NOW THAT THE FRENCH POLISH has begun on the Pinecones it is time to make the bridges. I ripped, cut and sanded to thickness ten concert sized bridges. Once you are making a few, you might as well make a bunch, it takes very little more time.
Then I cut the slot in each for the bone saddle. I like to build a bit of compensation in these so I slant the slot 1/8th inch over the 2 3/4 length. I have a little jig that does this for me.
Then I cut the slot in each for the bone saddle. I like to build a bit of compensation in these so I slant the slot 1/8th inch over the 2 3/4 length. I have a little jig that does this for me.
This sled slides in the two grooves of the table saw, and the cut is stopped by clamping the stop block as seen.
You just drop the rosewood stock into the angled retainer, push down hard on the safety pusher shown on the right and run it over the turning blade.
You just drop the rosewood stock into the angled retainer, push down hard on the safety pusher shown on the right and run it over the turning blade.
Here is the result. A nice compensating cut the length of the bridge
And there are ten of them, seven for future builds. I am showing you the compensating bridge on my prototype concert Pinecone that I built back in 2011. Love this uke, just sounds sweeter and sweeter. Note the multi-colored strings. I have those for sale if you want to dress up your uke. $5.00 a set. Concert, tenor and soprano sets are available, same price. They are Aurora strings, really Aquilas dyed by Aurora. good strings. $5.00 plus mailing, order several sets to beat the mail cost.
