Bulletin Board: stringing on a classical type bridge with same technique as other Close Window   

Original Post By: Guest_jg Date: 2/3/2005
my question is about stringing on what i call a 'classical' type bridge. the kind that the strings tie around usually. i know there are other bridges such as the ones on fluke ukes where you tie a knot in the end of the string and that holds it into the bridge. well, on these classical bridges there's usually a hole running through the length of it, so why not just tie a knot in the end of the string and slide it through the hole rather than tying it on? are there some advantages or disadvantages to doing that? would using a knot put more stress on the bridge? i have no idea. i play steel string guitar so i'm used to bridge pins. these type of bridges are new to me. it seems the uke might become my primary instrument. i love it! and fortunately, it's not been as hard for me to pick up and make music with since i already had experience with another stringed instrument. i still have PLENTY of room for improvement though. my exprerience with guitar work carries over to the ukulele as well since it has similar parts, which is a good thing since it seems a lot of the instruments in my price range need at least some minor setup changes. i think coming from guitar has actually made me appreciate the uke even more. i love the playability and portability of it among other things. thanks for any feedback.
Posted By: Guest_5thumbs Date: 2/3/2005
lots of info on how to string a classical guitar on the Gryphon website. http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Mus ician/Guitar/Setup/Classical/Classi cStr/classicstr1.html for a very unique variation developed by Kawika (David Hurd) see the following text and picture at this website (last entry). http://www.taropatch.net/forum/topi c.asp? TOPIC_ID=1704&SearchTerms=kawika If you need more info leave your email and I will contact you.
Posted By: Guest_ToeBone Date: 2/3/2005
The disadvantage I see is that the direction of force on the knot is directly back through the hole. You would need a large tight knot or a bead tied with a very good non-slip knot. The pin bridge has additional friction keeping the stress off the ball of the knot.
Glad to hear that another guitar player has found the charm of the ukulele. You may just give up that big ol' guitar!
Posted By: Guest_neophyte Date: 2/3/2005
The idea of using beads works like a charm. The jewelery making section of any arts/crafts/hobby type store sells bulk beads for very cheap. I use nice gold beads on my uke.
Posted By: Guest_Why? Date: 2/4/2005
If you are tying a knot anyway,why the bead?Don't you tie it on with a knot? I do them like a classical guitar and tuck them under each other then reverse the fourth one so it tucks under the third.
Posted By: Guest_wonderer Date: 2/4/2005
The bead idea came from spending the extra bucks on special "ball end" classical strings...only to find out that the extra 3 bucks for the package only included about .005 cents worth of plastic beads and the strings tied in knots. Withoud the beads, the knot pulls into the hole...especially on older bridges.
Posted By: Guest_ToeBone Date: 2/4/2005
Another thought is - what if the knot got squeezed halfway through the hole and got jammed in there? How would you get it out? I have also had beads break under tension, so be wary of that - it could lead to the knot-stuck-in-a-skinny-hole problem too.
Posted By: Guest_LowG Date: 2/4/2005
The classical knot is just that, it works like a timber hitch knot on a log. Holds everything tight. No need for buzzing beads and large monkey fist knots. It just works.
Posted By: Guest_wonderer Date: 2/4/2005
In the last 13 months I've gone through 3 sets of strings on my classical guitar. In the last ten months I've had 4 ukes, and gone through 9 sets of stings. I've used the beads exclusively when changing out strings from stock. I may be a neophyte, but I play hard several hours a day. I have yet to encounter a buzzing bead, and the simplicity is priceless. I also prefer the clean monkey fist look over the bowl of spegetti look all over the bridge. Life is choice, both work equally. One is simple, and one it simply the way it's been done forever.
Posted By: Guest_Lorelie Date: 2/5/2005
If you use any wound strings on your ukulele, you might find your strings will last longer if you use the traditional classical guitar method of tying your strings - since there's no knot to crunch the metal windings, they're less likely to break.
Posted By: Guest_wonderer Date: 2/5/2005
Haven't had a knot break yet...my uke strings always break at the 5th fret area from bends and slides going from E to A :)
Posted By: Guest_LowG Date: 2/6/2005
All things considered, classical knots look sharp. When I wear a suit, I wear a tie, not soap on a rope.
Posted By: Guest_wonderer Date: 2/7/2005
I apologize that such a simple idea which works so well is so repulsive to you LowG. What the hell is with this place? It's like there is only one right way, and if it's it's not your way it's wrong. I'm really getting tired of you stuck up purist's attitudes.
Posted By: Guest_LowG Date: 2/7/2005
Kind of sounds like 'you' are the snob, wonderer, with your 'I can do whatever I want' attitude. Anything that works, works. Purist's get just as tired of 'Do it my wayers'.
Posted By: Guest_snobby wonderer Date: 2/7/2005
That was my last attempt to fit in here. Obviously I dont. Thanks.
Posted By: Guest_By By Date: 2/7/2005
If insults are the best attempt at fitting in, adios, but don't leave mad.
Posted By: Guest_another DIMW'er Date: 2/7/2005
Wow ByBy, wonder where wonderer picked up such nasty habits.
Posted By: Guest_By By Date: 2/7/2005
Probably from folks like me, but then again, where did I pick them up?


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