Rosewood tailpiece

[Sarah93003]

Tricky job. For production, I would also suggest templates that help you position the holes without having to measure each time... They could have a rim on them that automatically "centers" the template on the piece. You will also find that sanding dramatically darkens the rosewood, then a light oil finish will highlight the colors in the wood.

Thanks! Excellent tips. I have some other ideas for a "production" process that will greatly speed up the positioning. Not to brag, but when I held the two together and looked into a light, all six 3/32" holes lined up perfectly.

[olrocknroller]

Tricky job. For production, I would also suggest templates that help you position the holes without having to measure each time... They could have a rim on them that automatically "centers" the template on the piece. You will also find that sanding dramatically darkens the rosewood, then a light oil finish will highlight the colors in the wood.

Thanks! Excellent tips. I have some other ideas for a "production" process that will greatly speed up the positioning. Not to brag, but when I held the two together and looked into a light, all six 3/32" holes lined up perfectly.

Careful work always produces good results...

[panther]

Sarah;
I don't know for sure what the one on my Dobro is made of, but I would just as soon have the Rosewood version. I think a much heartier wood.
Dan

[panther]

In fact I wonder if different material would have any effect on tone ?
Dan

[Sarah93003]

In fact I wonder if different material would have any effect on tone ?
Dan

I don't think it will have much, if any, effect on tone. I think the bridge would be more like to be effectual. In fact, I've wanted to make a glass bridge for quite some time just to see how that goes. I do think Rosewood is a good choice for the tailpiece, being such a hardwood.

[Veenture]

In fact, I've wanted to make a glass bridge for quite some time just to see how that goes.

Just be careful hitting any high notes...
But seriously, that seems like a very good idea

[Sarah93003]

Great projects you are covering Sarah.

Regarding the tail stop, I believe the material is Walnut not Rosewood and rather than stain all you have to do is oil it with linseed oil to get it dark. Regardless of material, you're doing a great job and I really appreciate you chronicling it here on the forum.

Thank you Danny. I enjoy learning from others threads and hope that someone can get some use out of what I might contribute.

Danny (or others) do you have any experience with wood dyes? I was at our local woodworking store this weekend and the guy was suggesting I use wood dye as opposed to wood stain. He said that wood stain really just sits on top of the wood and wood dye is a thinner or finer liquid and penetrates better. I'm planning to use Ebony die on a Pau Ferro fretboard on the Streamliner project and now I'm also considering Walnut die on the Rosewood tailpieces to darken it a bit.

What do you think?

[dubtrub]

I've used Fiebings leather dye on fretboards as well as a multitude of other projects. It works great with deep penetration into the wood. I haven't tried any wood dyes but if it works as good as the leather dye I'd say go for it. Don't get it on your hands.

[Sarah93003]

I've used Fiebings leather dye on fretboards as well as a multitude of other projects. It works great with deep penetration into the wood. I haven't tried any wood dyes but if it works as good as the leather dye I'd say go for it. Don't get it on your hands.

, yeah, that would not go with my nail polish!

[Sarah93003]

Well, here is a little progress. I've sanded the piece on all surfaces and then rounded the corners for the corners that receive that.



Another view. This surface and the surface on the bottom retain their sharp corner and will be bonded to an aluminum angle.






This image shows my piece compared to the master.



Tomorrow I'll cut the aluminum angel to size, epoxy the rosewood piece to it, and round the corners appropriately.