DS-240 Belly Bulge

[CAugustBlatz]

Howdy, gang! In December of last year I decided to add a DS-240 to my fold. I’d liked the looks for a long time and finally had need of a second acoustic guitar.

I love it. It sounds good and plays well. It’s tonally distinct from my GAD40C. And it looks good hanging in the living room.

Two months ago I started noticing a bit of bulging behind the bass side of the bridge. It’s only on that side, which seemed suspicious to me. It still plays and sounds fine, but I feel like the belly bulge has become more noticeable in that time. It’s almost crease-like on the base side.

I have replaced the saddle with a custom carved bone saddle, and the same with the bridge pins. Otherwise the guitar is as it came. In terms of humidity, I live in Ohio where it’s very humid—we try to keep the house around 50-60% humidity if we can, so it’s unlikely that it’s dried out.

I’ve included a few photos of the area in question, as well as a close up of the corner of the bridge. Would love to hear thoughts on whether this should be a concern and what you’d do if it were yours. I ordered it through Sweetwater, so I’m well within the 2 year warranty period they offer.

 

[FNG]

Get an inspection mirror and take a look at the braces.

 

[CAugustBlatz]

Get an inspection mirror and take a look at the braces.

That’s a good thought. I’ve been wondering about the braces. Thank you

 

[adorshki]

Howdy, gang! In December of last year I decided to add a DS-240 to my fold. I’d liked the looks for a long time and finally had need of a second acoustic guitar.

I love it. It sounds good and plays well. It’s tonally distinct from my GAD40C. And it looks good hanging in the living room.

Two months ago I started noticing a bit of bulging behind the bass side of the bridge. It’s only on that side, which seemed suspicious to me. It still plays and sounds fine, but I feel like the belly bulge has become more noticeable in that time. It’s almost crease-like on the base side.

I have replaced the saddle with a custom carved bone saddle, and the same with the bridge pins. Otherwise the guitar is as it came. In terms of humidity, I live in Ohio where it’s very humid—we try to keep the house around 50-60% humidity if we can, so it’s unlikely that it’s dried out.

I’ve included a few photos of the area in question, as well as a close up of the corner of the bridge. Would love to hear thoughts on whether this should be a concern and what you’d do if it were yours. I ordered it through Sweetwater, so I’m well within the 2 year warranty period they offer.

Welcome CAugust!
Actually high humidity is more likely to be the cause of top swelling, not dryness, so possibly that's at least a partial cause, if the house's crept up above the mid '60's %, for example.

And while Guilds typically do have a bit of belly "built in" behind the bridge, yours does sound excessive. Suspect a brace has in fact let go as FNG mentioned.

 

[CAugustBlatz]

That was my suspicion as well, @adorshki. I checked them and didn’t feel any play in them. There’s a little bit of lifting at the corners of the bridge, both front and back, on the bass side. And a little chip in the bridge plate underneath. But beyond that I didn’t see anything screaming at me. I didn’t get feeler gauges out or anything though.

 

[FNG]

Are you running heavier strings?

 

[CAugustBlatz]

Are you running heavier strings?

I’m not. D’Addario phosphor bronze 12-56

 

[FNG]

Looks like the stock strings are 12-53. Since the bulge is on the larger string side, maybe run a lighter string as recommended and see if that helps.

 

[schoolie]

Actually, the A, D, and G strings in a light set have higher tension than a 0.056" low E string. Can you take it to a repair shop for an inspection? A good shop will take a quick look for free and give their opinion.

 

[CAugustBlatz]

Actually, the A, D, and G strings in a light set have higher tension than a 0.056" low E string. Can you take it to a repair shop for an inspection? A good shop will take a quick look for free and give their opinion.

This’ll be my next step, for sure. I may just see how Sweetwater’s support center wants to handle it and take a drive out that way one weekend. Seems like folks here are as concerned as me lol

 

[adorshki]

This’ll be my next step, for sure. I may just see how Sweetwater’s support center wants to handle it and take a drive out that way one weekend. Seems like folks here are as concerned as me lol

'at's how we roll 'round here.
Even if we don't own it, it should still be representin' for the brand.

 

[CAugustBlatz]

Just contacted my Sweetwater rep—we'll see what they say!

Here are a couple more photos in case anyone's interested. The corners of the bridge seem like they're lifting just a hair. either that or they just weren't glued down completely in the first place? Haven't handled or closely inspected any other DS-240s so I have no frame of reference there.