Electric Guitar with Start-Style Bridge

• 1). Loosen the guitar strings by turning the tuning pegs clockwise until the strings are loose enough, and not pulling on the bridge.
  
  
• 2). Pace the guitar on a workbench, string side down. Remove the bridge well cover plate by unscrewing the screws with a Philips screwdriver.
  
  
• 3). Tighten both sides of the spring claw found at the top of the bridge well with a Philips screwdriver. Count how many times you turn the screwdriver on each spring claw screw to ensure both sides are tightened evenly. Tighten the spring claw until the bridge block no longer wiggles.
  
  
• 4). Refasten the bridge well cover plate and turn the guitar over. Tighten the screws found on the left and right side of the bridge with a Philips screwdriver. Tighten the screws until there is a 1/8-inch space between the bridge and the guitar body.
  
  
• 5). Tighten the guitar strings by turning the tuning pegs counterclockwise. Play the guitar to test the bridge adjustment. Tighten the spring claw slightly if you still hear a fret-rattling sound.
  
  

Electric Guitar with Gibson-Style Bridge

• 1). Loosen the strings by turning the tuning pegs clockwise until they no longer pull on the bridge.
  
  
• 2). Loosen the two locking studs on the left and right side of the bridge with a flat-head screwdriver. Push the bridge against the bolts toward the neck of the guitar with your thumbs.
  
  
• 3). Tighten the locking studs onto the correctly positioned bridge with a flat-head screwdriver until snug.
  
  
• 4). Tighten the strings and play the guitar while listening for a fret-buzzing sound. Tighten the locking studs on the bridge some more until the buzzing stops.
  
  

Acoustic Guitar Bridge

• 1). Remove the guitar strings completely from the guitar by turning the tuning pegs clockwise until the strings are loose, pulling the strings off the tuning key posts and pulling them out of the bridge.
  
  
• 2). Insert a sharp, thin knife between the bridge and the guitar body at the point where the bridge is lifting up. Work the knife around the edge of the bridge to break the glue seal, being careful not to dig into the wood.
  
  
• 3). Insert a putty knife into the seam between the guitar and bridge. Hold the putty knife at a slight angle toward the body of the guitar. Tap the back of the putty knife handle with the palm of your hand with moderate pressure until the bridge pops off.
  
  
• 4). Remove the old glue from the glue side of the bridge and the guitar body by lightly rubbing sandpaper against the wood.
  
  
• 5). Apply a thin, even coat of carpenter's glue to both the bridge and the guitar body. Position the bridge back onto the guitar body exactly as it was and push it down firmly.
  
  
• 6). Clamp the left and right side of the bridge down with two C-clamps. Allow the glue to dry for 24 hours before removing the C-clamps and restringing the guitar.