How to restring a Snail or Kala Elite Ukulele (pull through Ukulele bridge)

Part one which covers traditional tye-on bridges and how to handle the machine head part of a string change can be found here.
• How to restring a Ukulele
This video is a companion piece for players with this particular type of unconventional bridge.

[@geesabunny]

Phew! Just picked up my tenor to find the low g that I had fitted by the shop had snapped! I've changed strings on my tie bridge ukes before no problem but hadn't really considered how this lovely looking bridge works - mild panic ensued, lol!! Thanks for the calm-restoring information.

[@mobiledaw1436]

I’m dreading changing the strings on my risa tenor stick. I’ve had it a few years now.

[@MrEconline]

Well I just got this as a gift and in a few months my uke has a intonation issue. The g string is not ringing, It plinking. It's rubbing on the fret I guess. can these necks be adjusted, or fixed?

[@SouthernUkuleleStore]

It probably needs new strings. If the intonation issue has developed, that would be the first thing to check. If you have just changed the strings give it a couple of weeks to settle. Otherwise yes they can be adjusted.

[@wrekkingcru]

Just bought my first Uke and came across all of the great info you have on your channel. Can you recommend a good set of strings for me? This Ukulele is a Mitchell-100CE/N Concert model and is made of Koa wood. I'd call it a starter-plus level as it's neither junk nor is it remotely top-of-the-line, but it has decent tone, intonation and play-ability for the money. I was thinking of going with the Martin M600 Fluorocarbon strings, but would love to get your recommendation. I tried to find what strings it came with, but couldn't find that info on Mitchell's website. Thanks.

[@SouthernUkuleleStore]

The stock strings are probably Aquila. I would indeed try the Martin's first... They are always a safe place to start.

[@wrekkingcru]

@@SouthernUkuleleStore Thank you, sir!

[@wschield608]

Hey Alex, I have a Kala Elite tenor and when I received it only one strings had the bead on the inside. The “E” string. Which I don’t use. Over the last month I have tried three different sets of strings. What I’ve found is my double knot, which it appears is the same knot you’re using, stretches out while tuning and re-tuning the first few days, will on occasion pull free. Is this usual or am I doing something wrong? Because of my big paws I also made a retrieval hook to fish out the strings. It is made from a wire coat hanger and then I covered all exposed metal with a heat shrink wrap rubber tubing to protect my ukulele. I think of it the same way I look at a winder, it just makes life a little easier. Thanks for posting, Wes

[@SouthernUkuleleStore]

That’s a good tip Wes, if the knots aren’t thick enough then I recommend getting the beads - there isn’t an exact science to it. You can buy the beads in bulk from a craft shop and one customer told me they got a bag of ball ends on eBay for £2... it sounds like that’s the only way of fixing the problem. I have seen some companies thread all four strings together through the sound hole and tye them all to each other - that would work for sure. They can’t come undone if you fasten them all together!

[@wschield608]

I’m sorry to bother you but a final question, does using a bead ever cause an instrument to rattle or vibrate? Thanks again, Wes

[@SouthernUkuleleStore]

It could but I think it’s unlikely as essentially you are creating a ball end, and the important parts are happening between the bridge saddle, tuning peg and the nut.

[@audreygiamlayhoon]

Thank you, Alex, I own a Snail S60C Concert Koa, and this video nicely explains what your earlier video of conventional bridge did not. Can I ask, what do you call the blue rest that the neck goes on to? I'd like to buy one.

[@SouthernUkuleleStore]

Audrey Layhoon Giam - great stuff. That particular one is the Music Nomad Neck Cradle Cube. Plenty of other brands sell a version and the common name is a ‘neck cradle’. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@audreygiamlayhoon]

@@SouthernUkuleleStore thanks, as always.

[@paulcrosby46]

Those cradles are awfully expensive for what they are. I just put a thick book under the neck!

[@SouthernUkuleleStore]

Paul Crosby depends how much you are using it really. I think we would get funny looks if we did repairs with a telephone book

[@juliadahn2335]

What was the purpose of the tape near the bridge? Just for protection of the sound board?

[@SouthernUkuleleStore]

Julia Dahn thats it... it wasn’t really necessary on this one but I did it out of habit. 😊

[@rusinga]

Just lost one string on my Snail SUC M1. Would you replace just the one string or take opportunity to replace all. Only had the uke 4 months. Also string broke 1 cm from the bridge. Struggling to push the little piece through to get it out and reach through the sound hole to pull the other end. Any suggestions?

[@SouthernUkuleleStore]

That's a shame... I recommend just changing them all as factory strings from new have a shorter shelf life than a new set from a packet... (You don't know how long they were on the uke before you got it and they would expanded and retract under tension whilst in transit). The other benefit to doing the whole set is because it gives you a clear soundhole to put your fingers in to pull at that stuck string end... While you try and fish it out I recommend poking a thin screwdriver or alum key in the hole on the bridge to loosen the knot that's stuck. Fingers crossed it's worked for me hundreds of times over the years on all sorts of Instruments.

[@rusinga]

Southern Ukulele Store thanks. What strings would you recommend? Any tricks to get the short broken string out that is stuck in the hole?

[@arob13]

What is the advantage of this bridge design? Seems like a total pain in the arse.

[@SouthernUkuleleStore]

Yeh, it sure is fiddly... I suppose the advantages are that less tension is being put on the bridge itself meaning the instrument is less likely to warp over time. I've had instruments with these Bridges and I agree they are a hassle. In the case of something like the Snails though - they are among the only tangible negative points I can think to make about them.

[@arob13]

@@SouthernUkuleleStore Oh well. Cheers for the prompt reply!

[@QuentinRichardson-supersnail]

PULL THROUGH bridges are the PITS! Nightmare compared to classical tie. Super fiddly and a real nuisance if you only want to change one string. Worst idea ever. I have a Snail uke with this bridge. Love the uke - hate the bridge.

[@SouthernUkuleleStore]

That’s a common opinion, I had a Kala Elite with one too and loved it until the day a string broke mid-gig.