Harmony bridge plate overlay?

[hat]

I've read that some have done a hardwood overlay on the bridgeplate on old Harmony guitars. I'm curious what size and thickness would work for this? What about just a very thin overlay of something hard, such as a platemate, or piece of laminate, like Formica?

[redir]

Are you trying to fix a damaged plate? There may be better solutions.

[John Arnold]

Hardwood overlays that I have used were typically around 1/16" by 5/8" by 2 3/4" long. I have used various hardwoods including sugar maple, rosewood, and black locust.
Formica would also work, but I draw the line on metal of any kind, including a PlateMate.

[hat]

Thanks. While the bridge plate isn't too bad right now, I think it might be prudent to do something to help protect it going forward. Harmony typically used spruce for the bridgeplate, not the toughest wood choice.

[H165]

I like messing with Harmony H162 and H165 guitars. They are ladder braced. I've taken a bunch of them apart. About half had spruce plates, half maple or birch (hard to tell at a glance). What they ALL have in common is that the plate goes all the way acrosss the guitar.

[John Arnold]

A full width bridgeplate is normal for ladder braced guitars. In general, spruce is preferred over hardwood for sound in this application, but should have a hardwood overlay or insert if a pin bridge is used.

[hat]

Next time I have the strings off, I'll have to take a peek inside and see what it looks like. Then decide on what, if any next steps are needed. Thanks.

[redir]

Yeah that style guitar the bridge plate is really both a bridge plate and a brace. a very thin hardwood patch to take the ball end strings is a good idea.

[redi]

Originally Posted by hat

I've read that some have done a hardwood overlay on the bridgeplate on old Harmony guitars. I'm curious what size and thickness would work for this? What about just a very thin overlay of something hard, such as a platemate, or piece of laminate, like Formica?

I have a guitar that needed an overlay and fashioned a platemate-style and sized overlay out of 3K 1mm thick carbon fiber panel. Used a scotch dot roller for on one side for the stickum. Works fine, strong, inexpensive, weighs nothing.

[John Arnold]

Most any hardwood will do. Tough woods like sugar maple or beech are favored for split resistance. My preferred overlay is black locust, 1/16" thick by 5/8" wide. Length is not critical, but IMHO it should extend at least 1/4" past the outside edge of the bridge pin holes.