Ukulele Kits

Check out this blog for progress pictures on a Stew-Mac build.

This thread at UkeTalk discusses the Stew-Mac kit.
 
I've heard good things about the Stewmac kit. It's solid wood!

The Grizzly kit is much cheaper, but also inferior in quality and requires less work. http://grizzly.com/products/H3125 Coolest thing about it is that you can buy the parts separately and they're super-cheap; the necks seem to be adequate for a quick cigar-box uke.

Pete Howlett (one of our resident luthiers) sells his own kits and even has great step-by-step videos to guide you through the build process. The top, back, and sides are shaped for you, but you'll still learn a heck of a lot about the building process and I'm sure the materials are top-notch. http://uklectic.com/ukulele_kits.html

Hana Lima 'Ia sells great kits, but they're going to require a LOT of work and patience. You do most of the work yourself: http://uklectic.com/ukulele_kits.html
 
After doing some more surfing it looks like they have the same StewMac kit for sale at the Hana Lima 'IA store and you save $25

http://www.hanalimastore.com/servlet/Detail?no=93

I also found a couple of testimonials from people that have built them, about the only thing they would change is the tuners from tensioned to geared...

As for the Grizzly kit, it looks like the sound boxes come built and they are made from plywood.
 
After doing some more surfing it looks like they have the same StewMac kit for sale at the Hana Lima 'IA store and you save $25

http://www.hanalimastore.com/servlet/Detail?no=93

I see a couple differences anyway. The Hana Lima kit has a laminated back. Also the Stew kit has pre-bent sides. They both look like good kits though.
I've been considering both of those but want to build a concert. I will probably go with Hana Lima since S-M doesnt offer one and H-L offers different woods too

http://www.hanalimastore.com/servlet/Categories?category=Ukulele+Kits

FYI here is the H-L kit more similar to the S_M, with bent sides and solid back

http://www.hanalimastore.com/servlet/Detail?no=86
 
I built a StewMac kit, purchased through Hana Lima. You will learn some lessons along the way and don't need a lot of tools to get started. The finished product is pretty good. It can be made better through changing a part or two, taking your time with gluing and finishing, and reading the instructions.

But it is doable, good fun. Here's my chronicle: http://www.westhillswood.com/ukulele-build.html

One thing is certain, if you spend too much time fretting over a couple of dollars here or there over one kit or another, you'll never get around to doing what you wanted to do in the first place. Or like we used to say at the shop: sooner or later ya gotta shoot the engineer and build the darn thing! --- oh Jeez, I sound like an old guy:eek:ld:
 
The Grizzly kit is much cheaper, but also inferior in quality and requires less work. http://grizzly.com/products/H3125 Coolest thing about it is that you can buy the parts separately and they're super-cheap; the necks seem to be adequate for a quick cigar-box uke.

I'm LOLO, I couldn't find the neck and fretboard separately. I like make one 'ipu ukulele out of one gourd. :rock:
 
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