The high E string is cutting into the bridge

Gondebaud · August 25

Does anyone have a solution for it ? The bridge wood may be too soft, but provides the perfect sound, then I was wondering if some small thing could be placed below the string, I f someone was already facing this problem.

voutoreenie · August 25

I had this same problem with my 2006 Park Encore, high E slot started to get tiny "micro fracture" chips - Shelley told me that a skilled string instrument luthier might be able to fill it in with something but ultimately I just decided to order a new bridge from her (which ended up being basically identical to the original, couldn't be any happier with it). Still have the old bridge tho, might still consider bringing it to a luthier to see if salvageable if only just to have a back up.

But yeah, what an annoying problem, that "sitar" buzz from the bad slot sucks eggs and extra shims really didn't help address the problem at all...didn't try putting anything under the actual string tho so please update if that actually works, OP.

Buco · August 25

Maybe a drop of good quality super glue or something similar to harden the slot?

TheGarethJones · August 25

I literally just lift it up and move it next to the slot on the bridge on one side or the other. If i was gigging seriously, I’d just get a new bridge as I imagine there are SOME tonal implications, but as I’m still in the “how does that one go?” stage of my development, it’s a fine solution.

ethanwm · August 25

What about sanding away the old marks, cutting new ones with the X-Acto/mini files, and shimming the bottom?

flaco · August 25

I haven’t tried it, but the skinny E string on violins comes with a small piece of tubing for just such a reason. You might try it on your guitar and see if it helps.

pdg · August 25

Possibly if the width of the top of the bridge that the 1st string sits on were slightly bigger, the force would be better distributed and the string wouldn't dig in.

Gondebaud · August 25

The bridge is reshaped each 3 months, at the top and bottom is shimmed. It goes too fast. Rosewood seems perfect, although it is too soft, the guitar has optimal resonnance.

Thanks for your answers: a small piece of tubing or a wider place where the string sits to decrease the pressure would solve the problem.