Official Luthiers Forum!

I'm doing a concert uke with my daughter. I've got the back on and I'm ready to brace the top. The plan I have gives the top thickness at about .93. I'm thinking I could go a bit thinner with the fairly stiff Sitka I'm using? Also, the plan shows no bridge patch. I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts who has made one.

Thanks,
Danny

Yes you could go thinner. and yes use a bridge patch. Even if it is just a spruce patch (assuming tie block bridge) for reinforcement.

_________________
John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

I'd go to .075 or so depending on your bracing (three fan braces?). I use a thin bridge patch if I'm using bridge pins. You could forego it if you tie off your strings.

_________________
A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA

Thanks John. I was hoping you'd be around after seeing the photo of those two lil' cuties you did. It will be a tie block type bridge. Off to the shop!

For a concert a I go 1.6 - 1.8 thick on a conventional braced top. Depending on stiffness and if I'm going to instal finger braces. Always use a bridge patch and if you are going on the thicker side you can do with out the finger braces.

On lattice braced ones I'm down at 0.9mm thick without a bridge patch.

_________________
Allen R. McFarlen
Barron River Guitars & Ukuleles
Facebook
Cairns, Australia

That, is, BEAUTIFUL!!! What's the intention behind it?

Was done to explore the ideas of lattice bracing on Ukuleles and shaping the tone and response with variations of the shaping of the lattice. Making the top as thin and light as I dare, but giving the structural integrity necessary for it to stand up. It's very easy to over build with lattice bracing.

I've built 6 with lattice bracing now. 5 Concerts and 1 tenor. I'm really happy with the results and will continue to explore the possibilities.

_________________
Allen R. McFarlen
Barron River Guitars & Ukuleles
Facebook
Cairns, Australia

Thanks Rich. I see you've done some beauties! I never thought about using bridge pins. Do you just tie a knot in the end of the string?

Allen! How the heck are you. Things are great in Powell River despite Matt's chickens getting killed by the cougar that's hanging around and Donna's up to her neck in SeaFair this weekend. I'm surrounded by Allen's in-laws.
That's great shot of your bracing. Maybe on the next one. I'm doing a 3 brace fan. Would you use spruce for a bridge patch?

Cheers,
Danny

Danny, I use a bead at the end of the string, and I do use spruce for the bridge patch, but orient the grain opposite to the top.

_________________
A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA

Hi Dan. Great over hear. Just moved into a new house with a bloody big shed to set up for my shop.

Spruce bridge patch on a spruce top, no worries at all.

I just finished being co-instructor for 2 uke build courses during the Cairns Ukulele Festival. The first with Rick Turner where the students built Sopranos with only a spruce bridge patch. No finger braces. The second class with a mate from New South Wales for 12 High School students where they built Concerts with only a spruce bridge patch as well. All the instruments came out great.

We bevel the sides and ends of the bridge patch a fair bit so as to not induce a stress riser in the top.

_________________
Allen R. McFarlen
Barron River Guitars & Ukuleles
Facebook
Cairns, Australia