Thingiverse
Ukulele nut intonation fixer by jdanders
by Thingiverse
Last crawled date: 4 years, 2 months ago
Bought a cheap Ukulele that doesn't sound in tune after tuning it? There are lots of reasons that could happen, but this replacement nut will fix one of the reasons. Intonation is the accuracy of the pitch of the instrument, by the way.
First to know if this will help, tune the ukulele while pressing a fret, instead of on and open string. If most of the fretted notes are in tune within a couple of cents, but the open string is out of tune, this will fix that problem. My first exposure to a fix was a blog post suggesting jamming a toothpick next to the nut. That does a surprisingly good job, but this is a step better because by the time you're done, each string can be customized to perfect tuning.
Tools
This was done in OpenSCAD and you will have best results if you just install it, rather than trying to use the thingiverse customizer. Open the file, edit the parameters as directed below, and then press F6 to render, and F7 to export to STL. Then slice away!
Customizing the nut
First off, the odds of this fitting your ukulele and fixing everything is slim. The concert uke I have is the Cordoba Protege U100CM, and the soprano is the super popular Mahalo Rainbow Series, so if you have one of those models, it might be that these will just work for you. However, I'm guessing this is a per ukulele problem (maybe even per string manufacturer?) otherwise it wouldn't be necessary and they would ship with good intonation.
Also, you'll need to remove the old nut (obviously?), and in the case of the Cordoba Uke that involved prying it off with a utility knife because they glued it on. When prying, try to prefer damaging the nut over the wood, since you will be replacing the nut. Please be careful, and don't do any damage you'll regret.
String tension is enough to hold the replacement in place, and the Mahalo came unglued.
It will really help to have calipers for this step, though a good ruler with mm markings can work well enough. All measurements are in millimeters. X is across the neck, Y is along the neck, and Z is vertical out of the neck.
Measure the base of the nut:
nut_x is the long dimension
nut_y is the short dimension of the base (along the neck)
Measure the fretboard height, which is the thickness of the fretboard in the z direction. Another way to say it is the distance that part of the nut is covered by the fretboard. This is fret_z.
Now measure the distance of each string from the "G" side of the fretboard, which is the top of the fretboard when holding the uke in normal right-handed direction. Find the distance of each string from that edge to the center of the string cutout and record those in the x_ values: x_g, x_c, x_e, x_a. Be careful not to get turned around on which side you are measuring.
If you want extra credit, you can also measure the diameter of each string. Otherwise make them all 0.9 or something. These are the th_ values.
Finally, the part that you will need to experiment with. The overlap value (meaning how much this new nut will overlap the fretboard) is how intonation is fixed. These are the off_ values. A couple of tips:
For extra precision, round these numbers to multiples of your layer thickness when printing. I printed at 0.2mm for prototype and 0.1mm for final, so I kept things multiples of 0.2mm.
Start with a constant number across all the strings, maybe 2mm is a good start point. Print this as a prototype.
When figuring out the final values of the overlap measurements, install the newly printed nut. This can be done without loosening the strings, just lift them up and push them off the side.
Tune the string open (unfretted). Now you'll play a fretted note higher up the neck anywhere from the 5th to the 12th fret. Observe the tuning difference between fretting and open.
If the note is flatter when fretted, make the overlap shorter.
If the note is sharper when fretted, make the overlap longer.
(there's a 50% chance those instructions are backwards ;) )
The amount you adjust it will just be a guess. The ranges I found valid on my ukes were between 1.4 mm and 3.2 mm.
You are done adjusting when the open fret is within a couple of cents of a fretted note. I was able to get it nearly perfect on both my ukes.
Extra variables
The string height is determined by str_z. The default value of 1.27 mm is good for both my ukes and comes from a quick search for ukulele setup.
The cut_slope is the angle the strings go down, so that the string is held taut at the edge of the nut.
Finally string_ff is some fudge added to the string diameter to make sure the cutout is large enough to actually hold the strings.
Printing
This is a really short print. It is oriented so that the greatest accuracy (x/y) is in applied to the string grooves. This means the overlap section of the nut is only as accurate as the layer size. A finer layer size will give more accuracy (though 0.2mm was enough accuracy for me) and also make a smoother curve, which is why I printed at 0.1mm for the final version.
First to know if this will help, tune the ukulele while pressing a fret, instead of on and open string. If most of the fretted notes are in tune within a couple of cents, but the open string is out of tune, this will fix that problem. My first exposure to a fix was a blog post suggesting jamming a toothpick next to the nut. That does a surprisingly good job, but this is a step better because by the time you're done, each string can be customized to perfect tuning.
Tools
This was done in OpenSCAD and you will have best results if you just install it, rather than trying to use the thingiverse customizer. Open the file, edit the parameters as directed below, and then press F6 to render, and F7 to export to STL. Then slice away!
Customizing the nut
First off, the odds of this fitting your ukulele and fixing everything is slim. The concert uke I have is the Cordoba Protege U100CM, and the soprano is the super popular Mahalo Rainbow Series, so if you have one of those models, it might be that these will just work for you. However, I'm guessing this is a per ukulele problem (maybe even per string manufacturer?) otherwise it wouldn't be necessary and they would ship with good intonation.
