Post by fobits on Apr 27, 2006 20:36:00 GMT -5
I've just finished (or mostly finished) fitting a plug in the tremolo hole of my Beringer, in order to mount a solid bridge. For anyone who is interested, I can explain exactly how it's done.
1) Use a half-round file and a rat-tail file to remove the lip around the opening. Try to make the sides straight and parallel to each other, just rounded a bit at the corners. The Beringer is made of something resembling balsa wood, so this part goes quickly
2) Search out the best and most exotic tonewood in your collection of plywood scraps. Glue pieces together to obtain a thickness of 1 1/4". Cut a rectangular piece a little bit bigger than the hole.
3) Spend about three and a half hours fitting them to each other. Sand a little on the plug and try it. File a little bit on the guitar and try again. Continue until you get a tight press fit.
4) Spread a layer of Elmer's carpenter's glue on the plug and inside the hole, and let it soak in for 5 minutes. Spread another layer and wait another 5 minutes. (Balsa wood absorbs a lot of glue). Spread a third and final layer and try to insert the plug into the hole.
5) Realize too late that the water-based glue, as it soaks into the wood, will cause it to expand.
6) Push the plug in as far as it will go. Then lay another piece of wood on top and BLAM, BLAM, BLAM on it as hard as you can with a hammer, attempting to drive the plug down level with the face of the guitar.
7) Snatch up the guitar and dash to the kitchen sink. Use wet paper towels and your thumbnail to remove the half-hardened glue which is smeared all over the front, before it gets so hard that it can't be budged.
8) Contemplate the fun you're going to have sanding down the plug, which still protrudes a bit above the face, without wreaking the paint.
That isn't the whole project, but it's enough to get you off to a good start. ;D
Happy luthering!
1) Use a half-round file and a rat-tail file to remove the lip around the opening. Try to make the sides straight and parallel to each other, just rounded a bit at the corners. The Beringer is made of something resembling balsa wood, so this part goes quickly
2) Search out the best and most exotic tonewood in your collection of plywood scraps. Glue pieces together to obtain a thickness of 1 1/4". Cut a rectangular piece a little bit bigger than the hole.
3) Spend about three and a half hours fitting them to each other. Sand a little on the plug and try it. File a little bit on the guitar and try again. Continue until you get a tight press fit.
4) Spread a layer of Elmer's carpenter's glue on the plug and inside the hole, and let it soak in for 5 minutes. Spread another layer and wait another 5 minutes. (Balsa wood absorbs a lot of glue). Spread a third and final layer and try to insert the plug into the hole.
5) Realize too late that the water-based glue, as it soaks into the wood, will cause it to expand.
6) Push the plug in as far as it will go. Then lay another piece of wood on top and BLAM, BLAM, BLAM on it as hard as you can with a hammer, attempting to drive the plug down level with the face of the guitar.
7) Snatch up the guitar and dash to the kitchen sink. Use wet paper towels and your thumbnail to remove the half-hardened glue which is smeared all over the front, before it gets so hard that it can't be budged.
8) Contemplate the fun you're going to have sanding down the plug, which still protrudes a bit above the face, without wreaking the paint.
That isn't the whole project, but it's enough to get you off to a good start. ;D
Happy luthering!
