it. I backed the strings off a bit and put it away, but I remain curious. |
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May 2006
Posts: 97
Location: Chicago | I think the way they set the top at the factory is so that it is slightly arched upwards. Isn't it supposed to give the guitar less dramatic changes in response to changes in humidity? |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | My feeling on this sorta bulge is well documented on this site...
most all old guitars show some sign of this... that's what makes them sound good |
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September 2004
Posts: 777
Location: East Wenatchee, WA | Cool....won't sweat it then. Thanks.... |
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February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | Perfectly normal. Don't worry about it. |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Nice add Jeff....feel the pc police breathing hard down your neck??? |
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February 2002
Posts: 613
Location: Zion, Illinois | Although I agree with what the others said, its that time of year where we all need reminding. A bulge along with a dip in front of the bridge is a sign of lack of humidity. This year I bought a room hygrometer as well as three hygrometers for three of my guitars to keep a better eye on the RH level. My hand made GOM Redwood/Walnut guitar that I received this year had a bit of a hump behind the bridge. It turned out to be too much humidity. I was keeping the guitar in the case when not in use only to find out that the RH in the case was 15% higher than the room. The luthier said that in the summer I should leave the guitar out more so that it can dry out a bit, and in the winter... well my Ovation Custom Legend is a constant reminder of what can happen due to dryness in the winter. The top cracked, bulged behind the bridges and dips in front of the bridge. |
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August 2006
Posts: 2804
Location: ranson,wva | all my ovations have had cracks,dips,bulges..my balladeer has a bulge behind the bridge,3 cracks,recently repaired severed headstock and it sounds great...adds to the sound of 30+yr old spruce..jason |
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August 2003
Posts: 888
Location: Louisville, OH 44641 | Jeff:
Don't worry too much. I had a 1718 very much like that for years and everyone raved about how good it sounded. Had many people offer to buy it from me, hump and all.
Jim |
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March 2006
Posts: 1634
Location: Chehalis, Washington | I've seen it a couple times. Personally after comparing 2 identical CL's, one with a hump, one without, the "humpy" one sounded WAY better. Louder, fuller, and better sustain. Just the top in prime condition.
Just watch to make sure it doesn't get severe. Other than that, enjoy. |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | Originally posted by Bradley:
A bulge along with a dip in front of the bridge is a sign of lack of humidity. No it's not. Changes in humidity levels may cause a dip to become more or less apparent, but if the top is sinking between the bridge and soundhole it's generally not a result of climatic conditions but a sign of potentially serious structural problems.
If a flat-top guitar doesn't show a very slight hump behind the bridge it's usually because it's built too heavily. (Carbon tops being the exception) A sinking top is a whole other thing |
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August 2006
Posts: 2804
Location: ranson,wva | broken braces will do it,rember the matrix i had at the gathering temp? it had several broken braces. the top was sinking between the bridge and the upper bout..
if it gets too bad serious shit can happen..ive got pics of the matrix after the top finaly gave way...jason |
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June 2004
Posts: 580
Location: NW NJ | Originally posted by johnnycash83:
if it gets too bad serious shit can happen..ive got pics of the matrix after the top finaly gave way...jason That would qualify as serious ... :D |
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August 2006
Posts: 2804
Location: ranson,wva | temp was the last person to play that one..after we got home and unpacked i set out to change strings on my guitars,i started to bring the exp 13's up to tension then she started cracking...oh well that was the best $25.00 ive ever spent. i had that one since i was 16....jason |
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Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 972
Location: PDX | It's been "raining cats and dogs" here in the PNW with warm temperatures. The RH is 80 - 90% and all of my guitars sound flat and the intonation has gone to hell. The normally rock solid tuning is a mess.
I suspect the tops are moving all over the place, but i really can't see any physical changes. What's up with that!?
_____
gh1 |
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August 2006
Posts: 2804
Location: ranson,wva | its raining like hell here here in maryland too..jason |
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April 2006
Posts: 1017
Location: Budd Lake, NJ | My sweet Gertrude (1111-4) has a split from the bowl edge to her bridge (which was so skillfully repaired at the Mothership that it's barely noticeable), and the undulations in her top come and go. Sometimes a little wavy, sometimes almost perfectly flat. The changes don't seem to affect how she sounds (which is very mellow, rich and full), or her intonation, either--I just figure we're both aging at about the same rate. ;) (And there are days when I am sure Gertrude is winning.......)
--Karen |
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Slight bulge on 1537
