my top got arched down

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FullMetalGuitarist

Posts: 88
Joined: Aug. 22 2011

my top got arched down

I took a metal ruler and put it on my guitar top , and found that it got an arch downwards (U) .
If I remember right , I should raze the humid level , but it is already 60%.

any suggestions ?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 16 2012 17:49:03

Gimar Yestra

Posts: 298
Joined: Jan. 19 2011
From: The Netherlands

RE: my top got arched down (in reply to FullMetalGuitarist)

did it dip in front of behind the bridge?

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 16 2012 17:59:00

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: my top got arched down (in reply to FullMetalGuitarist)

I can imagine its an arch in front of the bridge. If I´m right, how deep is it? A bit of "dishing" is pretty common. What guitar is it?

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 16 2012 18:32:14

FullMetalGuitarist

Posts: 88
Joined: Aug. 22 2011

RE: my top got arched down (in reply to FullMetalGuitarist)

Indeed it is in front of the bridge .
Its about 1.5 mm

The guitar is and Esteve F5 flamenco (solid top) made in 2007.
I got her 6 months ago so I have no idea in what conditions it was kept till then.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 16 2012 18:40:29

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: my top got arched down (in reply to FullMetalGuitarist)

Well, The dishing is because the guitar is build a little bit on the soft side. 1,5mm is acceptable (But not more than 1,5mm). I´ve seen +5000,-€ from very famous builders with a dishing like that.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 17 2012 7:10:02

FullMetalGuitarist

Posts: 88
Joined: Aug. 22 2011

RE: my top got arched down (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

I see , what do you mean under "soft side"?
And what can I do if it'll get over 1,5 ?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 17 2012 7:15:27

Ruphus

Posts: 3782
Joined: Nov. 18 2010

RE: my top got arched down (in reply to FullMetalGuitarist)

quote:

ORIGINAL: FullMetalGuitarist

And what can I do if it'll get over 1,5 ?

Maybe check out the hygrometer. Inaccuarcy is rather common with these, unless being calibrated from time to time.

Could also be the top won´t take well high tension strings tilting the bridge, which results in a dip before the bridge and a lift behind it.

Ruphus

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 17 2012 12:13:40

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: my top got arched down (in reply to FullMetalGuitarist)

Ruphus is right. The dishing comes from the string tension tilting the bridge. Thats why I said that the guitar was on the soft side. A stiffer bracing or a thicker soundboard prevents that.
Most probably nothing will happen at least for a long time. If it gets serious, and the guitar is not something very dear to you or expensive, then you do nothing. You live with it or buy something else. If its a very fine or dear guitar, then the back can be taken of and new braces fitted. I think Julian Bream had that done on his Romanillos. But its a lot of work ($, €)

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 17 2012 12:57:25

FullMetalGuitarist

Posts: 88
Joined: Aug. 22 2011

RE: my top got arched down (in reply to FullMetalGuitarist)

Hum , I indeed put a normal-hard strings instead of normal , but only for 1 day. Is it enough to cause dishing?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 17 2012 15:46:01

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: my top got arched down (in reply to FullMetalGuitarist)

No.. It´ll most probaly dish, but less with normal tension

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 17 2012 20:34:21

FullMetalGuitarist

Posts: 88
Joined: Aug. 22 2011

RE: my top got arched down (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

I see , well , I guess you learn with the time to pay attention to more and more small details , that make the whole picture.

Thanks you Anders , Ruphus and Gimar for the help.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 18 2012 11:16:04

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: my top got arched down (in reply to FullMetalGuitarist)

Dont worry to much.
I made a guitar that dished more or less like yours 8 years ago. I decided not to sell it and use it as my beater guitar. It hasnt changed during these 8 years. It sounds and plays really well.

You´re right. Many details and many things to learn. But if you like the guitar, enjoy it. It may last several decades. Now that its yours, stop focussing on the dishing and play it.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 18 2012 12:34:51