Monochord rod module

Parts

• Tail block
• Pickup
• 2× Pickup screws
• Endstop module
• 2× M3 × 8
• Idler sled
• 2× 625ZZ bearings
• Dowel pin 5 × 30
• M3 nyloc
• Tension knob
• M3 × 25 hex head
• Race spacer
• Idler pulley

Tools

• 2.5 mm hex key

Steps

1. 1 Fit the pickup from below with its two screws.
2. 2 Fit the endstop board from below with 2 × M3×8.
3. 3 Run the endstop wire under the board and out through its channel.
4. 4 Press a 625ZZ into the sled from each side.
5. 5 Push the dowel pin through both bearings.
6. 6 Drop the nyloc into its slot in the sled, nylon side toward the bearings.
7. 7 Lower the sled through the idler well into its pocket.
8. 8 Press the M3×25 head into the knob's hex recess.
9. 9 Thread the screw in through the end wall, a few turns into the nyloc.
10. 10 Slip the race spacer onto the pin, onto the top bearing.
11. 11 Fit the idler pulley on the pin, hub up.
12. 12 Tighten its set screws on the pin. The pin turns in the bearings, not the pulley on the pin.

Parts

• Head block
• Eddaray E-1001 tuner
• Tuner bushing and washer
• Tuner ear screw
• Motor 17HS08
• 4× M3 × 4
• Motor pulley

Tools

• 2.5 mm hex key

Steps

1. 1 Take the button off the tuner key; it won't pass the side port.
2. 2 Insert the tuner from below: collar into the counterbore, key stem up its slot.
3. 3 Fit the ear screw from below.
4. 4 Refit the button through the side port.
5. 5 Drop the washer onto the collar from the top.
6. 6 Thread the bushing into the collar from the top.
7. 7 Insert the motor from below, boss into its pocket.
8. 8 Drive 4 × M3×4 down through the pulley well into the motor face.
9. 9 Fit the pulley on the shaft, hub up, its flange about 1 mm above the well floor.
10. 10 Tighten its set screws from the side, one on the shaft's flat.

Parts

• Carriage body
• Carriage keel
• Bushing RJ4JP-01-10
• Fret ring 30 × 24 × 3
• 4× M3 × 14

Tools

• 2.5 mm hex key

Steps

1. 1 Push the bushing through the ring.
2. 2 Fit the keel from below.
3. 3 Fit the body from above.
4. 4 Drive 4 × M3×14 up from below.

Needs

• Head block assembly step 2

Parts

• 6× 2 top + 4 side T-nuts
• 2× M5 × 8
• 4× M5 × 6 flat round head

Tools

• 4 mm hex key
• 3 mm hex key

Steps

1. 1 Drop 2 T-nuts into the top slots at the head end.
2. 2 Drop 4 T-nuts into the side slots at the head end.
3. 3 1 Ring 1: Lower the head block over the beam end until its hook leg sits on the cut face.
4. 4 Drive 2 × M5×8 down into the top T-nuts.
5. 5 Drive 4 × M5×6 flat heads into the side T-nuts. Snug only; the cheeks are thin.

Needs

• Carriage step 3
• Tail block assembly step 1

Parts

• Rod 10 × 450
• 6× 2 top + 4 side T-nuts
• 2× M5 × 8
• 4× M5 × 6 flat round head

Tools

• 4 mm hex key
• 3 mm hex key

Steps

1. 1 Slide the rod through the carriage into the head socket.
2. 2 Drop 2 T-nuts into the top slots at the tail end.
3. 3 Drop 4 T-nuts into the side slots at the tail end.
4. 4 1 Ring 1: Slide the tail block along the beam until its socket seats on the rod end. The rod sets its position, not the beam end.
5. 5 Drive 2 × M5×8 down into the top T-nuts.
6. 6 Drive 4 × M5×6 flat heads into the side T-nuts, snug only.
7. 7 Slide the carriage end to end by hand. It should run without catching.

Parts

• GT2 6 mm belt, about 1.48 m

Tools

• Flush cutters

Steps

1. 1 Back the knob out until the sled stops, pushing the idler pulley toward the motor. The screw only pulls.
2. 2 1 Ring 1: Press the head-side belt end up into its carriage slot, six teeth in, past the lip.
3. 3 Run the belt round both pulleys and back through the return tunnel.
4. 4 Pull it snug.
5. 5 Cut it so six teeth fill the other slot.
6. 6 1 Ring 1: Press that end up into its slot, past the lip.

Tools

• Phone tuner

Steps

1. 1 Slide the carriage until the ring is 102 mm from the tail block.
2. 2 Pluck the open belt run about 1 mm, halfway between the head block and the carriage.
3. 3 1 Ring 1: Turn the knob clockwise to raise the pitch until a phone tuner reads G1, 49 Hz. C#1 to B1 is fine.

Parts

• Nut cap
• 3 mm nut rod
• Bridge cap
• 3 mm bridge rod
• M3 washer
• String .017

Steps

1. 1 Snap the 44 mm rod into the nut cap and the 32 mm rod into the bridge cap.
2. 2 Slide each cap in along its dovetail until it stops.
3. 3 Drop the M3 washer into its slot in the anchor.
4. 4 1 Ring 1: Feed the string through the washer toward the bridge until the ball end seats.
5. 5 Run the string over the bridge, the ring and the nut, into the V of each cap.
6. 6 Thread it through the tuner post.
7. 7 Wind it so the wraps go down the post.
8. 8 Tune the open string to G#3.