I'm just finishing my first Tenor Uke, I don't usually use screws in my sopranos but I like to know if in a tenor would be a good idea to put a couple of screws, I have made a bridge that is 3"X1" +/- and maybe de glueing surface is to small for not to screw it...
To screw the bridge or not to srew
- Thread starter banjoprat
- Start date
DeVineGuitars
Well-known member
I would try to stay away from adding screws if possible. A clean glue joint is more than strong enough to last a life time. By adding screws, you are adding more weight to the bridge that could have a negative affect on the sound.
pdxuke
Well-known member
Plus, as a consumer and not a luthier, if those screws show (like Kala bridges) they are UGLY, IMHO.
I also like the look of bridge knots instead of the classical guitar tie off knots, or pins(?) like the old Martin tenors. I also like friction tuners, but I'm waaaaay old fashioned
Moore Bettah Ukuleles
Well-known member
"To screw the bridge or not to screw"?
Definitely NOT!
Definitely NOT!
BR Ukuleles
Well-known member
Let's just say in polite terms that a screw isn't going to do anything but look cheap, ugly and putting a big flag up for everyone to see that you didn't know what you were doing.
What Chuck said. Most DEFINITELY NOT!
What Chuck said. Most DEFINITELY NOT!
new wave ukulele
Well-known member
no screw, just gluew
chiefnoda
Well-known member
Hi
I guess you're thinking about using screws in case the glue isn't going to hold the bridge. Let's suppose the glue fails and the bridge separates. Then, the screws will get all the tension. Most likely, the tension will pull the screws from the top. If it doesn't get that far, at least the bridge will lift and lose the contact with the top thus the string vibration will not be transmitted and the sound will be conpromised. Whichever way you cut it, the screws don't really do much in terms of adding the strength. That's my view.
Some guitar builders use screws, but most of time, that was use to locate the bridge in place during the building and once the bridge is glued and set, the screws can be removed. At least, that's what I heard from Gallagher Guitars.
Cheers
Chief
I guess you're thinking about using screws in case the glue isn't going to hold the bridge. Let's suppose the glue fails and the bridge separates. Then, the screws will get all the tension. Most likely, the tension will pull the screws from the top. If it doesn't get that far, at least the bridge will lift and lose the contact with the top thus the string vibration will not be transmitted and the sound will be conpromised. Whichever way you cut it, the screws don't really do much in terms of adding the strength. That's my view.
Some guitar builders use screws, but most of time, that was use to locate the bridge in place during the building and once the bridge is glued and set, the screws can be removed. At least, that's what I heard from Gallagher Guitars.
Cheers
Chief
I Ukulista
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I have a Portuguese instrument.
The bridge is glued but there is additional holes drilled through the bridge and through the sound board (yep I thought it was strange too).
The strings are knotted having been passed into the body then pulled tight and
passed through and then back over the bridge causing the main tension to pass through the bridge into the sound board. Downward tension rather than tension from the back end of the bridge. I guess this must have been a way of stringing any instruments when good quality glue was n't available.
Any one else seen this?
The bridge is glued but there is additional holes drilled through the bridge and through the sound board (yep I thought it was strange too).
The strings are knotted having been passed into the body then pulled tight and
passed through and then back over the bridge causing the main tension to pass through the bridge into the sound board. Downward tension rather than tension from the back end of the bridge. I guess this must have been a way of stringing any instruments when good quality glue was n't available.
Any one else seen this?
SweetWaterBlue
Well-known member
I think DaveG at Waverly Steet Ukes builds a lot of them that way.
Edit - to clarify what I meant - Dave builds many with the strings going through the body and not tied at to the bridge.
Edit - to clarify what I meant - Dave builds many with the strings going through the body and not tied at to the bridge.
Last edited:
Philstix
Well-known member
As a guy who has had to repair many guitar bridges which had screws --- DON'T DO IT!
Vic D
Well-known member
Not my cup of tea, but if you're gonna use screws at least make them brass or something that won't rust. My first soprano, a Stewmac, came with screws for the bridge and I used them in my first CBU instead and made a different bridge for the stewmac kit. Dunno how they would affect the sound though.. could be bad which seems most likely.. could be a surprise hmm...
olgoat52
Well-known member
High end steel string guitars that have string tensions many times that of a tenor or baritone use a glued on bridge and they are fine.
banjoprat
Well-known member
So I will go for not to screw it as I've been doing in other Ukes
I've seen a pic of a uke that has a couple of wood dowels that goes through the bridge and top , I suppose is the same idea that to use screws.
I've seen a pic of a uke that has a couple of wood dowels that goes through the bridge and top , I suppose is the same idea that to use screws.
Philstix
Well-known member
Don't do that either. If the bridge ever fails it will be because the uke was left in high heat and/or humidity. The dowels won't save it from failure then but they will complicate what is otherwise a simple repair.
Liam Ryan
Well-known member
here's a link to an essay by David Hurd on bridge footprint area.
http://www.ukuleles.com/Technology/bridgesize.html
what that guy doesn't know about ukes isn't worth knowing.
http://www.ukuleles.com/Technology/bridgesize.html
what that guy doesn't know about ukes isn't worth knowing.
ukegirl13
Well-known member
I've never heard of screwing in a bridge. Do some makers do that?!! I say no, no, no...no!
Vic D
Well-known member
That was a good reread, Liam_fnq. I think I actually understood 90% of it this time, which is an improvement. Makes me feel a bit better about plain, ordinary, non winged soprano bridges too.
I got a < 50$, brightly colored soprano of some sort as a "fun" gift. The bridge was screwed on
Gmoney
Well-known member
I got a < 50$, brightly colored soprano of some sort as a "fun" gift. The bridge was screwed on
The popular Makala Dolphin bridge has screws.
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