Luthiers, where can I find top-mount string ferrules?

[TerribleTim68]

Can't you just use back ferrules and place them in the top? What specifically makes a ferrule "back" only?

 

[Bruce Johnson]

Can't you just use back ferrules and place them in the top? What specifically makes a ferrule "back" only?

The "back ferrules" are larger diameter, with a large counterbored socket that the whole ball end fits into. The front ferrules are smaller, with an ID just for the string, and a big radiused flange. The large radiused top flange is the reason why it's a special part. You want that radius to protect the string from getting kinked on a sharp edge. A commercial eyelet or screw head ferrule will usually not have that much radius at the flange.

As I said above, this is a real simple job on a lathe. I could turn out a set of these in brass in a half hour. And I'm not speculating; I've made hundreds of custom ferrules for Luthiers over the years. I'm not interested in the job now. I don't do custom hardware anymore. I'm just point out that this is a simple job....If you have a metal lathe. And everyone should have a metal lathe in their garage!

 

[TerribleTim68]

The "back ferrules" are larger diameter, with a large counterbored socket that the whole ball end fits into. The front ferrules are smaller, with an ID just for the string, and a big radiused flange. The large radiused top flange is the reason why it's a special part. You want that radius to protect the string from getting kinked on a sharp edge. A commercial eyelet or screw head ferrule will usually not have that much radius at the flange.

As I said above, this is a real simple job on a lathe. I could turn out a set of these in brass in a half hour. And I'm not speculating; I've made hundreds of custom ferrules for Luthiers over the years. I'm not interested in the job now. I don't do custom hardware anymore. I'm just point out that this is a simple job....If you have a metal lathe. And everyone should have a metal lathe in their garage!

Thanks for the info Bruce. I know I've seen some with a smaller interior diameter.

Also, one could (if one so chose) use a wood lathe too if you wanted to do it out of brass or softer aloominoom. Just saying. Wood turning tools will turn soft metals, carbides will work even better. I may go that route when I get to the ferrules for my Diva build since I have a wood lathe, but not a metal lathe.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

Try the guitar size ones, you could always drill out the diameters for the larger bass strings.
The links I posted above are both guitar and bass sizes.