Mannemarak
Ok, so I have a Cort CJ1F acoustic and saw that the top part just behind the bridge has a slight bubble (very slight but visible). Now, is this normal?? if not, can removing the strings and using a humidifier (does humidifiers actually work???) over couple of weeks help sort it out or does it need professional care?
Any advice will be appreciated, thanks
Gearhead
Humidifying is not going to glue anything back together. If there's no damage to the bracing, the guit doesn't need fixing. The tell-tale sound of loose braces can be easily heard when depressing the affected area by hand - be careful. It does help to take the strings off.
AlanRatcliffe
+1. I mute the strings with one hand and tap the top all around the bridge area with the edge of my other hand's thumb. Loose braces will usually slap back.
Mannemarak
Thanks guys, what usually causes this? overly humid places or less? My guess is more humidity and since we live in the lowveld it makes sense during summertime.
Any prevention methods for this?
AlanRatcliffe
Extremes of humidity and/or heat will do it - car boots or even back seat of a closed car on a hot day are lethal. It can also be down to cheap/ woods, bad construction or overly heavy strings (12-strings almost all develop a bad case within the first decade and cheaper ones after only a year or two - I've ). Any compromise to the top or bracing in front of the bridge as well as behind...
Simply put, keep it away from extremes (rule of thumb is, if you're happy in an environment, a guitar will usually be too) or rapid changes (hot club to cold car or vice versa). If you live in an overly humid environment, keep it in it's case when not playing and keep dessicants in the pocket. If it's overly dry, the same, but keep a humidifier in there or in the soundhole.
Mannemarak
Ok, so all the advice is greatly appreciated but just for interest sake, I see that the back of my guitar is also warped, I put a steel ruler on its edge and it can rock back and forth with about 4mm play either end from the middle. The top is the same.
In the room the guitar is kept it never gets direct sunlight so the temperature does not get overly hot, only in winter it gets to about 5 degrees at night in that room. The guitar is not kept in a case.
One thing I was wondering, it is not maybe the design of the guitar having a bit of a warped back??? I cannot remember it being so when I got it so I don't think so, also I can find no evidence on the internet on the design of that guitar.
I also checked as Alan said by tapping with my thumb near the bridge, I cannot hear any other noise after each tap. I also just had a quick feel inside the guitar if any of the supports or anything may be moving due to glue coming loose and I could feel nothing loose.
I guess I'll have to take it to a guitar repair center, the guitar is not very expensive but it has sentimental value, so it is worth repairing.
Shibbibilybob
Yes, almost all acoustic guitars will have a radiused back, so being able to rock a ruler back and forth is not unexpected at all. A radius on the top, too , is not uncommon.
I would look into a case for storage, but I'm not convinced that your guitar needs fixing.
Mannemarak
I can detect a slight raise behind the bridge, but cannot see or feel a dip in front of the bridge. I will take the steel ruler again and there should be a indentation or something if what is described above is the case. Otherwise I will invest in a case for prolonged life.
Thanks again for the advice guys ?
