Pretty parlour guitar with a bridge crack

[Nicak Williams]

Hi,
I have not posted in here for years but am getting back into some guitar repair.
I have a nice parlour guitar to try and get working. Its well made internally and out and I think will play well. I have been fixing things like a crack and the machine heads, which are very nice quality.
The major problem is the bridge which has a crack though the pin holes - I have attached a picture, I hope. I was wondering on the best way to fix it. I am thinking precisely letting in a piece of ebony is a possibility, but it seems difficult to do without it showing. Maybe there is an adhesive which could be used which would be gap filling?
Thanks in advance,
Nick

[Bob Orr]

I would be tempted to lift the bridge and make a replacement. Look like oversize bridge pins have been pushed too far in at some point. Do not know of a way to satisfactorily glue that while it is on the guitar. I would check the bridge plate underneath to see if it is split too (use a mirror through the sound hole). Someone else may be able to offer another method as I am an newbie at repair work.
Cheers, Bob

[Mark Swanson]

If nothing is cracked inside and the bridge is still well attached I would fill that crack with ebony dust and CA, and sand it smooth again. It would be invisible if you do it right. Ebony fills very well. I don't think you need to replace it.

[Nicak Williams]

Well I really do not want to replace it as it is 'moustachioed' and has long delicate sides that I would not be able to replicate; also mother of pearl inlay.
There is no inner plate on these old guitars.
I will try the ebony dust and CA and see if it all holds, I think.
Nick

[Peter Wilcox]

Will the crack close if you clamp it with moderate pressure (with the saddle in place, of course)?

[Mark Swanson]

If you have to force it shut, then it'll open back up in short time. And if it can be forced shut then I would suspect somewhere beneath the bridge is loose.

[Nicak Williams]

No its solid and will not move. I imagines someone has used steel strings on it and the extra force has damaged it.

[Mark Swanson]

Old bridges crack like that for many reasons, not least among them is age and drying out. It's a common thing.

[Nicak Williams]

Would it be a good idea to fill the bridge holes and re cut them?
This might give some reinforcment and they are probably oversize.
They are not vertical but angled back quite a lot. I would have to get a reamer as I dont have one, just ones for violin pegs.

[Mark Swanson]

No, don't do that. Just rub some wood ebony wood dust into the cracks and cover them with a little CA. Sand it back, and if they didn't fill up to disappear then do it once more. Then get some wooden pins, see how they fit. If they are not tight enough you can line the holes with wood shavings from a plane and glue them in and re-fit.

[Nicak Williams]

Thanks Mark, I will do that.

[Michael Lewis]

Did you look closely inside for any signs of there having been a bridge plate? Old glue, pencil marks, or ? A good light inside and a small mirror will help.

[Nicak Williams]

Hi Michael,
I will have another look but I dont think there was ever one. These 100 year old instuments do not seem to have one.
I have now repaired the bridge and strung it up. After sounding awful at first it is now sounding good, and nice for 19 cent music. The intonation is good and the fingerboard is level without any wear.
The neck is bolted on with a square nut which I do not have anything to fit - however I dont think it needs adjustment - well possible the action could be a bit higher.
The machine head buttons are fragile and I had to glue some together, that is my main concern.

[Nicak Williams]

This is an internal view under the bridge.