Steel String

Although I'm sure many of you will hate me for this, I really want to build a steel string electric ukulele this summer. I really like the sound of it; however, I don't like the price.

The problem is, I don't really know what I'm doing. I know I need to use magnetic pickups but I don't know specifics (active vs. passive, etc.) Also would a mainland neck be able to stand the pressure of the steel strings and what should the body be made of and where can I find a body or materials for one. Finally how could I wire the pickup into the body with volume and tone knobs.

Would it be possible to modify a small electric guitar?

Again, I would appreciate any insight, even if it's to tell me I am nuts.

You're not nuts. You can get everything you need here in kit form. The scale of the mandolin is the same as a soprano uke, the mandola is close to a concert uke. Tune these instruments in GCEA and you've got yourself an electric ukulele.

Thanks a lot mzuch, I'll look into that, it seems really doable for me.

http://www.sagamusic.com/catalog/products.aspx?CategoryID=4&FamilyID=3&BrandID=131

What do you think of this in comparison to the moongazers, the price is significantly lower so I would like to know the difference,

If you dig through the Moongazer site you see that it's possible to order all the parts separately too. By ordering a body blank you could shape it like a uke instead of a mandolin. Very cool!

I wish I could do that but I am don't own a saw

A ten dollar coping saw and some sand paper will do it...it is the long way, but it will work

A steel string ukulele is a cavaquinho.