Rover Steel String Bridge Crooked

[sbattaio]

Hi, I have a Rover steel string travel guitar and like it. Everything about the guitar is fine except the bridge is a bit crooked and off-center. There is a measurable difference of about 1/8" from the left and right edges of the bridge to the edge of the guitar body--the left edge of the bridge is closer to the left edge of the guitar body than the right edge is to the right edge of the guitar body. I understand this is an inexpensive guitar, but figure that everything must be lined up in some sort of jig during manufacture in order to ensure quality control. I contacted Washburn customer service and was told that this is not covered under warranty. I was also told that all of the Rovers have offset/crooked bridges on them. This just doesn't sound right to me. Does anyone else have a problem with their saddle? Would it be possible to take a ruler and measure your Rover and let me know if mine is actually offset/crooked or if Washburn is telling me the truth about all of them being made this way. Thanks!

[t.y.]

 Welcome. I would not think Washburn would lie about that.Would be bad for business. I and others have had good warranty coverage from Washburn.  The good news is that regular posters on here have Rovers, so you should get some help. Also  two guys on here work for Washburn, they might tell you also. Tom.   

[sbattaio]

Hi T.Y.,

Thanks for the quick reply. My apologies if the wording sounded a bit strong, I'm just trying to get this sorted out. I did send some photos of the bridge to Washburn and was told that they did not have a Rover on hand to actually look at and compare it to mine. One of the customer service folks said they would check with someone in the tech department and that is when I was told that they're all made that way and that it is not something covered under Washburn's warranty. I also go ahold of the shop where I purchased it and asked if something like that would be covered under my extended warranty plan (I purchased a plan when I got the guitar). I was told that particular problem would have to go through Washburn because it sounded like a manufacturing problem.

The thing is it does play fine, it just looks kind of crooked.

Thanks again.

Cheers,
SB

[evenkeel]

If you could post a picture of your Rover that would be helpful.  In the pictures I see online, the bridge does look a bit off kilter.  My guess is in order for the guitar to intonate properly Washburn may set the bridge/saddle slightly off center.  The short scale is also going to have an effect on how the saddle and bridge are set.  All guess work however.

[sbattaio]

Here are the photos.

As I mentioned, it isn't off a whole lot--about 1/4" or so. I noticed it and had a few other people look at it as well and they can see it too.  You can see the offset pretty clearly if you look at the center of the bridge relative to the center of the body based on the line down the middle of the guitar top where the wood has been bookended together. I can certainly live with it, but would like to have it corrected if was assembled improperly.

I also went back and reread the email from customer service and it did say that all of the Rovers are made this way. The reason I'm curious that none of my other guitars have an offset bridge--they are all centered on the guitar body.

Thanks!