Hello everyone. I am making a set of three tahitian ukes this time. I'm trying some new things in hopes of getting a better sound each time.
Type of wood... When I look at the Tahitian ukes I have bought in the past, it seems like they are all built of pine, fir, etc... I guess that many guys buy this wood as it is easily found at the hardware stores and cheap. But maybe there is something beyond this? So I chose a softer wood in poplar and will see the results soon enough. It's really difficult to carve, but maybe the sound will make it worth it. Any thoughts.
Weight... I also compared the weight of Tahitian ukes I have bought with the ones I have made. I made from mahagony and mine are always considerably heavier. The poplar I am carving now is so much lighter than the mahagony. And even though my tahitian ukes are bigger than the ones I have purchased, I have about the same weight. So I 'think' the weight change will also help. Thoughts?
I'm also experimenting with a much larger sound box. I am carving a deep as possible and removing a lot of wood. I plan to also slim down the sound box cover. I think the sound box cover of my last uke was a little too thick. Anyone have an idea of the exact measurement I should go for?
Just a couple more questions... I am thinking the movable bridge that rests on the soundbox cover should be a small as possible to allow the cover to vibrate more. Is that correct? My last uke, I carved a pretty cool bridge from bone, but now that i think about it, it was probably too wide and heavy for the best possible sound. You think a bone or wood bridge will be better?
Lastly, a local uke store is asking me about prices. Assuming my sound is quality, what would you think my ukes are worth. I've looked around and cant find anything to compare to.
Thanks and here are some pics of the set.
Type of wood... When I look at the Tahitian ukes I have bought in the past, it seems like they are all built of pine, fir, etc... I guess that many guys buy this wood as it is easily found at the hardware stores and cheap. But maybe there is something beyond this? So I chose a softer wood in poplar and will see the results soon enough. It's really difficult to carve, but maybe the sound will make it worth it. Any thoughts.
Weight... I also compared the weight of Tahitian ukes I have bought with the ones I have made. I made from mahagony and mine are always considerably heavier. The poplar I am carving now is so much lighter than the mahagony. And even though my tahitian ukes are bigger than the ones I have purchased, I have about the same weight. So I 'think' the weight change will also help. Thoughts?
I'm also experimenting with a much larger sound box. I am carving a deep as possible and removing a lot of wood. I plan to also slim down the sound box cover. I think the sound box cover of my last uke was a little too thick. Anyone have an idea of the exact measurement I should go for?
Just a couple more questions... I am thinking the movable bridge that rests on the soundbox cover should be a small as possible to allow the cover to vibrate more. Is that correct? My last uke, I carved a pretty cool bridge from bone, but now that i think about it, it was probably too wide and heavy for the best possible sound. You think a bone or wood bridge will be better?
Lastly, a local uke store is asking me about prices. Assuming my sound is quality, what would you think my ukes are worth. I've looked around and cant find anything to compare to.
Thanks and here are some pics of the set.