String-through ferrules... What goes on the top?

DartmoorHedgehog

What do people use for the top of the holes in string-through bodies?  Ferrules for the back are obviously readily available, but I'm not sure about the top...

I could make a metal plate with holes, and make sure they're well rounded so as not to chop the strings.  The tidiest string-through designs I've seen just seem to have another set of ferrules in the top of the holes, but I'd imagine that would make it hard to get the strings through if they were the same as the bottom ferrules (i.e. small hole for the string to pass through).  Are there official "top ferrules" or some other source of flanged tubes that would work?  The cigar box guitar kit I built earlier came with some that would be ideal (just simple flanged tubes) but I can't seem to find a source of them.

And while I'm asking about ferrules - the Telecaster type ones seem to come in 4mm or 5mm.  Is there any reason to use one or the other or would they both work equally well with normal ball-ended strings?

WezV

string ferrules - you can get smaller  ones for the top

WezV

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6-x-Guitar-string-top-Mouting-ferrules-SF4-SF5-/140701635526?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368

although now I think back, they never used to be so easy to get.  I remember using string ball ends for the same purpose on a few early guitars

DartmoorHedgehog

Thanks @WezV.  I feel a muppet now, I'm sure I searched for "guitar string ferrules top" and missed those  ">

Is there any reason to go for 4mm or 5mm if I haven't drilled the holes yet?

WezV

I would only really go for the larger ones if you are making something that needs to fit bigger strings.

edit - just noticed  the string hole is wider on the smaller ferrule - i would still go for the smaller one as  its less intrusive

DartmoorHedgehog

Thanks again

ICBM

I think this is God's way of telling you that string-through designs with a tune-o-matic or any other bridge that isn't like a Tele or another hardtail Fender are an abomination.

DartmoorHedgehog

Well look away then @ICBM

Sporky

ICBM said:

I think this is God's way of telling you that string-through designs with a tune-o-matic [snip] are an abomination.

I like abominations. How do you feel about recessed TOMs?

http://monkeyfx.co.uk/pictures/builds/sp5/finished.jpg

ICBM

Yuck.

ThePrettyDamned

ICBM said:

Yuck.

Oh my. Do we disagree for once? That's a sexy guitar. Though I don't like string through so much on tom bridges as I once did.

ICBM

I don't mind the overall guitar too much, but I really detest string-through/tune-o-matic, especially with oversized ferrules like that. I'm not keen on the bitty design of the pickguard around the volume control either, or the headstock.

I don't have a problem with the recessed tune-o-matic by itself though.

All personal taste of course...

Sporky

ICBM said:

I don't mind the overall guitar too much, but I really detest string-through/tune-o-matic, especially with oversized ferrules like that. I'm not keen on the bitty design of the pickguard around the volume control either, or the headstock.

So I shouldn't expect an order from you any time soon?

WezV

ICBM;1059229" said:

I don't mind the overall guitar too much, but I really detest string-through/tune-o-matic, especially with oversized ferrules like that. I'm not keen on the bitty design of the pickguard around the volume control either, or the headstock.

I don't have a problem with the recessed tune-o-matic by itself though.

All personal taste of course...

I agree about the oversize top ferrules. But other than that I think sporky has a really nice design there. Its clean and modern with an offset vintage vibe. Works for me

Sporky

To be fair, had I known where to get smaller ferrules I'd have used smaller ferrules. And a bigger headstock with the right-way-'round tuners.

The scratchplate is impeccable though.

DartmoorHedgehog

Eek - I seem to have started a fight.

Well, mine's going to be string-through anyway