[The local Dave]

Hi everyone, I got a six year old D-28 a few weeks ago, but recently the fingerboard, and in paticular the bridge have been 'drying up', they're getting little lines or cracks or whatever you want to call them, and they seem to be getting worse, and more of them. Also, the top of the guitar is not totally flat, it bulges a bit on the side of the bass strings, below the bridge. I keep the guitar in it's hard shell case when i'm not playing it.

My question is: is this to do with humidity?, too much? , not enough? etc, or is it something else? what can I do about it? It's really starting to bug me now.

Thanks

[kg815]

if it's that worrying to you then i would highly suggest taking it in to a professional to have it set up. this will included straightening out the neck, oiling the fretboard, re-stringing and anything else pertaining to the guitar's intonation. for max 50 bucks i think it would be well worth it for you to do this.

[dadfad]

Kg815 might be right. If I had to guess I would say too dried out and possibly too heavy of strings in its past. If it were mine I would keep it in its case for awhile with a damp sponge in a loose plasic baggie in there with it (or a guitar humidifier), make sure the strings are no heavier than Light guage and clean and wipe down the fretboard and bridge with a natural not-petroleum based oil, like lemon-oil, grape-seed oil, or even olive oil (not too heavy, just cleaned and wiped down with it and then wiped off clean again.) If that doesn't help you might want to have it looked at for the bellying near the bridge. Does the bridge itself have any "lift" to it on that side (as in a paper-thin line where it has begun to loosen from the top?) Also, when you change the strings next, put your hand inside the soundhole and gently feel around for any possibly loose bracing on the bottom-side of the top. A slight bellying is normal as a guitar ages, but it should not be too excessive.

[AcousticSmash]

Kg815 might be right. If I had to guess I would say too dried out and possibly too heavy of strings in its past. If it were mine I would keep it in its case for awhile with a damp sponge in a loose plasic baggie in there with it (or a guitar humidifier), make sure the strings are no heavier than Light guage and clean and wipe down the fretboard and bridge with a natural not-petroleum based oil, like lemon-oil, grape-seed oil, or even olive oil (not too heavy, just cleaned and wiped down with it and then wiped off clean again.) If that doesn't help you might want to have it looked at for the bellying near the bridge. Does the bridge itself have any "lift" to it on that side (as in a paper-thin line where it has begun to loosen from the top?) Also, when you change the strings next, put your hand inside the soundhole and gently feel around for any possibly loose bracing on the bottom-side of the top. A slight bellying is normal as a guitar ages, but it should not be too excessive.

My dad's old Sigma, which was Martin's import company back in the 80's, has a similar problem I noticed, and it was because of heavy strings being used on it. However I had it fixed and it works great now except for on the 5th fret at the bottom end the low E string buzzes because the fret has a ding in it which I need to get filled or something.

[The local Dave]

Many thanks for your help, people. It's a great help.
Dadfad, the bridge seems pretty solid to me, but I'll stick a set of Martin lights on it tomorrow, and put a damp sponge in the case with the geetar, and see how it goes.
Other than that, it really is an orgasmic experience playing it, great smell as well!

Thanks again, James

[lowden]

I somehow doubt the lack of humidity is the problem, considering you live on the Scotish Borders............. not much lack of liquid in the air around those parts ................. I'ld have it checked out though by a pro, the symptoms might point to dryness, lack of humidity, (the cracks you mention) in the wood but I live in Ireland and find myself combating high humidity i.e. I get too much of it and have a de-humidifier in my guitar storage room. I've measured the relative humidity in my home and it about 65% most times of the year, slightly lower in summer. 65% is considered by most manufacturers as the start of the 'high humidity problem' area. 45%-50% is considered 'perfect'

Don't leave that wet sponge in the case for too long - it might not be the problem. High Humidity problems tend to show themselves is various ways including bulging around the bridge and a 'lack of clarity' in the sound as the wood gets waterlogged it expands, with low humidity the wood contracts.

Check out the article here from L'Arrivee Guitars

http://www.larrivee....y/humidity.html

also a good article from Santa Cruz

http://www.santacruz...care/index.html

This post has been edited by lowden: 03 October 2006 - 02:45 PM