greenscoe
Well-known member
A few weeks ago, I posted a thread about using a cheap donor instrument to experiment with soundboard bracing. I then spotted Ammoon DIY kits on Amazon and bought a tenor (£26) version for the same purpose.
http://forum.ukuleleunderground.com/showthread.php?129929-Experimenting-using-a-donor-instrument
https://www.amazon.co.uk/ammoon-Uke...1512901949&sr=8-1&keywords=ammoon+ukulele+kit
This post is to point out that using this kit can be a cheap and easy introduction to instrument making ( though the quality will not be as good as a solid wood kit ).
The laminate soundboard has no bridge patch or fan bracing and is unlikely to produce a decent sounding instrument. This can be improved by replacing the laminate soundboard with a solid one.
My soundbox was perfectly symmetrical: the back was a little deformed due to the clamping. The roughed out neck was fine: the fretboard was a couple of mm too long from the end to the first fret. I also discarded the bridge and strings provided. The kit comes with no instructions so the builder needs to know where to attach the bridge for correct intonation.
As before I protected the back whilst removing the existing top. I reinforced the kerfing as I believe stiff linings make a better sounding uke. My new Engelmann spruce top has a similar bracing pattern to that used by Tom Rodrigues. I added walnut binding to the top which has a simple rosette (made from strips of veneer).
I joined the neck to the box with threaded insert and bolt. The instrument is finished in true oil over shellac and has low G Living Waters strings.
For about 15 hrs effort, a total outlay of less than £50, I now have a loud, punchy, decent sounding/looking instrument. For me, another successful experiment in bracing and maybe encouragement for others to try this kit as their first attempt at making a uke. For those of you wondering, the upper bout has a detachable vinyl protective sheet attached.
http://forum.ukuleleunderground.com/showthread.php?129929-Experimenting-using-a-donor-instrument
https://www.amazon.co.uk/ammoon-Uke...1512901949&sr=8-1&keywords=ammoon+ukulele+kit
This post is to point out that using this kit can be a cheap and easy introduction to instrument making ( though the quality will not be as good as a solid wood kit ).
The laminate soundboard has no bridge patch or fan bracing and is unlikely to produce a decent sounding instrument. This can be improved by replacing the laminate soundboard with a solid one.
My soundbox was perfectly symmetrical: the back was a little deformed due to the clamping. The roughed out neck was fine: the fretboard was a couple of mm too long from the end to the first fret. I also discarded the bridge and strings provided. The kit comes with no instructions so the builder needs to know where to attach the bridge for correct intonation.
As before I protected the back whilst removing the existing top. I reinforced the kerfing as I believe stiff linings make a better sounding uke. My new Engelmann spruce top has a similar bracing pattern to that used by Tom Rodrigues. I added walnut binding to the top which has a simple rosette (made from strips of veneer).
I joined the neck to the box with threaded insert and bolt. The instrument is finished in true oil over shellac and has low G Living Waters strings.
For about 15 hrs effort, a total outlay of less than £50, I now have a loud, punchy, decent sounding/looking instrument. For me, another successful experiment in bracing and maybe encouragement for others to try this kit as their first attempt at making a uke. For those of you wondering, the upper bout has a detachable vinyl protective sheet attached.
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