My Dad's 1963 J-50

[sdockery]

Hi Folks, I just joined the forum. Good to "meet" you all.

I recently "pre-inherited" my Dad's 1963 J-50 (he wasn't using it). It had a loose brace, and the action was VERY high (which is why Dad stopped playing it several years ago) and it had a plastic bridge, one of Gibson's dumbest ideas, in my opinion.

In January, I had Jeff Ponder in Manassas, VA glue the brace, adjust the neck (the action is really really nice now) and specially make a rosewood bridge. Jeff did a fabulous job.

Now, it's much louder and brighter, and I love it. My question is: Did having the crappy bridge replaced de-value the guitar at all? It's an academic question, since I don't plan to ever sell it, and it's a much better guitar now. It's my pride and joy!

Update: I did keep the original bridge and all its hardware (lots of screws and bolts!)

[nvosmeier]

I would keep the bridge regardless, in case you want to restore it back to the original condition. The plastic bridge was probably nylon, and can be hard to find. I have it on one of my SGs and really like it. It gives a different feel and sound.

[Wally]

SDocakery, welcome to the GDPRI. If the rosewood bridge was well done, personally I would prefer your guitar to a stock J-50 if cosmetics were equal. I play for sonics, and those plastic bridges were not quite filling the bill on that requirement. That is a personal perspective and not a market thing. IF a guitar was museum quality cosmetics except for the bridge replacement, soemone might object to an 'Exc Cond' or 'mint' description and an evaluation of the guitar at such a condition just because the bridge is not original.
For a player, a well-done rosewood bridge on that guitar improves the performance of that acoustic guitar.
nvosmeier, I take it that you are talking about the nylon saddles in an ABR-1 bridge on a Gibson electric, right? Different horse...different saddle...