Bridge lift or normal?

[Aln]

What do you guys think about this?  I was killing time reading random posts over at agf and decided to look at the bridge on my 3 year old d03r.  Some people over there, including some techs, thought that this kind of gap under the back of a bridge was a problem and would eventually lead to a necessary repair.  No one said that any significant damage was likely as a result of a poorly glued bridge though.  But they did say that a gap like this could be the result of internal bracing issues.  The guitar(s) in question were Taylors and it seems that Taylor leaves about a 1/8" gap around the bridge that is not covered with glue to reduce the need for any clean-up when the glued bridge is applied.  That seems pretty reasonable and I imagine that if the rest of the bridge is glued, then this wouldn't be an issue. Is my larrivee the same then and is this nothing to worry about? Or does this perhaps indicate that the bridge is lifting off - either because it was improperly glues or because I have structural damage to my guitar?  I know that likely I need a tech to confirm the latter.  But I'm hoping that this is normal and there isn't suppose to be any glue here!
Thanks!

[markj]

I just checked my L-03 and my LV-10 50th Anniversary and I cannot get a piece of paper under the bridge.

I say you have an issue there. Get it to a competent guitar tech / luthier for analysis.

[unclrob]

I can't say how close to the edge Larrivee leave but as a repairperson get it fixed.More then likely no brace damage mostly because it sits over the bridge plate.Sometime's things just happen I've seen it all type's of guitars over the last 50 years I've been doing service and repair.

[ducktrapper]

No, that's not good.  I doubt very much if it was "poorly glued", however.  Odds are this is a storage problem.  I would bet some dehydration has likely taken place.  The danger is that, eventually, the strings could pull it right off, if you wait too long and that might cause some damage.  I would take the tension off of them and find a reputable repair person.  It's not a major deal if you find someone who knows what they're doing and afterwards, you're going to have to pay more attention to humidity and hydration. Just sayin'.

[B0WIE]

One of my more expensive Larrivees had a poorly glued bridge but yours has all the signs of bridge lift. Definitely have it reglued.   It's a relatively easy fix for a competent tech.

[ducktrapper]

One of my more expensive Larrivees had a poorly glued bridge but yours has all the signs of bridge lift. Definitely have it reglued.   It's a relatively easy fix for a competent tech.

I dunno, the bridge on my 1975 L started lifting back in the late 70's. I also had the top crack. It happened because at that time, I knew nothing about solid wood guitars and humidity and living in Northwestern Ontario, I should have. We'd all rather blame everyone but ourselves for our troubles but in reality ... mea culpa. Easy fix though.     

[B0WIE]

I dunno, the bridge on my 1975 L started lifting back in the late 70's. I also had the top crack. It happened because at that time, I knew nothing about solid wood guitars and humidity and living in Northwestern Ontario, I should have. We'd all rather blame everyone but ourselves for our troubles but in reality ... mea culpa. Easy fix though.     

I'm not sure which you were disagreeing about but if it was about mine having a poor glue job, there was no doubt.  It was a brand new instrument and there was a big area that had no glue under one of the wings.  I noticed it the first day because I was cleaning up the buffing compound that they sloppily left behind and saw the gap.  I sent pics to Larrivee and they offered to fix it for free, under warranty.  I was surprised about those two issues because this was one of their more expensive models.  Still, probably the best sounding Larrivee I've owned.

[ducktrapper]

I'm not sure which you were disagreeing about but if it was about mine having a poor glue job, there was no doubt.  It was a brand new instrument and there was a big area that had no glue under one of the wings.  I noticed it the first day because I was cleaning up the buffing compound that they sloppily left behind and saw the gap.  I sent pics to Larrivee and they offered to fix it for free, under warranty.  I was surprised about those two issues because this was one of their more expensive models.  Still, probably the best sounding Larrivee I've owned.

I suppose I take everybody's word for things and while I don't discount what you say and since you're not revealing this problem on your first post in several years, fifth in all, I give you much credence. I am merely stating the obvious. It is much more likely to be the owner's miscare than the manufacturers mistake. No disrespect to the original poster but I'm always leery of first time posters who immediately tell of a problem. Much more so than a regular with over a thousand posts.      

[Danny]

 Not all that uncommon on any guitar. But easy to repair.

[eded]

Not all that uncommon on any guitar. But easy to repair.

Yep.  Regardless of the cause, it should be fixed.

Ed

[Aln]

Thanks everyone. Sounds like I need to have it looked at. It's possible I let it dry out, but it didn't have any of the other more usual signs of a dry guitar. And I live in Vancouver- a practical rain forest. But I do admit to not humidifying and we did have an abnormally cold winter so I guess it's quite possible that it did. But again - n signs of dryness and I play every day. I'll get it checked out and report back here. Gentlemen place your bets!!  😜

[eded]

Thanks everyone. Sounds like I need to have it looked at. It's possible I let it dry out, but it didn't have any of the other more usual signs of a dry guitar. And I live in Vancouver- a practical rain forest. But I do admit to not humidifying and we did have an abnormally cold winter so I guess it's quite possible that it did. But again - n signs of dryness and I play every day. I'll get it checked out and report back here. Gentlemen place your bets!!  😜

Do you hate the guitar?  It's their fault.  See what you can get out of it.

Do you love the guitar?  It doesn't matter whose fault it is.  Fix it and play the heck out of it.

Ed

[Danny]

Thanks everyone. Sounds like I need to have it looked at. It's possible I let it dry out, but it didn't have any of the other more usual signs of a dry guitar. And I live in Vancouver- a practical rain forest. But I do admit to not humidifying and we did have an abnormally cold winter so I guess it's quite possible that it did. But again - n signs of dryness and I play every day. I'll get it checked out and report back here. Gentlemen place your bets!!  😜

I would think the finish may have prevented the glue from bonding. It happens, I've repaired new guitars that had that problem. It really is no big deal though.

[Aln]

I'm back from the shop with my guitar playing and sounding better than ever!  The bridge was lifting off and so was removed and re-glued. 
My guitar had dried out this winter afterall! The repair person told me that the bridge was actually glued very well at the factory but had begun lifting off because of dryness.  I'm in Vancouver and incorrectly believed that our mild winters and humid climate negated the need for humidifying in the winter. 
I'll be keeping my guitar in its case with a case humidifier next winter when I'm not playing it!

Thanks for all your replies!

[Strings4Him]

Thanks for the update.  Glad all is well.

[broKen]

Good to hear. RH below 40% for a long time can be detrimental. Get a good hygrometer to be sure.

[markj]

Good to hear you have your guitar back and that the issue was taken care of by a professional.

Now play the daylights out of it!