I did some mock ups of 12 and 18 hole tie blocks. The 12 hole are known for string slippage. I did do some mods to see how that can be resolved, but not sold on my test results just yet. I did mock up some 18 hole samples and tested them. Wow! Makes the 12 hole look like a joke. No slippage what so ever in my mock ups. Very impressed. Might have to start using this design! Standard 6 hole works fine too! 🙂
Fellow luthiers, what are your experience with the 18 hole tie blocks?
I have been using them from the beginning, and have not had any problems. Carbon strings will slip, but a melted ball on the trebles will solve that. Usually only the high “e” slips. I like the 18 hole tie block clean look when strings are on.
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Do the carbon’s slip on the 18 hole? The melted ball trick is a safety precaution and should never be considered a solution.Â
The high “e” slips. it’s pretty small. You can do a double loop with the tail of the string and it won’t slip. Not necessary with nylon.
That is what I don’t like about the carbons. They are a smaller diameter and slip like crazy. Â So they are a problem on the 18 hole as well Waddy?Â