Also, you'll need to remove the old nut (obviously?), and in the case of the Cordoba Uke that involved prying it off with a utility knife because they glued it on. When prying, try to prefer damaging the nut over the wood, since you will be replacing the nut. Please be careful, and don't do any damage you'll regret.
String tension is enough to hold the replacement in place, and the Mahalo came unglued.
It will really help to have calipers for this step, though a good ruler with mm markings can work well enough. All measurements are in millimeters. X is across the neck, Y is along the neck, and Z is vertical out of the neck.
Measure the base of the nut:
nut_x is the long dimension
nut_y is the short dimension of the base (along the neck)
Measure the fretboard height, which is the thickness of the fretboard in the z direction. Another way to say it is the distance that part of the nut is covered by the fretboard. This is fret_z.
Now measure the distance of each string from the "G" side of the fretboard, which is the top of the fretboard when holding the uke in normal right-handed direction. Find the distance of each string from that edge to the center of the string cutout and record those in the x_ values: x_g, x_c, x_e, x_a. Be careful not to get turned around on which side you are measuring.
If you want extra credit, you can also measure the diameter of each string. Otherwise make them all 0.9 or something. These are the th_ values.
Finally, the part that you will need to experiment with. The overlap value (meaning how much this new nut will overlap the fretboard) is how intonation is fixed. These are the off_ values. A couple of tips:
For extra precision, round these numbers to multiples of your layer thickness when printing. I printed at 0.2mm for prototype and 0.1mm for final, so I kept things multiples of 0.2mm.
Start with a constant number across all the strings, maybe 2mm is a good start point. Print this as a prototype.
When figuring out the final values of the overlap measurements, install the newly printed nut. This can be done without loosening the strings, just lift them up and push them off the side.
Tune the string open (unfretted). Now you'll play a fretted note higher up the neck anywhere from the 5th to the 12th fret. Observe the tuning difference between fretting and open.
If the note is flatter when fretted, make the overlap shorter.
If the note is sharper when fretted, make the overlap longer.
(there's a 50% chance those instructions are backwards ;) )
The amount you adjust it will just be a guess. The ranges I found valid on my ukes were between 1.4 mm and 3.2 mm.
You are done adjusting when the open fret is within a couple of cents of a fretted note. I was able to get it nearly perfect on both my ukes.
Extra variables
The string height is determined by str_z. The default value of 1.27 mm is good for both my ukes and comes from a quick search for ukulele setup.
The cut_slope is the angle the strings go down, so that the string is held taut at the edge of the nut.
Finally string_ff is some fudge added to the string diameter to make sure the cutout is large enough to actually hold the strings.
Printing
This is a really short print. It is oriented so that the greatest accuracy (x/y) is in applied to the string grooves. This means the overlap section of the nut is only as accurate as the layer size. A finer layer size will give more accuracy (though 0.2mm was enough accuracy for me) and also make a smoother curve, which is why I printed at 0.1mm for the final version.
Similar models
thingiverse
free
***Guitar/ukulele*** print and play by TomMatten
...tten
thingiverse
playable guitar/ukulele. 4 piece print set. this version the neck is fret-less. 4 string ukulele strings needed
thingiverse
free
Ukulele Soprano by Blasur
...e body and neck and glue them together, then print the headstock and glue it to the neck. then the case and finally the diapason.
thingiverse
free
Playable Ukulele - Printable fretboard and saddle by A_McWoof
...printed 4 bushings to take up the space and allow for more tuning stability there. with geared tuners these should not be needed.
cg_trader
free
Assembled MGR Guitar Neck
...rets. tuning machine holes aren't necessarily exactly where they should be:). music nut guitar neck wd frets fretboard sports
thingiverse
free
Intonated Saddle for Ukulele by Big-E
...hat this worked for a tenor ukulele as well; it was also printed in abs and seems to work just fine. feel free to give it a shot.
grabcad
free
MGR Guitar Fretboard
...the 25.5" scale length.
the frets and the inlays still need to be added but this gives you a good idea how this is modeled.
3dwarehouse
free
Mandolin and Rebec
...body #cloakmonkey #guitar #hole #hollow #instrument #knob #mandolin #musical #neck #sound #strings #stuffz #tuneing #uke #ukulele
thingiverse
free
Ukulele Fretboard Generator by JmsDwh
... frets for almost any size ukulele.
if you need a custom size fretboard for your cigar box ukulele, then this is for you. enjoy!
grabcad
free
Stratocaster Style Guitar Neck
.... 21 fret, 25.5 scale length measured to fret distance, 9.5r fretboard profile. modeled after 1987 american standard fender neck.
thingiverse
free
Bridge Saddle Gauge (LEFT)
...ou tune and intonate the guitar.
the sharable link to this fusion 360 design file can be found at:
https://a360.co/3a8whhp
enjoy!
