Ebony for tenor bridge?

C

ChuckBarnett

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 3, 2017
Messages
490
Reaction score
3
Location
Arlington, WA U.S.A.
I have had this chunk of wood for some time. Think I got it out of a scrap bin at Woodcraft in Seattle. I think it is ebony. ??
20170403_105000.jpg20170403_105039.jpg20170403_104908.jpg

From what I can gather ebony is a good choice dor a bridge. I also see that uke bridges dont utilize pins and holes.

I welcome any help. :)
 
Yes, ebony is a very good choice for a bridge. Make sure that the grain is pretty much vertical. There are various theories about the importance of a particular angle of grain in a bridge. You can google it for interesting reading but if you make sure that the grain is close to vertical you ought to be OK. Good luck with your project!
 
ChuckBarnett said:
I have had this chunk of wood for some time. Think I got it out of a scrap bin at Woodcraft in Seattle. I think it is ebony. ??
View attachment 99057View attachment 99056View attachment 99058

From what I can gather ebony is a good choice dor a bridge. I also see that uke bridges dont utilize pins and holes.

I welcome any help. :)
Click to expand...

Uke bridges come in every sort of size and shape that you could imagine, as well as every method of string attachment. Mine use pins or string through. I really don't like the tied off ones as on classical style guitars and gave up using them years ago.
 
It is notoriously hard to look at a piece of wood of unknown origin and identify it even for experts and I'm no expert. Whatever it is, it sure looks hard and dense from the pictures and would make a wonderful bridge. Just because a piece of wood isn't "ebony" or "rosewood" doesn't mean it isn't good bridge material. Whatever the wood is it should have a pleasant ringing noise when you tap it.... Just as a wild guess it looks to me like that superhard South African black wood stuff (Dalbergia melanoxylon) which is a type of "ebony" not just the type of "ebony" that people think of.
 
This could also be African blackwood, which is actually a rosewood. But regardless, it would make a ncie bridge.
 
I imagine this subject has been discussed before, but just as a reminder/heads-up, one might Google “wood allergies and toxicity,” or something similar, to see potential hazards that are associated with certain woods.
 
I would cut the blank, rough it out, and then wait a couple of weeks. I've made banjo bridges out of solid ebony (great damping effect) and they have ended up twisting a lot. You want to see what your piece does before gluing it on.
 
Allen said:
Uke bridges come in every sort of size and shape that you could imagine, as well as every method of string attachment. Mine use pins or string through. I really don't like the tied off ones as on classical style guitars and gave up using them years ago.
Click to expand...
What is it that you dislike about the other style? I may need to a decision as to which way to go here. Thank you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

K
For Sale O 'Kona 8 string tenor custom koa back and sides engalman spuce top koa neck ebony fingerboard and bridge. Made by Andy Berard has pickup. Rare
Replies
2
Views
453
barisaxer
barisaxer
E
LFDM tenor ukulele, Brazilian Ebony side/back-European spruce . SOLD above asking
Replies
13
Views
1K
sam13
sam13
B
Mun Ebony and Ancient Sitka Tenor
Replies
10
Views
488
lauburu
L
E
Kimo Super tenor Spruce/Ebony
Replies
7
Views
565
eyedoc
E
Hochapeafarm
  • Locked
Pono Pro Classic Macassar Ebony (ETSH PCC) Tenor
Replies
9
Views
1K
Hochapeafarm
Hochapeafarm
Top Bottom