Bridge Problem

[PTOEguy]

This is a Flight Travel Ukulele from my kids school and one of the string slots is blown out. Any thoughts on an easy repair? I was thinking of trying to fill with some kind of glue and then recut the slot.

 

[saltytri]

Drill straight down through the top and make that one string a "string through". Use a small drill bit, not much larger in diameter than the string. Push the string through until you can fish the end out through the sound hole. Back the knot up with a bead that is large enough to spread out the load a bit. Unless there are a couple of extra inches of string length at the tuner, you'll probably need a new string.

 

[Poul Hansen]

Glue a plate over it.

 

[John Colter]

"Glue a plate over it."

Yep, that's what I'd do.

John Colter

 

[don_b]

As somebody who works at a school managing student-use equipment, consider just telling the school. They likely have a replacement on hand to give your child right away, and an arrangement with their vendor to handle repairs.

 

[PTOEguy]

As somebody who works at a school managing student-use equipment, consider just telling the school. They likely have a replacement on hand to give your child right away, and an arrangement with their vendor to handle repairs.

It's a small private school and I'm the person who volunteers to keep the ukes in order (I actually started the first ukulele club at the school 6 years ago), and we've been doing this as cheaply as possible...

 

[PTOEguy]

"Glue a plate over it."

Yep, that's what I'd do.

John Colter

I'm thinking a chunk of old credit card or similar for the material? Also what would you recommend for the glue?

 

[Poul Hansen]

maybe a piece of metal and som super glue. Sand the items first.

You could be lucky with dripping superglue in the hole and pour baking powder over it, then sand/ file to make it presentable.

 

[badhabits]

did you contact flight?

 

[Graham Greenbag]

Drill straight down through the top and make that one string a "string through". Use a small drill bit, not much larger in diameter than the string. Push the string through until you can fish the end out through the sound hole. Back the knot up with a bead that is large enough to spread out the load a bit. Unless there are a couple of extra inches of string length at the tuner, you'll probably need a new string.

IIRC then the above is the normal solution to this problem with this brand of Uke. I don’t know how common the problem is but I feel sure that it’s been raised here in the past. A bead will doubtless be fine and is a popular way to do things, instead I use a very very small washer and put a big knot on the string’s end.