Belly Bulge

[Steverino]

I’ve had this Alvarez Model 5021 12-string for years, found in a pawn shop for 75 bucks. Alvarez upped their game later with the Yairi etc. but these first runs, made in Japan, weren’t the best. As such, I thought I’d try my hand at fixing it.

It was mostly unplayable, action way too high. Truss rod adjustments didn’t do much, it was damn near straight under zero string tension. As I’ve gotten deeper into guitar repair (I won’t call it “luthiery” as I’m a novice), I realized I had much bigger problems with this one; (1) the bridge was lifting off the top and (2) it was showing the dreaded acoustic guitar Belly Bulge.

I read that a typical guitar can have 100-120lbs of pulling force on the bridge and approaching 300lbs on the bridge of a 12-string. All acoustics all have a bit of a bulge at the bridge, but not this bad.

So, I started reading, watching videos, and buying certain tools (StewMac makes the best, but no way could I afford a lot of their stuff). I’ve never pulled off a glued-on bridge. I used a heat gun and pried it off with a cake icing spatula.

I tried using heat to coax the top back down, Heat gun, heat lamp, even some steam to force it down and it moved down a good bit but after the clamps were released, some the progress disappeared and the top came back up about half way.

I went with the only option left; a JLD Bridge Doctor (not pictured). I heard that this rig works but can also rob tone, but I tried it. It worked like a champ and pulled the top down a good bit. I didn’t notice any change sonically. Before the Bridge Dr. went in, I glued the bridge back on with Titebond using a clamp and caul. I can’t believe it holds 12 strings, but it does. And that adjustable bridge was a big pain.

It’s playable now, sounds great, but now the tuners are worn out! I’m now looking for a solution to that. Moral of the story, take the tension off your strings if you’re putting it up for a while. It was though, imo a successful and more importantly, a good learning experience.

 

[dodgechargerfan]

Nice work.

I put the bridge dr in my Fender 12-string as soon as I noticed a slight belly.
It’s held things in check years now.

….I should go check on it though.

 

[nuke_diver]

My 12 string is circa 1985. I leave it tuned is D to lower the stress on the neck and bridge. It seems to be working

 

[Steverino]

Nice work.

I put the bridge dr in my Fender 12-string as soon as I noticed a slight belly.
It’s held things in check years now.

….I should go check on it though.

The only thing I didn’t like about the BDr was/is a hole must be drilled through the bridge and top. Instead of using the little pearl plug, I mixed some glue with the bridge shavings and packed it into the hole.

 

[Lerxst]

I had an alverez 12 from the early 1990s and it was a great guitar.
Everyone who picked it up couldnt stop playing it. It wound up getting pretty abused over the years...several cracks in the top and some punctures in the sides. Having it fixed would have cost more than i paid for it. So i tried fixing it and it was servicable for several more years. Ugly but servicable.

 

[Gary Blanchard]

Back in the 60s, when I got my first 12 string guitar, I followed Pete Seeger's advice and tuned it down to D and bought a capo. Newer 12 strings are better made, I believe, and can handle standard tuning, but not the older ones.

Funny, I used to play exclusively on a 12 string; now I don't own one.

 

[Steverino]

I've heard/read about tuning it down and using a capo, I may give that a try. I was so naive/ignorant about guitars when I first started playing them. I had no idea that they (mostly acoustics) needed setting up first. I'd buy one, take it home and fret till my fingers bled.

Gary, my first 12 was an Ovation, I loved it except for the round back.

 

[Gary Blanchard]

I've heard/read about tuning it down and using a capo, I may give that a try. I was so naive/ignorant about guitars when I first started playing them. I had no idea that they (mostly acoustics) needed setting up first. I'd buy one, take it home and fret till my fingers bled.

Gary, my first 12 was an Ovation, I loved it except for the round back.

My first 12 was a Decca. I saved up my money to go to Music House in Harundale Mall and paid $100 for it. I remember it was behind the counter and I had to show the money before they would let me try it. The week before, a friend walked in barefoot and played a number of Gretsch and Fender guitars with no problem. (This is the model, but not the one I owned. I think.)

 

[jrockbridge]

I have a friend who has a large collection of Yamaha acoustics. He's paid very little for any of them. He's gotten some for free.

One of his acoustics feels like the truss rod detached. He had it tuned to standard pitch. The neck bow was extreme. The action was high. It was hard to play. I tuned it down a full step and the neck straightened out. The intonation was good tuned a step down. It played well.

I like having guitars around that are not tuned standard. It can help me approach playing something a bit different.