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Grain orientation on the bridge
https://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=48118		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  bcombs510 [ Wed Aug 10, 2016 3:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Grain orientation on the bridge
Hello,

I've asked this before, but bear with me... :) viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=46852 Also, this is a Uke question but I'm asking here. Hopefully I don't get torched for it. [uncle]

I'm working on a Tenor Uke that is Bocote B&S. I'm thinking about possibly a Bocote fretboard and then that leads to a Bocote bridge. However, I can't get past a concern about the grain orientation. I understand that the grain should run opposite of the top and I understand the reasoning why. But, when I set the Bocote fretboard blank and bridge blank on, it drives me crazy to have the grain of the bridge running opposite the FB. Two questions:

1) Since this is a Uke maybe it doesn't matter if the grain is running parallel to the top? (Fingers crossed)
2) Maybe I could make the bridge out of Ebony and laminate the top with Bocote that has grain running the same as the Bocote FB?
3) Other ideas?
4) Recommendations for hypnosis that can cure being so concerned with little stuff?

Thanks!
Brad
Author:  johnparchem [ Wed Aug 10, 2016 4:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Grain orientation on the bridge
I will shoot for 4. The bridge is a horizontal design element in the look of a guitar or uke. Treat it that way and allow the grain to run with the element. Think about fine wood furniture, you will see both vertical and horizontal elements where the wood grain runs perpendicular between the two elements. Or even a picture frame, a simple combination of vertical and horizontal elements.

1. The bridge is still an important brace.
2. If you just laminated on some Bocote the wings would be ebony by the time you carved the bridge.
3. You could slice up the blank and laminate in a couple of layers of carbon fiber weaving.
Author:  Colin North [ Wed Aug 10, 2016 4:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Grain orientation on the bridge
5)? Cognitive behavioural therapy?
It's just the way guitars have been made, probably for good reason, As noted above, it's an important brace.
Rotating the grain means it lines up with the grain of the top, weak.
If you really want to do it, you could make the bridge from ebony/RW/WHY, shape the wings, etc. then veneer the top of it with grain parallel to the FB I suppose, but.....
Author:  bcombs510 [ Wed Aug 10, 2016 4:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Grain orientation on the bridge
Thanks to both of you. To be honest, once the bridge is made and it is tiny compared to this big blank slab I have laying across the soundboard it might not bother me as much. :) I'll either go ebony or get approval from the recipient that perpendicular grain is ok with him. Which I'm sure it will be. It's my neurosis, not his. :D


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Author:  DennisK [ Wed Aug 10, 2016 5:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Grain orientation on the bridge
I say go for it. I really doubt it will make a big difference.
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