I have used bicycle spoke ends(female threaded part) and also cut the ends of broken strings off and used the ball end to keep strings from digging into the wood.

How do you keep the ball end of your strings from digging into the wood?

Views: 290

Replies to This Discussion

I like brass. Don't know if it fits the "budget" category -- I think about 8 bucks for a 2"x10" bar from Ace Hardware -- but you can get a number of tailpieces like this out of it. It's relatively easy to cut, drill, sand & polish. In this pic, it's mounted through to the tail end of the neck, which butts the inside end of the box.
I have to agree, Bear. Brass is my favorite too. Have you had any luck finding solid brass rods for bridges?
I'll check that out - Thanks Ted.

Wade

Ted Crocker said:
I use 3/16" brass rods from home depot or sears for bridges.

Ted
i use a pin that is used in upholstery it is about 4 inches long and it fits perfectly through the ball end of the guitar strings, i just trim it accordingly, for 3-string or 4-string etc. there are some pics on my page that show this pin that goes thru the ball end of the strings at the bridge.
If you take the long thing that looks like a nail out of a rivet, you've got the perfect string ferrule.

You can get 1/8 brass brazing rod from a welding supply.
If you want a super redneck bridge, then don't throw that porkchop bone or beef bone away.
just remember to dry it out all the way before you use it, it's easier to file & sand when dry.
hambones' are good too.bubba!
I just recently learned of the magic of the rivet. It saved the Christmas gift I was giving to a friend when I made the through body holes too big and the ball ends started creeping. Great suggestion...and cheap, too!
BrianQ. said:
If you take the long thing that looks like a nail out of a rivet, you've got the perfect string ferrule.

Right on!!!
RayTheOtherRay said:
I just recently learned of the magic of the rivet. It saved the Christmas gift I was giving to a friend when I made the through body holes too big and the ball ends started creeping. Great suggestion...and cheap, too!


BrianQ. said:
If you take the long thing that looks like a nail out of a rivet, you've got the perfect string ferrule.

Good ideas with the bike spoke "nipples" and the rivets both. I've got plenty of bike bits around, I refurbish/repair the things for re-sale.

I've used both stainless steel and aluminum stock in the same way the pic above shows; the aluminum is easier to cut but the stainless looks better. I'll have to try brass on my next build.
What are bike spokes made of anyway-much harder than fretwire! I chipped my fret nipper cutting a spoke last week.


Mark Werner said:
Good ideas with the bike spoke "nipples" and the rivets both. I've got plenty of bike bits around, I refurbish/repair the things for re-sale.

I've used both stainless steel and aluminum stock in the same way the pic above shows; the aluminum is easier to cut but the stainless looks better. I'll have to try brass on my next build.
I use the smallest nut or flat washer I can find at the hardware store (usally in brass) to run the string through,it keeps the ball from pulling into the wood. The bee keeping supply company "Dadant" makes a brass eyelet that is used to keep the wire from pulling into the wood of a hive frame (I use to be a beekeeper) .You can get 5000 for about $20.00 and the tool to install it for about $3.00. They also have spools of wire (1/2lb. spool -700 Ft.) for about $4.00 try this link : https://www.dadant.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=25_49 If you know a beekeeper they may have soom they will give you.

RSS

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources


Discussion Forum

The Effects of Coffee, in a good way, folks........

Started by BrianQ.. Last reply by Wilda Connell Aug 5, 2020. 7 Replies

Low Budget Sanding Tool

Started by BrianQ.. Last reply by Order99 Jun 9, 2020. 3 Replies

Nails for frets?

Started by Mike. Last reply by Alan Robinson Aug 1, 2017. 8 Replies

Flea market finds

Started by Mike Jul 24, 2017. 0 Replies

Not just a lolly stick

Started by Wade Jan 2, 2015. 0 Replies

Save that box screw up!

Started by Wade. Last reply by Thomas "Duck" Petry Dec 3, 2014. 2 Replies

CB string height gauge

Started by Wade. Last reply by Wade Jul 9, 2014. 2 Replies

Recycled stuff

Started by Keith 66 Jun 11, 2014. 0 Replies

Free recycled Piezo pickups

Started by Wade. Last reply by Rob Brighton Jul 2, 2013. 19 Replies

Joining Lumber

Started by Where's Uranus?. Last reply by Mark Lindsay Jun 4, 2013. 8 Replies

Fretboard radius

Started by Wade. Last reply by rusty case Feb 11, 2013. 1 Reply

Free grounding foil

Started by Wade Feb 10, 2013. 0 Replies

Free Fret dot markers

Started by Wade. Last reply by Mark Lindsay Feb 3, 2013. 23 Replies

Recycled tonewood

Started by rusty case. Last reply by rusty case Nov 21, 2012. 13 Replies

Low $ substitute for banjo face?

Started by rusty case. Last reply by rusty case Nov 18, 2012. 6 Replies

Cheapo strings

Started by Karl G. Siewert. Last reply by rusty case Aug 27, 2012. 4 Replies

Hand saw.

Started by Wade. Last reply by rusty case Aug 27, 2012. 2 Replies

Tennis, anyone?

Started by Order99. Last reply by Order99 Aug 17, 2012. 4 Replies

1/2 Priced Nuts and Saddles

Started by Claude. Last reply by Order99 Apr 8, 2012. 10 Replies

Latest Activity

A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.

"Thank you Poorness ! for loving it ! appreciated!"
16 hours ago
Southern Ray replied to Timothy Hunter's discussion just came accross this pickup idea on youtube.
" Very interesting. Thank you Timothy!"
16 hours ago
Kent Thurston updated their profile
17 hours ago
Southern Ray posted a photo

Punch Project!

She now sports gold metal CBGitty knobs, speaker and an Artec 2.5 watt speaker. Finished this in…
17 hours ago
Southern Ray posted a photo

Project Punch!

Gonna finally get back on this long-delayed project that is more than half complete. (The matching…
18 hours ago
Poorness Studios liked A.D.EKER's video
19 hours ago
BrianQ. left a comment for Rob (Uker) Porras
"Hope this helps?"
20 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo
Thumbnail

Dueling Flatheads

"I appreciate the kind words Papa D! I have always loved the look of these cigar boxes. Glad to have…"
22 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
yesterday
A.D.EKER posted a video

Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.

The recorded History By Alan Lomax for the library of Congres of the Blues, from Mc Kinley Morganfield (Aka Muddy Waters) the in this take recorded Tribute ...
yesterday
Papa D commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo
Thumbnail

Dueling Flatheads

"Beautiful..Nice work Doug.."
yesterday
Papa D commented on Papa D's photo
Thumbnail

american1 Sun Glo

"Thanx AGP & Doug..  4 more coming soon"
yesterday

Music

© 2024   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->