Gibson LG1 Plastic Bridge Replacement

Model: Gibson LG-1, mid-60s

One of my favorite repairs is the Gibson LG1 plastic bridge replacement. This little LG1 is going to be a beauty once again.

Norlin-era Gibsons were strange birds. They were wonderful, well-made guitars but the top brass had too many ideas about cutting costs and eliminating warranty work, so they developed the adjustable bridge saddle. I guess they figured customers would be so busy adjusting their guitar action they wouldn’t notice the metal screw anchors and huge plywood bridge plate killing the sound.

But around 1963, they created molded plastic bridges. Gluing the bridge was a thing of the past and now employees could just use four machine screws to attach it. However, these bridges are hollow and have zero structural integrity, so the top pulls, wood cracks, braces pop loose…and your guitar is unplayable.

Or is it? Bread and butter for lots of luthiers are creating a period-correct Rosewood bridge. Many good guitars are devalued by sloppy work here…

This bridge has the right shape and profile, but being freshly cut is a tad too red. The wood should oxidize over time to resemble 60-year-old Brazilian Rosewood.

L earn more about the Gibson L series.