Absolute Disaster!

ElectricDynamite · Nov 4, 2009

After waking up this morning, I was packing my bag, and amidst a veil of general sleepyness managed to knock a particularly heavy German dictionary off its shelf. Its trajectory of flight was anything but graceful as it soared through the air, and through the top of my beautiful Kala Koa/Cedartop Tenor.
The Uke means a lot to me, and I figured I'd look for advice on getting it fixed, and naturally this is the first place I've come to.
I live in the UK, so I don't know of any specialist luthiers nearby, but just looking for suggestions really.
Damage is as follows.

Doc_J · Nov 4, 2009

Wow. Sorry to hear about that. Looks bad, but I'm sure it can be fixed. Check with a local "music instrument" /guitar store. They must know of people who can fix this. I'd get an estimate though. It may be less costly to get a new one.

Another thought:have it cut out cleanly to remove vibrating broken bits and (1) leave as a new sound hole or (2) use a koa (or other wood) patch just covering the cut out (might look cool).

ElectricDynamite · Nov 4, 2009

Thanks for the reply man, I'll look into it at the weekend, you're right, a new patch might give it a bit of character

Landshark · Nov 4, 2009

Does not look good, but when I was visiting the Kanile'a factory, they had just repaired one of their baritone models for a customer that had sat on it. They said it had been severely damaged when they got it back but their repair job looked amazing, good as new. So there is hope.

ukuleG · Nov 4, 2009

i really need to start putting my ukes away Ive got 3 laying around on my floor at the moment its only a matter of time until i do something similar.

John Colter · Nov 4, 2009

Wow! That's awful! Damage to the front of a uke can often be repaired from inside, through the soundhole, but that looks too extensive. I'd cut away the damaged area, and replace it with new cedar. Such a repair would always be clearly visible, but need not look horrendously obvious.

Get a quote before leaving it with anybody. As someone mentioned above, the cost could be alarmingly high.

Do you have household insurance?

Ukantor.

Ronnie Aloha · Nov 4, 2009

I would venture to say that it might be cheaper to buy a new Kala...

Good luck with it. I was sick seeing it so I can't imagine how you felt.

Ahnko Honu · Nov 4, 2009

Buy a new 'ukulele, and turn that one into a Cigar box 'ukulele.

freedive135 · Nov 4, 2009

Find an old school, folk music, acoustic guitar shop that's been around since the 60's....

They will be able to tell you what to do, and tend to know their stuff.

The silver lining side is that it is still playable!!!

haole · Nov 4, 2009

Doc_J said:
Another thought:have it cut out cleanly to remove vibrating broken bits and (1) leave as a new sound hole or (2) use a koa (or other wood) patch just covering the cut out (might look cool).

Agreed! Contrasting wood might make it look artistic.

Or a new, irregular soundhole could be an interesting battle scar. It sucks that your uke got damaged, but it doesn't look like it's totaled.

John Colter · Nov 4, 2009

That kind of damage in that area is bad news. I'd advise you to take the tension off the strings right away, until you have figured out what to do about it.

Best of luck,

Ukantor.

DeG · Nov 4, 2009

You're not too far from Pete Howlett. Maybe, he could work some magic on it for you.

haolejohn · Nov 5, 2009

freedive135 said:
Find an old school, folk music, acoustic guitar shop that's been around since the 60's....

They will be able to tell you what to do, and tend to know their stuff.

The silver lining side is that it is still playable!!!

Why since the 60s? lol

MoreUke · Nov 5, 2009

I suggest leaving it as it is and just tell folks you are the "Willie Nelson" of the Ukuleles.

wfwhitson · Nov 5, 2009

Just had to do it.

Doctroid · Nov 5, 2009

ukuleG said:
i really need to start putting my ukes away Ive got 3 laying around on my floor at the moment its only a matter of time until i do something similar.

Good lesson to take away from this.

Ahnko Honu · Nov 5, 2009

I try and keep all my 'ukuleles out of harm's way. Most have cases, and with the exception of my Flea & Fluke both which I keep at bedside in gig bags all my 'ukuleles are in a specific protected place reserved for them. I'm a longboard surfer but haven't surfed in 6 years due to industrial injury and 3 back surgeries plus recovery so my surfboard in it's ceiling rack makes a nice 'ukulele shelf low enough for just me to reach.

kluson · Nov 5, 2009

Very sorry to see that. It of course can be repaired, but to have it repaired properly is not going to be cheap. Can you make an insurance claim? as accidental damage.

Good luck

I feel for you.
Hope you resolve that really soon

jenford · Nov 7, 2009

Can the top be replaced?
Do they do those kind of repairs on ukes ?

itsme · Nov 7, 2009

kluson said:
Can you make an insurance claim? as accidental damage.

I'm quite sure his homeowner's insurance would laugh at him if he tried to bring a claim. "Accidental damage" does not include one being a klutz and destroying their own property. Might be different if the OP had riders on individual instruments, don't really know.

jenford said:
Can the top be replaced?
Do they do those kind of repairs on ukes ?

Almost anything's possible with a good luthier, but don't expect the replacement to be cheap. Probably prohibitive even, given the replacement value.

I actually kind of like the idea of having the damage cut into an additional soundport or even replacing that area with a unique new wedge shaped piece of wood, if it would remain structurally sound.

Absolute Disaster!

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