TCK
Well-known member
I have an OLD Martin 3M that was given to me a long time ago. It is in wonderful condition, but now that I have a few songs under my belt, I realize while it is the certainly the brightest (nice and plucky, loud) sounding Uke in my collection (and certainly the most valuable), it is not the one I want to play...I figure something is wrong when my Makala is my go to. Anyway, it is loud and plucky, wood is in good nick, I have deduced it is the fingerboard that is giving me grief.
It buzzes like crazy- even if I am not trying to rock star it. Here is what I have tried:
Aquila Nylgut...those lasted 2 weeks, sounded terrible
Worth Browns- medium. These are better- not great.
I have Martin Flourocarbons to try next. It sounded best with 15 year old GHS strings...I threw them away before they destroyed my hands.
What I know:
It is about 70 years old
It has tuners that are less functional than desired, which is OK, I can tune it fast now
It has wear marks on the top frets (literally it has been played enough that there are indentations in the frets).
The bone saddle has indentations in it where the strings sit- I think this is the problem
The action is lower at the top frets than it is at the bottom ones (indicating that the nut is just as worn as the saddle?)
Anyway- I want it to sound as good as it looks, so my questions are ten fold I suppose:
First- can I string something this old with high tension strings? I am thinking Worth high tensions here, clear or brown
Second, the bridge has been in there for 70 years- is it easy to replace?
Third, should I be replacing parts on it? As an un-restored original I realize it is worth a note or two...but as an un-played diamond sitting in the case, it is a paperweight to me.
Fourth- I am really not going to mess with it (as I will mess it up and never forgive myself. I am going to take it to a reputable luthier and have it "tuned up"...who would that be in Sonoma County California?
Thanks in advance- Dave
Oh yeah, pics of her are on my profile- really cool old Uke so money is no object getting her to play.
The old girl
And some detail shots
It buzzes like crazy- even if I am not trying to rock star it. Here is what I have tried:
Aquila Nylgut...those lasted 2 weeks, sounded terrible
Worth Browns- medium. These are better- not great.
I have Martin Flourocarbons to try next. It sounded best with 15 year old GHS strings...I threw them away before they destroyed my hands.
What I know:
It is about 70 years old
It has tuners that are less functional than desired, which is OK, I can tune it fast now
It has wear marks on the top frets (literally it has been played enough that there are indentations in the frets).
The bone saddle has indentations in it where the strings sit- I think this is the problem
The action is lower at the top frets than it is at the bottom ones (indicating that the nut is just as worn as the saddle?)
Anyway- I want it to sound as good as it looks, so my questions are ten fold I suppose:
First- can I string something this old with high tension strings? I am thinking Worth high tensions here, clear or brown
Second, the bridge has been in there for 70 years- is it easy to replace?
Third, should I be replacing parts on it? As an un-restored original I realize it is worth a note or two...but as an un-played diamond sitting in the case, it is a paperweight to me.
Fourth- I am really not going to mess with it (as I will mess it up and never forgive myself. I am going to take it to a reputable luthier and have it "tuned up"...who would that be in Sonoma County California?
Thanks in advance- Dave
Oh yeah, pics of her are on my profile- really cool old Uke so money is no object getting her to play.
The old girl
And some detail shots