Ukulele Building Video...

Pete Howlett

Pete Howlett

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After the many requests to do this and the advent of my new camera I have decided to bite the bullet and make a comprehensive video - probably 2 - 3 hour on building a tenor ukulele in koa. If you have any ideas of what you want to see on the video please post suggestions here or pm me. It won't be a slick production - I can't afford the cost - but it will be like my YouTube stuff with more detail. I intend the first section to deal with tools and form/jig making. Next is wood selection and preparation. After that, hand bending, bracing and body assembly... you get the picture, a step by step how to do. Because I want this to be accessible to all the main build will be unbound. However I intend to do a 'bonus' section on specialist tools, binding and spray finishing. Included will be a brief instruction booklet mainly listing tools and suppliers and a full-size plan.

So the $64K questions:
Who wants to buy this and what price are you willing to pay bearing in mind it is not going to be 'professionally' shot and directed?
 
To give you a frame of reference on price, I recently purchased a 4-disc DVD set from the luthierforum site that followed a complete guitar build, including the making of jigs (made by Nelson Guitars). I think I paid about $65 US which included shipping. That was an introductory price....I think the regular price was going to be about twice that.
 
Pete Howlett said:
Constructive - I was thinking about $59...
Click to expand...

The Stew Mac kit video (109 minutes) is about $40, and is nowhere near as informative as I imagine yours would be.

$59 sounds good to me for a 2-3 hour video.
 
I'd buy one in a second! And $59 sounds about perfect.
 
I'd suggest that you initially offer the video for a low, introductory price of $19 or $29 in order to grease the skids for a limited time. Once you have collected some raves from customers that you can use in marketing, raise it to the full price of $49 to $59.
 
With over 100 vids in the public domain I feel I have given away over 300 hours of experience already!
 
Pete Howlett said:
With over 100 vids in the public domain I feel I have given away over 300 hours of experience already!
Click to expand...

Yes you have - quiet a lot of work you've shared. But, for a collected set as you describe, I'd probably fork over $50 or so to have it all in one place & easily accessible.
 
I'ld like to see some good detail spent on jig making. Most of the sources i've come across always seem to slide on the jigging process.
 
It will be all new footage, not a collated set of my YouTube vids. Yes I will show you how to build some jigs - to do them all would be a separate video...
 
Hey Pete, Great Idea. Put me on the list! Speaking of that, what about a pre-pay discount. Or no discount, but as a perk for prepay some kind of online design, plans, jigs access--stuff that might be the prequel to Video #2 as you mentioned above. I'll send you $$$ now...still mourning the cancelled US tour. Bet you that the video would be also be a great promo for an "advanced" U.S. workshop tour! Whatever you do, I certainly feel fortunate to have seen the video you've posted already for free. Thanks
 
Yes, for a 2-3 hour video by you Pete I'd pay the 60 bucks for sure... when I can scrape it up. Your videos are top notch, glitz is overrated. I'd like to see a few safety tips here and there, definitely details about all the jigs you can throw in.
 
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People do expect a lot of things for free now that the internet has made it so. However, I have bought several how-to videos and books in the last ten years. When I wanted to learn to weld, I watched almost everything there is on YouTube on the topic. The problem was that material was scattered and often not very good. So, I bought several books and then some videos. Several of the videos cost in the $30 range, but they were often less than an hour long. When I started building bicycles, I didn't buy any videos, but I did buy several books and some plans, even after reading and watching all the free stuff online. I don't know anyone that is getting rich off these, but it helps pay the bills, I assume.

Those of us who dream of building a uke have been blessed with the generosity of guys like Pete, TimBuck and Dave G, among others who have shared so freely. I am not in the market for a how-to video right now, but I think Pete's price is very reasonable for the amount of material he plans to include. Just a book like Cumpiano's is close to $30 retail, but I gladly bought it.
 
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Having it as a comprehensive set would add value. It is a pain to have to remember where you saw a particular detail or technique. I would be interested in purchasing a copy.
 
As I am laid up with a trapped nerve in my neck I am writing the script. First section on tools and jigs nearly done, start shooting next week.
 
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