How to make a Kite Guitar: Difference between revisions

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Another possibility is to convert a 6-string classical nylon-string to 7 or 8 strings. The tension is low enough that an extra string or two won't break the guitar. The fingerboard is wide enough that it may suffice as is. If not, again the new fretboard can be slightly wider.

To add an additional [[wikipedia:Machine_head|tuner]] or two, the 3 holes on each side of the headstock that the tuner pegs go through can be filled and 4 new holes drilled. Or a ~~banjo~~ tuner or two can be added at the top of the headstock. Use the type of ~~banjo~~ tuner that has the knob pointing backwards, not sideways (i.e. perpendicular to the headstock, not parallel to it). For ease of use, get one that is geared (via a [[wikipedia:Epicyclic_gearing|planetary gear]]), so that many turns of the knob equals one turn of the post that the string passes through.

To add an additional [[wikipedia:Machine_head|tuner]] or two, the 3 holes on each side of the headstock that the tuner pegs go through can be filled and 4 new holes drilled. Or a ukulele tuner or two can be added at the top of the headstock. (Banjo tuners can work too.) Use the type of tuner that has the knob pointing backwards, not sideways (i.e. perpendicular to the headstock, not parallel to it). For ease of use, get one that is geared (via a [[wikipedia:Epicyclic_gearing|planetary gear]]), so that many turns of the knob equals one turn of the post that the string passes through. This [https://graphtech.com/collections/ratio-machine-heads-ukulele/products/ratio-tune-a-lele-machine-heads-pru-4004-bk set of 4 ukulele tuners from graphtech.com] is $33 plus shipping.

There will need to be new holes in the tie block. They might need to be drilled at an angle, entering from near the upper edge of the back of the tie block. But it's often possible to go straight in with a bit extension. This type is good because it's magnetic so there's no chuck to get in the way: [https://www.harborfreight.com/6-in-magnetic-hex-bit-extension-62691.html harborfreight.com/6-in-magnetic-hex-bit-extension-62691.html]. Harbor Freight also sells drill bits that fit into it, see below.

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 Another possibility is to convert a 6-string classical nylon-string to 7 or 8 strings. The tension is low enough that an extra string or two won't break the guitar. The fingerboard is wide enough that it may suffice as is. If not, again the new fretboard can be slightly wider.
-To add an additional [[wikipedia:Machine_head|tuner]] or two, the 3 holes on each side of the headstock that the tuner pegs go through can be filled and 4 new holes drilled. Or a banjo tuner or two can be added at the top of the headstock. Use the type of banjo tuner that has the knob pointing backwards, not sideways (i.e. perpendicular to the headstock, not parallel to it). For ease of use, get one that is geared (via a [[wikipedia:Epicyclic_gearing|planetary gear]]), so that many turns of the knob equals one turn of the post that the string passes through.
+To add an additional [[wikipedia:Machine_head|tuner]] or two, the 3 holes on each side of the headstock that the tuner pegs go through can be filled and 4 new holes drilled. Or a ukulele tuner or two can be added at the top of the headstock. (Banjo tuners can work too.) Use the type of tuner that has the knob pointing backwards, not sideways (i.e. perpendicular to the headstock, not parallel to it). For ease of use, get one that is geared (via a [[wikipedia:Epicyclic_gearing|planetary gear]]), so that many turns of the knob equals one turn of the post that the string passes through. This [https://graphtech.com/collections/ratio-machine-heads-ukulele/products/ratio-tune-a-lele-machine-heads-pru-4004-bk set of 4 ukulele tuners from graphtech.com] is $33 plus shipping.
 There will need to be new holes in the tie block. They might need to be drilled at an angle, entering from near the upper edge of the back of the tie block. But it's often possible to go straight in with a bit extension. This type is good because it's magnetic so there's no chuck to get in the way: [https://www.harborfreight.com/6-in-magnetic-hex-bit-extension-62691.html harborfreight.com/6-in-magnetic-hex-bit-extension-62691.html]. Harbor Freight also sells drill bits that fit into it, see below.