Buffing around the bridge

[Phil Walsh]

Something I've never gotten right is polishing the finish right up to the bridge. I've been gluing the bridge on pre-finish because I like to string up and test before committing to finishing, but then I can't get an even sanding and polish. Maybe I should go back to masking off the bridge location and then finish / buff. You would think after 9 guitars I should be able put the bridge in the right spot first try.

Anyway, how do you all do it?

[Clay Schaeffer]

I mask off most of the bridge foot print but leave a little wiggle room all the way around, and then scrape the finish off those areas after the neck is in place and a (semi)final location is determined. I rout the saddle slot in the bridge after it is glued to the top (to deal with any minor slippage) and sometimes will use a wider saddle if the situation warrants.

[Simon Magennis]

On my most recent classical (20 something ) I had strings on before I carved the neck! Getting a nice (french polish) finish in around the bridge is certainly one of my weaknesses as I too want to hear the guitar as soon as possible and also might want to sand a bit off the top if I am not happy Only soution I can see is build more and learn more about finishing or be less curious and finish first and the add the bridge later.