Official Luthiers Forum!

Owned and operated by Lance Kragenbrink
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 7:45 am


All times are UTC - 5 hours


Forum rules


Same rules apply to all forums at the Luthiers Forum.




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 8 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: string height?
PostPosted: Sat Mar 05, 2016 12:00 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa

Joined: Mon Dec 18, 2006 9:42 am
Posts: 1574
Location: United States
My first ukulele is a soprano. What height should I shoot for above the 12th fret?


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: string height?
PostPosted: Sat Mar 05, 2016 12:55 pm 
Offline
Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2012 4:10 pm
Posts: 272
First name: Chris
Last Name: Reed
City: Stowmarket
State: Suffolk
Zip/Postal Code: IP14 2EX
Country: UK
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
3 mm, with enough saddle to take it down to 2.5 mm.

Roughly speaking, on a soprano 3 mm suits strummers, 2.5 mm is for those who like to fingerpick as well. 2mm is for really flashy fingerpickers, but is hard to achieve without buzz and I wouldn't try it on a first build.



These users thanked the author profchris for the post: wbergman (Sat Mar 05, 2016 4:48 pm)
Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: string height?
PostPosted: Sat Mar 05, 2016 4:48 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa

Joined: Mon Dec 18, 2006 9:42 am
Posts: 1574
Location: United States
By the way, the plan I have uses a string spacing of 9/16", which is way more than classicals. Is that OK?


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: string height?
PostPosted: Sun Mar 06, 2016 6:15 am 
Offline
Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2012 4:10 pm
Posts: 272
First name: Chris
Last Name: Reed
City: Stowmarket
State: Suffolk
Zip/Postal Code: IP14 2EX
Country: UK
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
9/16 reads like a misprint, wherever you're measuring it.

I use 9mm at the nut, 13mm at the saddle, which is close to "standard" (i.e. what Martin used in the 20s, though I'm sure they measured in inches).

That's roughly 11/32 at the nut, 1/2 at the saddle. Though 9/16 at the saddle could work if you like such a wide spacing, I guess.

Do what I did - find a soprano you like the feel of and copy its spacing.



These users thanked the author profchris for the post: wbergman (Sun Mar 06, 2016 9:15 am)
Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: string height?
PostPosted: Wed Mar 09, 2016 1:04 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa
User avatar

Joined: Thu Dec 18, 2008 11:42 am
Posts: 1135
Location: Hudson, MA
First name: Kevin
Last Name: Quine
City: Hudson
State: MA
Country: Usa
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Yep....9/16" is weird. I use a 3/8" spacing at the nut. Check these free plans for dimensions.... http://www.grellier.fr/plans/Soprano_uk ... ele_en.pdf

I shoot for 0.09" action at the 12th fret. Some like higher action though. I'm a light strummer so I like lower action



These users thanked the author Quine for the post: wbergman (Wed Mar 09, 2016 1:14 pm)
Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: string height?
PostPosted: Wed Mar 09, 2016 4:10 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa

Joined: Mon Dec 18, 2006 9:42 am
Posts: 1574
Location: United States
I was referring to measurement at the bridge. So, it's 14 mm plus a bit.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: string height?
PostPosted: Thu Mar 10, 2016 4:36 am 
Offline
Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2012 4:10 pm
Posts: 272
First name: Chris
Last Name: Reed
City: Stowmarket
State: Suffolk
Zip/Postal Code: IP14 2EX
Country: UK
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
wbergman wrote:
I was referring to measurement at the bridge. So, it's 14 mm plus a bit.


I find that too wide for comfort. Like I said, worth finding a soprano you like the feel of and measuring its string spacing.



These users thanked the author profchris for the post: wbergman (Thu Mar 10, 2016 7:00 am)
Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: string height?
PostPosted: Thu Mar 17, 2016 12:42 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jan 31, 2009 8:50 pm
Posts: 2246
Location: Seattle WA
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro
3/8 nut, 9/16 bridge, 2 - 2 1/2mm@12th. Pretty standard.

Although It's usually referenced as 1&3/8" nut (with strings about 3mm in fron the edges) and 1&3/4" string spacing at bridge.

_________________
Pat



These users thanked the author Pmaj7 for the post: wbergman (Thu Mar 17, 2016 4:04 pm)
Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 8 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 13 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
cron
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
phpBB customization services by 2by2host.com