MattOliphant - Posted - 08/21/2021:  17:25:47

I need help with fixing my bridge.

Could anyone point me on what to do or whom to contact about fixing my bridge from separating anymore?

When I noticed it, I detuned it so it wouldn't do any more separating but the problem with that approach is I can't play it....

photo attached

MattOliphant - Posted - 08/21/2021:  17:26:48

here are photos

 

Texasbanjo - Posted - 08/22/2021:  04:49:38

That happened to my husband's acoustic-electric bass and he found a man at a festival that could fix it. As I remember, he drilled a hole through the bridge and through the top of the guitar and inserted a dowel and that took care of it. I'm sure there was more to it than that, but that's just what I remember. You might ask around if anyone knows of a "bridge doctor".

MattOliphant - Posted - 08/22/2021:  15:06:20

Should I do that considering it’s 1946 acoustic?
Another way perhaps?

Texasbanjo - Posted - 08/23/2021:  04:44:32

MattOliphant

Can you find a good luthier to advise you what to do? If not, can you contact the person/company that made the guitar and see if that's happened before and what they would do?

I doubt that gluing it back on would take care of the problem, but as a last resort, I guess you could try.

rcc56 - Posted - 08/23/2021:  22:09:46

1. Loosen the strings
2. Locate a luthier with experience repairing old Martins.
3. If the repairman mentions drills, screws, or dowels, say no thanks and find another repairman.

The technique for re-gluing a loose bridge on an old Martin [or Gibson] consists of the following steps:
a] removal of the bridge
b] cleaning the old glue off the bridge and top, and grafting in any spruce that is lost in the removal process
c] re-fitting the bridge
d] regluing the bridge-- on a guitar of this age, hot hide glue is usually considered to be the best choice
e] clean up any glue squeeze-out and cleaning the glue from the pin holes.

This is not a job for an amateur, especially on a '46 Martin.
I've done dozens of these. It requires patience, knowledge, and the right tools. It takes longer than most people think it would. I plan for 4 hours of bench time before the guitar is ready to restring and tune to pitch.

You might want to call Mass Street Music in Lawrence. I don't know whether they currently have anyone on staff capable of executing the repair, but if not, they might know a competent luthier within driving distance.

If they can't help me, you are welcome to pm me.