Nerdy Gurdy Basic Key Spacers

These are shims used to reduce play in the keys. They make the keys move smoother and faster, increase the tuning accuracy, and reduce vibrational noise that loose keys generate. Overall sound quality is improved. Installation with take many hours, as each key needs to be file fit to their hole afterward.

The side spacers are 0.32mm and the bottom spacers are 0.36mm, but you may need to change that to suit your gurdy as it'll depend on the thickness of the wood stock that was used for the keys and the accuracy of the laser cutter that was used.

I print these in ABS plastic and use super glue to adhere them to the keys. Before glueing clean the keys side and bottom with alcohol, then file them smooth, sand lightly, then clean again. The shim with holes goes on the bottom, and the side shim goes on one side of the key only. I like to put them on the side that pushes the key toward the tangent adjustment, so that gets reduced. Put glue on the key, lay the shim in place, then mash it fla