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I'm in the process of restoring 1957 lg-1. I discovered that the scale length is 3-4 mm short. The fret board and the bridge are off. Would the most logical repair be to move the fret board forward or the bridge back?

First of all, I'll say that I have an LG-1, as well. Mine was never a "fine" guitar, but it is still pretty cool in its own way. I'll be watching this thread.

Next, I think you should state your methodology in determining that the fret board and bridge are "off". I suspect you have something else going on with your guitar--neck pulling up, belly forming behind the bridge, or maybe the bridge pulling up, too (that was pretty common on some of these guitars). I suspect some of those things are going on.

I doubt that anyone will advise you to move either the fret board or the bridge (but I'll keep an open mind to the bridge issue).

Pictures of your fret board, bridge, a profile of the neck-to-body area, etc. will help the repair experts advise you. Please post pictures. You will be amazed at the expert help you will receive.

Be certain to take compensation into account when you are calculating fingerboard, scale length and bridge location.

If "compensation" is not a familiar term, take the time to do some reading about compensating steel string guitar saddles.

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Frank Ford

FRETS.COM
HomeShopTech
FRETS.NET

Both good suggestions listed above. Pics are always a good idea on this type of work. The ONLY way I would re-locate a fret board is if I had to replace it anyway . And then your possibly creating other issues. If it HAS TO BE done I would move the bridge, however I have to believe there is an easier option

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That amount of variance could be indicative of the need for a neck reset as well, neck starts folding into the body, scale length shortens....

The plastic bridges on these also deform to beat the band and are often replaced with shop-made wooden bridges. We have a video on our Facebook page, Ann Arbor Guitars where Dave Collins replaces a Gibson plastic bridge, might be interesting to you.

Also - a big welcome to the OLF too!!!

Not sure if yours had a plastic bridge or not for that year and our books are an hour away but here is a link to the video: https://www.facebook.com/a2guitars

If this did have a plastic bridge and it has already been replaced by someone else that could be the scale length error as well, wrong positioning.