About Chris Jaster Expertise Any question related to electric or acoustic guitar/bass repair or building finishing etc.
Experience I'm a professional luthier (guitar builder) and owner of JBC Instruments in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. We are a successful guitar repair and building shop focused on attention to detail, pride in workmanship and total customer satisfaction.
Education/Credentials Certificate of Luthiery (Building/Repairing stringed instruments) obtained from Timeless Instruments in Tugaske Saskatchewan Canada under Master Luthier David Freeman.
Expert: Chris Jaster Date: 4/3/2008 Subject: Guitar Bridge
Question
"I recently bought a strat-style body of a guitar. It arrived with a small crack in between the bridge and the pickguard. Some of the top bridge screws seem to not be fully screwed into the body. Which potentially could be the source of the crack. How important is it to fix this? Will it lead to more problems?"
Answer Hello Rob. It depends on the crack really. Is the crack into the wood or is it a finish crack only. If it is in the wood there is always some potential of water or something getting in their and causing blushing under the finish which isn't the best look on a guitar. If it is just in the finish than there no real cause for concern other than that it may eventually crack more exposure to rapid with temperature change. If you bought the guitar new and it arrived damaged I'd take it back and have it worked on under warranty. Now as for the bridge screws it is normal for them all not to be sucked down tight to the body. If you take it to a local luthier or repair shop they will be able to set them in a way which suits your tremolo style. My experience is that new guitars always need to be set up to the needs of the players style anyway. Hope this helps.
Chris Jaster
Luthier
