A lot accomplished today. I made the nuts and saddles from Buffalo bone and got them nicely fitted after lots of sanding, and filing
After thinning this piece of bone down, I was able to saw it in two pieces and make two saddles out of it. It saws readily with a jewelers saw.
The initial sanding is done on the vertical sander, but the final close sanding is done carefully on this block. You want that saddle to fit tight in the bridge slot.
Once all the bone is installed it is time to drill the holes for the bridge pins. To avoid splitting out the ebony bridge I use a hand drill, very slowly. I also drill a small lead hole so there will be no question of where the pins will go.
The hole wants to be just large enough to admit the tip of this bridge pin auger. It is tapered at 3 degrees as are the ebony pins
Each pin must have its hole individually tapered as there is a slight difference in the size of each pin. When changing strings it is important to do it one at a time so you return each pin in its hole.
with the pins in place now it is time to cut the string notches in the nut. I start them with a tiny saw and then follow up with the proper size notch file. The notch is filed down to just touch the pencil line. Fine adjustments will be made after the strings are on.
Finally it is time for the strings. I am installing Southcoast Strings brand new linear set for tenors. The two bass strings (G & C) are wound strings, They have eliminated the squeak entirely, These are great strings, a minor advance from the ML-WB low G strings that I have been using with complete satisfaction.
SO I AM GOING TO INSTALL THE STRINGS AND SPEND THE EVENING PLAYING THESE NEW UKES. I WILL REPORT ON HOW THEY SOUND IN TOMORROW'S BLOG. THIS IS ALWAYS AN EXCITING TIME- YOU GET TO LEARN IF YOUR MONTHS OF WORK WAS WORTHWHILE. CROSS YOUR FINGERS.
SO I AM GOING TO INSTALL THE STRINGS AND SPEND THE EVENING PLAYING THESE NEW UKES. I WILL REPORT ON HOW THEY SOUND IN TOMORROW'S BLOG. THIS IS ALWAYS AN EXCITING TIME- YOU GET TO LEARN IF YOUR MONTHS OF WORK WAS WORTHWHILE. CROSS YOUR FINGERS.
