Official Luthiers Forum!

I'm building a cigar box banjo and it will use nylon strings. For the tail piece I would like to imitate the tie block on a classical guitar bridge. However I've only ever seen picture of a classical guitar bridge.
Is the tie block simply a rectangular piece of wood with string holes drilled through it, or am I missing an important detail?
Thanks
Bob

That's pretty much it, unless you want to get into multiple holes for each string. In reality, they're pretty simple.

_________________
Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

What about multiple holes for each string?

Well, I have been using an 18 hole tie block for my classical guitars. Others like a 12 hole tie block. The 18 hole tie block keeps you from having any strings cross over the top of the block. The 12 hole allows the string to only cross the top of the block once. It just gives a neater look to the strung up instrument. Some don't like the look at all. Here is my last 18 holer.

_________________
Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

I like the looks of your 18 hole.
Thanks

It also affects the break angle of the strings over the saddle, which may be a good thing- or not. Some folks have also mused about increased chance of splitting the bridge with the extra holes, but I don't think this should be a big risk with a decent bridge blank. I think I'm going to give an 18-hole bridge a try next time.

Waddy-thanks for the pic.

Cheers
John

The biggest problem I've had so far, is that some "e" strings break (Maybe that's why it's a break angle ). Not all of them, but it has been an issue with medium weight strings of some brands. Oasis Carbon trebles, and Galli Titanium medium trebles are two that come to mind.

_________________
Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

I also use the 18 hole bridge, as do an increasing number of builders now, one refinement I make is to use a 1mm bone plate on the rear of the bridge.

Colin

_________________
I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

Colin-
Thanks for that pic!
Looks like a great idea...another one for the 'steal this!' file.
Cheers
John

Don't forget about the bone inlay in the tie block. It keeps the strings from damaging the wood.

_________________
John Nowicki

The thing I like the most about the 18 hole bridge is the opportunity to do some nice inlay without the strings over it.

Here's my newest. Trial saddle still not trimmed down yet.

_________________
Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars