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Ferrule options for tail - would like something local

Hi,

When ordering everything I needed I neglected to get some ferrules for the tail to fit the strings through. I was just planning on drilling holes in the tail for the strings. What options can be found at a place like HD or lowes or even someplace like michaels? Is there anything out there I could just go pick up?

Thanks for any ideas!
Mike

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Permalink Reply by Uncle John on February 6, 2015 at 9:40am

Me too on the stash!

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Permalink Reply by Uncle John on February 5, 2015 at 8:47am

Those are good ideas and methods. But I prefer another route. I get a kick out of cutting simple tail pieces out of sheet metal. A bonus to this is that one or two screws they fasten and unfasten the tail piece to and from the box.

On my recent tenor build it took me 3 times to get the nut and saddle heights close to just right. I just left the strings on the tuners, removed the tailpiece and made my adjustments. Then got the strings untangled and screwed the tail piece back on.

I start out with cheap strings (Musician's Gear) from Musician's Friend. They are pretty decent. Then later when all is set to suit me, I may switch to some better strings from the Anonymous Pick or Gitty.

Same deal if you use a hinge tail piece.

If you lack sheet metal, use a tin can. Campbell's Pork & Beans cans are quite musical.

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Permalink Reply by Seasick Mick on February 5, 2015 at 10:10am

On Ebay you can buy coloured bike spoke nipples in red,blue and gold.They're 14 mm long but you can probably cut them down to a shorter length....

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Permalink Reply by Bad Finger (Eric) on February 6, 2015 at 2:27am

I thought I'd pull a couple pics out of my CBN albums.

Angle aluminum

Fretwire on box

Mojobone Works Tailpiece

Right Angle Braces

Closest I've done to ferrules since my first guitar build

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Permalink Reply by Thumper on February 6, 2015 at 6:26am

I try to be a bit of a repurposing nut. The tail piece is part of an old SS noodle fork. The nut and bridge are made of a piece of elk rib and 2 Walking Liberty 1/2 dollars

Attachments:

CBCstring retainer.JPG, 68 KB

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Permalink Reply by gary sheldon on February 6, 2015 at 6:40am

I have used thin copper tubeing. Drill the hole at an angle towards the headstock. Make the saw cut to match the angle of the hole you just drilled. Works ok. But I have since started using a brass plate screwed to the back. The neck stops at the back, inside of the box. Put a little back curve on it, cut slots and you have a quick change string changing method. You don't have to unthread the whole string. Simply loosen the tuners and pot the string out of the slot.