Guitar Owner : “ hey man, when strumming the guitar, i heard rattling sounds from the guitar body .”
Maestro Guitars Sfaff: “ ( after strumming a few chords) YEA~~~, i suspect the guitar bracings are loosen. Tell you what... please leave the guitar here, i will deliver the guitar to our guitar workshop and let our technician to confirm the culprit. Once confirmed , he will give you a call.
(At the workshop) Gotcha...
Guitar bracings are the internal reinforcement or support of a guitar top and back.
- To keep the guitar from collapsing or deform from string tensions
(Note: total tension of a set of light gauge acoustic steel strings is about 70+ kg, medium gauge; is about 80kg;easily..... a set of normal tension nylon classical guitars strings is about 35kg , hard tension is about 40kg )
What are the causes of loose bracings?
The cause can be quite complex.
Generally there are 4 factors:
1) The guitar subjected to extremely high and low temperature (note: ideal temperature is around 16.5 - 25.5 degree Celcius)
2) The guitar subjected to extreme low & high relative humidity (note: ideal relative humidity for a guitar is around 45- 55%)
3) Any accident due to human recklessness
In short, if your guitar fulfill any criteria as per above. You are risking your guitar into any sort of problems.
- sand or scrap away the old glue.
- apply special wood glue on very thin spatula & push in loose bracing gaps.
- Use jacks (photo shown below) ; well...sometimes clamps were used, depending on the location of the loose brace
- clean away the excess glue before it dries.
- wait for the glue to dry up
“ after fixing it, will my guitar tone be altered?”
short answer: experience tells me ....yes but very subtle (sometimes,even better)
Long answer: What the heck am i suppose to know your guitar?!!!! unless, i tested your guitar before the bracings were loosen & after the fixed.
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Maestro guitar HQ & Hospital
9 Kaki Bukit Road 2
Gordon Warehouse
Unit #04-34
Singapore 417842
Opening Hours:
Weekdays -9am to 6pm
Saturday - 10am to 2pm
Sunday & PH - Close
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