Intonation
3d_export
$8
Ramadan Karim with intonation 3D Model
...intonation 3d model
3dexport
ramadan karim month shahr intonation
ramadan karim with intonation 3d model goyamasta 37262 3dexport
thingiverse
free
Intonated Saddle for Ukulele by Big-E
...intonated saddle for ukulele by big-e thingiverse poor intonation is a hallmark of most ukuleles, the note played...
thingiverse
free
Floyd Rose Intonation Tool by Asebeth
...and his square bolt that goes in 'the key 2'
this thing need improvements for sure! i linked the f3d file to customize it
thingiverse
free
Guitar bridge to fix sharp intonation by AWS3D
... you would like the fusion 360 files or would like me to edit the design for your needs please contact me at my email in the bio.
thingiverse
free
Travelele Nut Revised by docneuman
...revised by docneuman thingiverse i had trouble with the intonation of the travelele and i found that it was...
thingiverse
free
Headlamp mount for GoPro quick release by Eldritch972
...gg polaris, bikepack etc. at least, they all seem to have the same mounting system, so they should be compatible with this mount.
thingiverse
free
Electric U-bass piezo bridge by baciu301
...might not work for a fretted instrument as the intonation might not be exactly right. check out the entire...
thingiverse
free
Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece by Allanrps
...and basic length measurements. i was surprised with it's intonation and ease of playing, which were better than the...
thingiverse
free
Bridge Saddle Guage
...ou tune and intonate the guitar.
the sharable link to this fusion 360 design file can be found at:
https://a360.co/2u1r4ao
enjoy!
Ukulele
3d_export
$5
ukulele
...ukulele
3dexport
ukulele
3d_export
$5
ukulele
...ukulele
3dexport
detailed model of the ukulele.
3d_export
$5
ukulele
...ukulele
3dexport
i just make a ukulele in 3d
turbosquid
$5
ukulele
...le
turbosquid
royalty free 3d model ukulele for download as on turbosquid: 3d models for games, architecture, videos. (1419122)
turbosquid
$25
Ukulele
...id
royalty free 3d model ukulele for download as max and fbx on turbosquid: 3d models for games, architecture, videos. (1545549)
turbosquid
$19
Ukulele
...oyalty free 3d model ukulele for download as max, ma, and obj on turbosquid: 3d models for games, architecture, videos. (1590465)
turbosquid
$29
ukulele
... free 3d model ukulele for download as 3ds, obj, c4d, and fbx on turbosquid: 3d models for games, architecture, videos. (1228439)
turbosquid
$20
Ukulele
...ree 3d model ukulele for download as 3ds, obj, fbx, and blend on turbosquid: 3d models for games, architecture, videos. (1464389)
turbosquid
$19
Ukulele
...ree 3d model ukulele for download as obj, fbx, blend, and dae on turbosquid: 3d models for games, architecture, videos. (1444122)
turbosquid
$40
Ukulele shop
...ree 3d model ukulele shop for download as obj, fbx, and blend on turbosquid: 3d models for games, architecture, videos. (1425561)
Fixer
3d_export
$5
Flange fixer for installation
...lange fixer for installation
3dexport
flange fixer for installation with diameter 3000. for chimney for wind generator tubes etc
thingiverse
free
tjam fixer
...tjam fixer
thingiverse
print fixer
thingiverse
free
Mask Neck Fixer
...mask neck fixer
thingiverse
mask neck fixer
thingiverse
free
plate fixer by creativesam
...plate fixer by creativesam
thingiverse
plate fixer for 2mm polycarbonate
thingiverse
free
Cross fixer by creativesam
...cross fixer by creativesam
thingiverse
cross fixer for the broken parts
thingiverse
free
Divot Fixer by zthralls
...divot fixer by zthralls
thingiverse
divot fixer for the courteous golfer
thingiverse
free
2004LCD fixer by creativesam
...2004lcd fixer by creativesam
thingiverse
2004lcd fixer with m3 15mm bolt for 2020 profile
thingiverse
free
M.Project Case fixers by creativesam
...m.project case fixers by creativesam
thingiverse
m.project case fixers
thingiverse
free
Frame hanger fixer by creativesam
...frame hanger fixer by creativesam
thingiverse
frame hanger fixer
thingiverse
free
Micro switch fixer
...xer
thingiverse
those microswitch fixer have the porpuse fasten microswitch in extrutured profile 20x20 and others dimenssions
Nut
3d_export
free
nut
...nut
3dexport
low poly
turbosquid
$13
Nut
...
royalty free 3d model nut for download as max, obj, and fbx on turbosquid: 3d models for games, architecture, videos. (1227126)
turbosquid
$12
nut
...
royalty free 3d model nut for download as max, obj, and fbx on turbosquid: 3d models for games, architecture, videos. (1175191)
3d_export
$5
nut handle
...nut handle
3dexport
nut handle
3d_export
$5
nut anchor
...nut anchor
3dexport
nut anchor
3d_export
$5
wing nut
...wing nut
3dexport
wing nut
3d_export
$5
butterfly nut
...butterfly nut
3dexport
butterfly nut
3d_export
$5
special nut
...special nut
3dexport
special nut
3d_export
$5
nut hook
...nut hook
3dexport
nut hook
3d_export
$5
nut ring
...nut ring
3dexport
nut ring