nozzle
Active member
Hey all. I'm thinking of buying a grizzly kit. Okay I'm not. I've thought about it and I'm buying a grizzly kit. I want one that I can build myself and sort of use as a beater if you know what I mean. I'm fairly handy but, have never built an instrument before. Getting the action and intonation right seems to be a real challenge. I have scoured the board here and haven't really found the answers, in fact I think I now have more questions. I'm just going to list those and hope someone has some answers for me.
1. I have a Kala Ukedelic. It sounds pretty tinny and not a lot of resonance ( I think it's the finish) but, what really bugs me is the first fret. The distance between the first fret and the nut is actually about a third smaller than the distance between the second fret and the first. This is annoying as I have fairly long fingers and trying to cram them in there for a Dm7 or E6 is a bitch. I've seen several videos where the intonation was off on a uke or guitar and they essentially moved the nut closer by widening it or adding a peace infront of this. How do I avoid doing this?
2. Lots of discussion on whether to glue the saddle on before or after finishing. It seems easier to finish if the saddle isn't in your way. However I don't want to measure for the saddle finish it glue the thing in i's spot and find out the intonation is off because, well I got it wrong. Is it possible to clamp the thing in place set the nut in place then string it and check for intonation? Once I have it perfect then mark it and tape the spit off? If so I think I know how I would go about it but, would like some input if you have any suggestions.
3. Finishing. This doesn't need to look like the Mona Lisa or anything but, I do want it to look nice. I really don't want to do the whole french polish thing. Would a plain old (when I say plain old I mean a decent) urethane work on it, with a clear coat or two over it to keep it safe and shiny?
I've built some furniture and stuff and did fairly well but, most people don't care how the furniture sounds when your done. This is my very first attempt at building an instrument. I figured a kit was the way to go and with the price of the Grizzly kits I don't have to feel guilty over wasting money if it turns out like complete crap.
Thanks for reading I know this is a little extensive but, I like to get my ducks in a row before I start shooting (saves on ammo):drool:
1. I have a Kala Ukedelic. It sounds pretty tinny and not a lot of resonance ( I think it's the finish) but, what really bugs me is the first fret. The distance between the first fret and the nut is actually about a third smaller than the distance between the second fret and the first. This is annoying as I have fairly long fingers and trying to cram them in there for a Dm7 or E6 is a bitch. I've seen several videos where the intonation was off on a uke or guitar and they essentially moved the nut closer by widening it or adding a peace infront of this. How do I avoid doing this?
2. Lots of discussion on whether to glue the saddle on before or after finishing. It seems easier to finish if the saddle isn't in your way. However I don't want to measure for the saddle finish it glue the thing in i's spot and find out the intonation is off because, well I got it wrong. Is it possible to clamp the thing in place set the nut in place then string it and check for intonation? Once I have it perfect then mark it and tape the spit off? If so I think I know how I would go about it but, would like some input if you have any suggestions.
3. Finishing. This doesn't need to look like the Mona Lisa or anything but, I do want it to look nice. I really don't want to do the whole french polish thing. Would a plain old (when I say plain old I mean a decent) urethane work on it, with a clear coat or two over it to keep it safe and shiny?
I've built some furniture and stuff and did fairly well but, most people don't care how the furniture sounds when your done. This is my very first attempt at building an instrument. I figured a kit was the way to go and with the price of the Grizzly kits I don't have to feel guilty over wasting money if it turns out like complete crap.
Thanks for reading I know this is a little extensive but, I like to get my ducks in a row before I start shooting (saves on ammo):drool: