Does a shim affect value of an acoustic?

[aullucci]

I came across a used Breedlove I like, at a pretty good price. I don't know the year, but it looks to be in great shape. The seller told me that it had a neck shim installed. Now I don't think shims are that big a deal, but this is my first big boy acoustic and I'm unsure of my footing. Would a shim diminish value? If it matters, the shim was installed under the soundboard. The photo from the seller is here:

I honestly don't even know if this is well or poorly done. Seller tells me it was made of mahogany and carved to match the saddle, but I have no idea what that means. If you were looking at a guitar and found this in the sound hole, no big deal or run like hell?

This is the rest of the guitar

media_2d5636d9-de4c-4cad-82a0-72f90d5ebe2b_160x160.jpg (21.49 KiB) Viewed 2845 times

Thanks in advance

[mickey]

I've only been messing with acoustic guitars for 60+ years
so perhaps it is understandable this is something I've never heard of??????

[devdem]

Me too, not sure at all about what this is referring to. Can you get a tight, up close pic?

[fullonshred]

I see the shim under the soundboard. Runs parallel to the soundboard, just underneath it in the middle. I had to Right Click>View Image and then expand it to see it clearly. But I have ZERO idea what this does to the value of the guitar.

Are you able to get your hands on it and play it? I am guessing not, or you would have mentioned how it sounds/plays.

At any rate, good luck to you!

[mickey]

I see the shim under the soundboard. Runs parallel to the soundboard, just underneath it in the middle. I had to Right Click>View Image and then expand it to see it clearly. But I have ZERO idea what this does to the value of the guitar.

Are you able to get your hands on it and play it? I am guessing not, or you would have mentioned how it sounds/plays.

At any rate, good luck to you!

There is normally a piece of wood there called a "bridge plate" often made of maple, rosewood or other strong hardwood similar size/shape as the bridge.
But they do not have a "tongue" hanging down like I see in the soundhole pic????
Shimming the saddle is not uncommon, but this does not appear to be the topic here.

[aullucci]

I’m honestly not sure what I’m looking at either. And no, I have not had a chance to hold it in my hands.

So I guess I’m inartfully trying to ask two questions:
1. If an acoustic guitar had a shim, assuming it was properly done, would the presence of the shim by itself make the guitar cheaper or less valuable? Is it a common repair that’s no big deal, or a sign of a potential major problem?
2. To the extent it’s possible for you to judge, does this appear to be a ‘proper’ shim? I apologize but this is the only photo I have. But @fullonshred is right, it’s that little strip of wood in the middle. Apparently made of mahogany.

[Milkman]

Is it something like this maybe?

https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools- ... K6EALw_wcB

[ronnx]

Is it something like this maybe?

https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools- ... K6EALw_wcB

That's what what I was thinking when I saw the picture. I know JDLs are used at times to support the top that may be starting to cave. Or for tone bar applications.

[devdem]

I have a feeling this isn't about the bridge doctor (which do/did come standard on Breedlove guitars from what I recall).

If the owner is referring to a neck shim, we are looking at the wrong end of the guitar. You'll need to get more background from the seller. And I can't imagine an acoustic with a neck shim in some form. Certainly Breedloves don't have a bolt on neck(?)

[devdem]

I spoke too soon. See bolt on neck references in the below link:


So I could then see the possibility of a shim. The next step is to figure out why an adjustable neck would require a shim. I can see the possibility but would want to know more before I shelled out good money on a guitar.

[nomadh]

Its a breedlove "feature"
I cant decide if I like it or not. Its certainly innovative and will help to keep the guitar functional and solve the belly bulge issue middle aged acoustics can get. So I think this would be what hes referring to but I think its certainly by design. I suspect something like this could hurt the tone but at one time I really liked some of the breedloves I played. But more recently I wasn't as impressed. Certainly not bad. If you liked the tone and the price was good I think its fine.

[nomadh]

I have a feeling this isn't about the bridge doctor (which do/did come standard on Breedlove guitars from what I recall).

If the owner is referring to a neck shim, we are looking at the wrong end of the guitar. You'll need to get more background from the seller. And I can't imagine an acoustic with a neck shim in some form. Certainly Breedloves don't have a bolt on neck(?)

Taylors are bolt ons and its a great feature as some repairs can take 20 min and be free vs a martin with a $1000 neck reset. And breedlove is an offshoot of the guys from taylor.

[mickey]

@nomadh methinks you are confused about where the shim in question is located.

[aullucci]

Yeah, so the fact that there’s no quick consensus that it’s no big deal means I’m going to pass. I won’t have an opportunity to put hands on it before buying. Without seeing and feeling it, I don’t want the potential headache. And honestly, as though this thread has not made it pretty obvious already, I don’t know a whole hell of a lot about acoustics anyway. Even if I did hold it and play it, I’m not sure I’d know what to be looking for. Thanks everyone.

Guess I’ll have to keep shopping.

[motowntom]

Electrics are one thing, with some tools and experience most players can learn to fix most issues. I have been repairing acoustics for a while now, and would say this design by Breedlove has surprised me, not something I want inside the body, I get the reasoning, but still don't want it. With a proper bracing system, and sound assembly, an acoustic should last decades in most moderate climates. Also unlike elec. you need to play the guitar before purchase, I would pass.
Cheers