A Guitar And Gear Support Forum

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
Thanks in advance

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

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

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!

fullonshred wrote: ↑Tue Nov 17, 2020 7:42 pm 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.

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.

Is it something like this maybe?

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

Milkman wrote: ↑Tue Nov 17, 2020 8:52 pm 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.

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(?)

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.

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.

devdem wrote: ↑Wed Nov 18, 2020 11:02 am 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.

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

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.

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