Backing for Bridge

Jerryc41 · Jan 7, 2021

I mentioned that I had made a license plate uke, but the sound was less than deal - somewhat rattly. People suggested a tailpiece, so I spent some time on that today. That wasn't the problem, through.

I suspect I need a thin piece of wood under the bridge, just like the support piece used on wooden ukes. That will be my next move.

I used Ernie Ball strings, with the little bead on the end. Installing strings is easier and faster.

Wastella · Jan 9, 2021

Just a wild guess having built many recycled metal ukes. Try fitting a soundpost like a violin has between the top and back of the instrument. It should be a snug fit. It will certainly change the sound, perhaps even for the better.

Titchtheclown · Jan 9, 2021

Wastella said:
Just a wild guess having built many recycled metal ukes. Try fitting a soundpost like a violin has between the top and back of the instrument. It should be a snug fit. It will certainly change the sound, perhaps even for the better.

I have done similar things to lift the tension in soggy sounding cookie and lunchbox tin ukes. Because I use a through stick I put a short piece of wood across the through neck about 30 or 40 mm towards the headstock to prevent the top from sagging and sometimes it works like magic.

Jerryc41 · Jan 9, 2021

Wastella and Titch -

I'm not sure what you mean. This would be a vertical post between the front and the back of the uke? Would I have to screw the license plate to it? Would it go under the bridge?

EDIT: I get it. It's called a "Sound Post." I can glue it to the back, but what about the license plate end?

Titchtheclown · Jan 10, 2021

Should be held in with tension on the plate side. If glueing to the back height should be a knats whisker above flat to the plane of the plate.

BuzzBD · Jan 10, 2021

This is the result of me having too much time on my hands, a tenor resonator ukulele with a flat aluminum disk instead of a cone. It is braced against the top with a laminated spruce circular brace. I can provide more details if anyone is interested. It is loud, but not as metallic sounding as a cone.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/59rw2Df6vMTUYAoA6

Brad

Jerryc41 · Jan 10, 2021

BuzzBD said:
This is the result of me having too much time on my hands, a tenor resonator ukulele with a flat aluminum disk instead of a cone. It is braced against the top with a laminated spruce circular brace. I can provide more details if anyone is interested. It is loud, but not as metallic sounding as a cone.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/59rw2Df6vMTUYAoA6

Brad

What it needs now is a smile on the aluminum.

Jerryc41 · Jan 10, 2021

Titchtheclown said:
Should be held in with tension on the plate side. If glueing to the back height should be a knats whisker above flat to the plane of the plate.

In that case, I would probably have to use the tailpiece. Tension on the strings attached to the plate lift is just a bit.

One thing I learned about a tailpiece: the holes should not be aligned with the bridge holes. They should be close together. The E string tends to slide off the saddle.

Backing for Bridge

Jerryc41

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