Long ago I adopted the "String Through" method of attaching strings. The old method of strings hooked to a glued on bridge is weak and frequently tears the bridge off. A far better method is putting the string through a hole which penetrates the bridge, the instrument top, and a hardwood patch glued under the top. a knot tied in the string pulls up again that patch.
I now dress up the look of the system with tiny acrylic plugs with a string hole through them. They not only look better than a raw hole in the wood, I am able to round the exit hole to provide a smooth exit for the string. Here is how it is done.
I have carefully taken measurements from previously successful string installations and know that drilling holes in bridges at these measurements will successfully place the strings on the fret board.
The hole locations are carefully marked on the bridges with pencil.
 A sharp awl makes a small hole to guide the drill bit  Then the hand drill is used to make the final hole |  Now the finger drill begins a small hole.  And the acrylic donut is selected. I have white, black and red. For this one I have chosen black. |
Once the tiny donuts are inserted into the holes a drop of superglue is applied.
Once they are sanded down flat and an application of French Polish is put on the wood, they blend in very nicely and add a touch of dignity to the instrument I think.
