Aluminum used for nuts and bridges question

Malcolm Leonard · Post by **Malcolm Leonard** » 9 Jul 2005 2:24 am

Just curious as to whether the regular,local hardware store kind of aluminum bar and angle stock is useful for that purpose or if a special kind of aluminum is usually used and if so..why?
Thanks,
Malcolm

Tony Davis · Post by **Tony Davis** » 9 Jul 2005 3:57 am

Hey Malcom.
I dont know wether you are talking lap or Dobro...but for years on my 1930 something Australian made dobro I have used a store bought Aluminium nut extender and a saddle[bridge] that I made out of aluminium from work.......and it sounded lousy........made me want for a good Dobro!!!!
But last year I happened to be in Nashville and got a friend to take me to the Dobro(Gibson) factory in Church Street where I bought a bone nut and Ebony tipped saddle (Bridge)...you wouldnt believe the difference....the volume is about half as much again and the tone is real good....had to do a bit of tweaking on the spider aand cone....but for $20 for both saddle and nut.....I wouldnt part with it now.
Hope this helps
Tony

Billy Gilbert · Post by **Billy Gilbert** » 9 Jul 2005 5:11 am

Hardware store or even junkyard aluminum works for me on lap steels.

chas smith · Post by **chas smith** » 9 Jul 2005 10:08 am

Aluminum comes in a number of different alloys and hardnesses. The stuff you usually see is 6063 and is pretty soft. Better is, 6061 T-6, which the local hardware store may have. Your pots and pans are CP (commercially pure) and are very soft. Airplanes have 7075, tanker trucks might be 5000 series, some stong machined pieces might be 2024.

Soft, is a relative term. The easiest thing is to get some and try it out.

Jan Hess · Post by **Jan Hess** » 9 Jul 2005 11:39 am

Hi Chas;Are you familiar with a 7000 series aluminum called "fortal'? I bought a few chunks on ebay & am wondering if I made a decent choice.Any thoughts would be appreciated.Thank you.

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