BS: Repairing my Ukelele

Subject: Repairing my Ukelele
From: GUEST,Wa Ban Zhou
Date: 21 Mar 02 - 11:10 PM

I purchased a nice little Roy Smeck Uke at a garage sale last week, but when I took it out of the case, the bridge came off. (It had been in the case for a long time). What is the procedure for putting it back on and what adhesive should I use? Thanks

Subject: RE: BS: Repairing my Ukelele
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 22 Mar 02 - 01:24 AM

Well, if you want to drive yourself nuts, take a look at this article (and related links) about hide glue, which this guy says is the best for repairing acoustic stringed instruments. Seems like a lot of work to me...but I'm not a luthier. By the way, that site has an amazing amount of information (and superb photos) about acoustic guitars, banjos, mandolins...everything but ukuleles, it seems! Click here and then click on the line that says, "Go to Frets.com Big Index Page". And have fun with your ukulele!

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: BS: Repairing my Ukelele
From: mooman
Date: 22 Mar 02 - 07:08 AM

Hide glue is definitely the glue to use as, should the bridge need removing again at any future time, this facilitates the process.

You will need to carefully remove any residues of the previous glue from both the underside of the bridge and the top of the uke. If the previous glue was hide glue (which it should be from the maker), a heated, flat table knife will help with this. I would then slightly roughen the underneath of the bridge and, again carefully to avoid damage to the finish of the uke top, with abrasive paper of about 80 - 100 grade.

Once prepared, apply the hot hide glue (not too much) to the underside of the bridge and position on the top. You will need at least two clamps to hold either side of the bridge to the top while the glue sets. With a uke normal guitar clamps might be a little large to fir through the soundhole, so a little research to find suitable clamps might be necessary. Luthiers' clamps normally have a protective cork layer on the jaws to avoid damage to the finish of an instrument and, if you use some other type of clamp, e.g. one with bare metal jaws, you will need to fashion protective pads of some suitable material, e.g. cork or leather (or inside the instrument soft wood) to protect the bridge and uke from damage. Any residual hide glue can be removed using a dampened cloth before it sets.

Hope this helps a little.

Best regards,

mooman

Subject: RE: BS: Repairing my Ukelele
From: catspaw49
Date: 22 Mar 02 - 08:25 AM

Thanks mooman for a wonderful of defense of poor old hide glue. You did fail to mention the wonderful smell which makes you feel you know what you're doing even when you're clueless.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Repairing my Ukelele
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 22 Mar 02 - 09:53 PM

Ah, the aroma of hide glue. Have you folks ever used "Barge Cement"? When I started doing leather carving, I was introduced to it's intoxicating charms. The term "Mad as a hatter" comes from many years of exposure to this lovely adhesive. Glues leather and felt real well though....whoops, what are those pink elephants doing on my keyboard?

Rick

Subject: RE: BS: Repairing my Ukelele
From: GUEST,Wa Ban Zhou
Date: 23 Mar 02 - 07:46 PM

Thanks I found a source for the glue and now it's off to find ukelele clamps, if such a thing can be found here in Washington-maybe I'll have to look in Hawaii! WaBan Zhou

Subject: RE: BS: Repairing my Ukelele
From: GUEST,CraigS
Date: 23 Mar 02 - 11:44 PM

Maybe I'm stating the obvious, but I'd use a string to make sure the bridge is in the right place before gluing it. Don't assume it was in the right place and glue it there until you've checked it - you might find out why it was so cheap!

Subject: RE: BS: Repairing my Ukelele
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 24 Mar 02 - 04:04 AM

If you can't find the clamps, let me know. There's a luthier whose shop is in Waimea, about 40 miles up the road from me, who's supposed to be the best on the island. I can contact him and find out where to get the clamps.

And I remember Barge Cement...it's what was recommended for fixing Birkenstocks. And barges, I suppose.

Aloha,
Mark

PS, if you join the Mudcat, you can send me a personal message, including your address for me to send the clamps to! Joining is easy (click on the link on the main Forum page that says "Membership has its privileges"), and guaranteed spam-free!