my thrifted tenor uke finally gave out on me yesterday

I found this beat up ukulele at a goodwill in Portland for $8 about a year ago and it sounded pretty good for what it was. Yesterday the bridge just popped clean off while I was tuning it, no warning at all. I tried to glue it back with some wood glue I had but it didn't hold, the wood underneath is too cracked. Anyone know if there's a way to fix a split bridge plate on a cheap uke without spending more than the thing is worth?

2 comments

2 Comments

wilson.emma3d ago

Oh wow, I used to think glue would fix anything on a cheap uke too but nope, that bridge plate crack is basically the end of the line! Honestly for eight bucks and a year of play you already got your money's worth, I'd just grab another thrift find instead of trying to save it.

shah.olivia3d ago

Tried superglue on a broken lamp once and it melted right through the plastic, so I feel your pain on the glue fail. For the bridge plate crack, you could try clamping it from the inside with some wood filler mixed with sawdust, but if the wood is too far gone it might just be a lost cause. I've fixed cheap ukes with a strip of hardwood cut from a paint stirrer and some titebond, but only if the crack isn't too deep. $8 is a steal for a year of use though, especially with how beat up it looked. Do you think it's worth trying to patch it up or are you just ready to grab another thrift store find?