Bellying guitar top

[Andrew Jerman]

I have a 1972 Kasuga KF-440 that was given to me by a friend for my son to learn on. The bridge is tipping forward and the top behind the bridge is bellying about an 1/8". Also, the finish on the center seam is "crazed" but I don't think the center seam is cracked. When I loosened the strings, the belly doesn't change. I used a straight edge to check it before and after I loosened them. I haven't been able to look inside at the bridge plate, but it feels like there is a lip where a second bridge plate has been put on. I just want to get this thing going for my son until I can get one built for him, and I don't think there is enough value to warrant a professional repair. I'm thinking of milling the bridge height down so that I can lower the action by a 1/8" then string it up with light or medium gauge strings. Any thoughts?

[G.S. Monroe]

Sounds like you may want to look at this thread about installing a bridge doctor.
http://www.mimf.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2282

[Greg Robinson]

Andrew, how tall is the bridge now, and how high above the soundboard is the saddle? If they are high, you might be able to justify milling them down, but the more usual approach would be a neck reset.