I am attempting to make an electric ukulele, but I have run into a few problems, I don't really know what kind of a pick up to use whether a bass pickup or a under saddle pick up. Along with the pickup problem I was wondering if anyone could help me with what type of bridge to use. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks
Electric Uke for a noob
- Thread starter Giglshit
- Start date
thistle3585
Well-known member
We need more info to help you. Are you making a solid body, semi-hollow body or acoustic/electric? Steel or nylon strings? What kind of sound are you looking for?
eepunk
Member
Hi Giglshit,
I have spent the last few weeks building various iterations of a solid-body, steel string, single pickup uke and I'm loving the project.
Whether you decide to go for an amplified acoustic (under saddle/piezo pickup) or a full blown electric, you're going to enjoy the journey.
Not to downplay UU but there is a great deal of info at http://www.cigarboxnation.com, definitely worth a look. That site is dedicated to unconventional stringed instruments of all sorts. (Fretless three string electric guitar made from an aluminium pole, anyone?)
For myself, my own build is decidely ghetto but looking through the picture gallery on the above site gave me lots of ideas for this decidedly unconventional instrument.
If you're interested in what I've done with my own build, I have detailed some of my own build here
Happy to share what I've learned. One thing I will say though is decide what scale you're building, If you don't know what I mean by that, then you're at the same place I was about three weeks ago.
Good luck.
E.E.
I have spent the last few weeks building various iterations of a solid-body, steel string, single pickup uke and I'm loving the project.
Whether you decide to go for an amplified acoustic (under saddle/piezo pickup) or a full blown electric, you're going to enjoy the journey.
Not to downplay UU but there is a great deal of info at http://www.cigarboxnation.com, definitely worth a look. That site is dedicated to unconventional stringed instruments of all sorts. (Fretless three string electric guitar made from an aluminium pole, anyone?)
For myself, my own build is decidely ghetto but looking through the picture gallery on the above site gave me lots of ideas for this decidedly unconventional instrument.
If you're interested in what I've done with my own build, I have detailed some of my own build here
Happy to share what I've learned. One thing I will say though is decide what scale you're building, If you don't know what I mean by that, then you're at the same place I was about three weeks ago.
Good luck.
E.E.
thistle3585
Well-known member
I would highly recommend reading Melvyn Hiscocks book "Make your own electric guitar." In effect, you are building a small electric guitar and his book covers instrument design, construction, setup and basic electronics. He also describes several different approaches to the same task. It has lots of detailed photos too. Its the best tool I ever bought for my shop.
cornfedgroove
Well-known member
you're definitely better off going here http://handmademusic.ning.com/ rather than cbnation.
cbnation used to be premier, but is now more into sales and mainstreaming rather than instruction. Go to http://handmademusic.ning.com/ scroll down a bit and ask you question in live chat...old timers there save you all kinds of trouble trying to sort through annoying forums. BTW these are the exact same people that made cbnation premier, they are great guys and great builders...hordes of experience and ingenuity.
trust me...I'm not wrong about this.
cbnation used to be premier, but is now more into sales and mainstreaming rather than instruction. Go to http://handmademusic.ning.com/ scroll down a bit and ask you question in live chat...old timers there save you all kinds of trouble trying to sort through annoying forums. BTW these are the exact same people that made cbnation premier, they are great guys and great builders...hordes of experience and ingenuity.
trust me...I'm not wrong about this.
Pete Howlett
Well-known member
eepunk
Member
eepunk
Member
Any electric guitar pickup should do the trick. As long as your planning on steel strings.
If you're looking for an eleuke style, looking at he pictures they don't seem to have any obvious pickup, so go for the piezo and use whatever you like for strings. The Shadow style of undersaddle piezos might be your best bet (comparitively pricey though).
E.E.
thistle3585
Well-known member
You might also look at the Ghost system by GraphTech. You can use it in conjunction with a hardtail or tune o matic bridge.
