JLD Acoustic Guitar Bridge Pins (#AN3694)

I recently put the Bridge Doctor in a 50 year old Martin D12-28 12-string that had been carelessly stored for the past 20 years and had developed a large belly bulge causing the bridge to tilt significantly toward the sound hole resulting poor action and poor intonation, and almost no break angle on the fundamental strings. Apparently, this is a common problem with 12-strings due to the extra string tension on the soundboard.Some research which led me to two methods to correct belly bulge. The first was to remove the bridge and clamp two hot plates around the bridge area then wait - sounded like an expensive trip to a luthier. The other was the Bridge Doctor. The reviews were encouraging and installation looked to be pretty simple, so before taking the guitar to a luthier, I gave it a try.Although the brass pins version is recommended for 12-strings, I went with the screw version. I didn't like the look of the brass pins and was concerned about not having enough break angle - plus the brass pin version cost more than twice as much.Installation was easy. I used a screw driver type handle that accepted my drill bits, allowing me good control. After I'd cut the rod to length and made sure it contacted the tail block, I tightened it in with the Allen screw, being careful not to overtighten. I'd expected it would take some time for the soundboard and bridge to adjust, and would be followed by additional tightening. However, I was very surprised to find that even after the initial installation, the bulk of the belly bulge was already gone and the bridge tilt was much improved.Over the past week, I have checked the tension on the Allen screw every couple days and found that I was able to give it 1/2 turn the first time, a 1/4 turn the 2nd, since then it's stayed about the same.The result? When I started, the belly bulge measured over 6mm - now it's about 1mm, about the same as my new D-18. The bridge tilt has leveled significantly, so that now the action, the intonation, and the string break angle over the saddle are all good.The Bridge Doctor saved me hundreds of dollars that I'd have had to pay a luthier to fix this guitar. I now have a guitar that plays great and saved a lot of money. What's not to like? Got an older 12-string that starting to show some belly bulge? Install Bridge Doctor, or take it to your luthier and have them install one for you. It'll remove the bulge you have and prevent it from coming back.One thing to note, the dot which was provided to go into the screw hole in the bridge is black, not abalone. This would have worked better for me anyway as all my bridge pins are black, but instead I made a wooden plug cut to an exact fit and stained it to match my rosewood bridge.

JLD bridge belly device worked for me. I have a 50 year old no name guitar that formed a belly and the bridge tilted forward throwing the intonation off a bit. I clamped a nice straight piece of wood across the belly portion of the guitar and added a couple bar clamps. I left it sit like this for several days. Then when the JLD arrived, I installed it acording to the directions. So far the belly is almost completely gone. There are other devices like this out there but I'd steer clear of the cheeper ones. Also don't over tighten the screw that goes into the plastic part of the JLD. I can see how that could strip out pretty easily. Just snug it up. All in all a good repair was made.

a great way to save a slightly sunken soundboard (top) I used it on a vintage MIJ Aria acoustic and it worked well. Just make sure you don't overtighten to hex rod as it could break. It doesn't take that much pressure too lift back up most tops.

If you are skeptical, try one. They work even if the bridge has a slight belly. I have used these twice and they really work and to my ear, even enhance the sound a bit. Easy to install but I recommend the use of a Brad point bit to make the final drill hole because it makes a flat bottom hole for the plug. It’s not necessary but works better IMHO. Genius product. Well worth the price

It does what it claims. It's not a combination neck reset and top flattening, but it does reduce the bow in the top considerably. I have a 1963 Guild F-30 that I bought new. I didn't take very good care of it when I was younger and the top has a pronounced bow. It's a very nice sounding guitar. It's horrible looking and people are often surprised by the sound. I figured that the worst that would happen would be that the device wouldn't do anything. One little installation surprise was that I had to cut it down a bit. It was bigger than the cross section of the body under the bridge plate. A couple minutes with a razor saw solved that. The rest of the installation was a snap. To drill the hole in the bridge I made a pilot hole with an electric drill and then used a quick change bit in a ratchet screw driver to enlarge the screw hole. No problems. If I did a couple of these I think I could get the installation time down to under 30 minutes.I've adjusted it a couple of times and reduced the bow. Bonus, there is a bit more sustain. Because the neck angle is changed there is a bit of buzz that wasn't there before. I haven't gotten around to that yet.All in all this is a good way to improve a guitar you care about but don't want to spend a huge amount on. This is much cheaper than getting the top flattened professionally. It improves the action and, in my case, changed the tone a bit for the better. Expect to need some set up after installation. You are changing the geometry of the guitar. One con. The piece of plastic described as MOP was dark grey in mine. I used a bit of silicone putty to anchor it in the hole.

fits and works perfectly in removing the bulge in my guitar top

It really did eliminate the belly bulge. It also made the guitar more resonant for better sustain and clarity, which surprised me. It was easy to install and worth the money.

Brought a 50 year old Ovation guitar back to playable. Easy to install, the effect was immediate. I let the guitar sit for several days to settle in, massive improvement to the bridge placement