Alternative bridge clamping device

Timbuck

Timbuck

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 10, 2009
Messages
6,614
Reaction score
1,887
Location
Stockton on Tees..North East UK.
I posted a drawing of this method a couple of years back but Photobucket (spit) removed all the images ..so here it is again.
Just a rough sketch but you'll get the idea.IMG_3264.jpg
 
Pure genius. Leonardo DaVinci would have been proud of that!:cool:
 
Nice Ken.
Also, I read in a book about Oud making of a cantilevered bar clamped down to give pressure to the bridge- handy when there is no sound hole!
 
I've seen this method used for repairing cracks in guitars, but steel strings were used instead, and a geared tuner. This allowed a patch to be glue and clamped inside the guitar. A tiny hole is drilled through the crack area to allow the string to pass through.
 
I made one of these contraptions years ago when I was making the thin-line electric ukulele. No room for standard clamps. Worked like a charm. Not shown is the lead fishing weight I used as a "bead" to apply counter pressure on the inside. By the way, the uke sounded pretty good unplugged too.

DSCN6529.jpg DSCN6534.jpg DSCN6561.jpg
 
sequoia said:
I made one of these contraptions years ago when I was making the thin-line electric ukulele. No room for standard clamps. Worked like a charm. Not shown is the lead fishing weight I used as a "bead" to apply counter pressure on the inside. By the way, the uke sounded pretty good unplugged too.

View attachment 116373 View attachment 116374 View attachment 116375
Click to expand...
I think I got that idea off you some years ago..I remember things like that..but I've never used it.
 
Really interesting method! Thanks a lot! i will try it on my build, thanks!
 
Rbee said:
Really interesting method! Thanks a lot! i will try it on my build, thanks!
Click to expand...

One quick bit of warning: These clamps can develop immense pressure very quickly. Resist the temptation to really cinch it down or you can end up with a glue starved join and this is not good with bridges. Tighten down slowly until you see a little squeeze out and stop.
 
sequoia said:
One quick bit of warning: These clamps can develop immense pressure very quickly. Resist the temptation to really cinch it down or you can end up with a glue starved join and this is not good with bridges. Tighten down slowly until you see a little squeeze out and stop.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice Sequoia. i plan to use it in addition of a U clamp place on the center (this sytem will make pressure on the exterior of my bridge)
... i have a lot of month to work on my uke before use it... time to think :D
 
looks good, but is it any better than two F clamps?
 
After about 4 hours of trying to figure out how to get Piezo pickups mounted directly under the bridge, I resorted to something similar. Took the saddle out, drilled a hole under each end of where the saddle was, and run a string through the holes, and pulled the piezos into place with an appropriate amount of glue.

The saddle covers the holes...
 
sequoia said:
One quick bit of warning: These clamps can develop immense pressure very quickly. Resist the temptation to really cinch it down or you can end up with a glue starved join and this is not good with bridges. Tighten down slowly until you see a little squeeze out and stop.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I thought that a very good point.
I wonder, is it practical to use a lighter string (so the a string) and a friction tuner to control the load?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

erich@muttcrew.net
Alternative bridge clamping methods?
2
Replies
36
Views
8K
E-Lo Roberts
E-Lo Roberts
kissing
Great alternative to undersaddle pickups - KNA Sound hole pickups (with permanent installation)
Replies
0
Views
152
kissing
kissing
M
Song Help Request Indie and Alternative song recommendations?
Replies
5
Views
485
bbkobabe
bbkobabe
M
Thomastik-Infeld CF27 Alternative?
Replies
6
Views
393
Jim Hanks
Jim Hanks
C
Soprano case - wooden hardshell v sturdy alternative
Replies
14
Views
595
Arcy
Arcy
Top Bottom