beatlloydy
Active member
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2013
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Hi,
Before I start I must confess to having zero woodworking skills so I will not so much be building a uke but rather putting one together from parts I will purchase. Last week I assembled a Wolfelele and based on the parts from that kit there isnt a great deal to it so I think I can perhaps do something similar based on parts I like to match the shape/colour I want.
What I want to build is a Tenor Uke and about to purchase the neck/fretboard (26"), Bridge, nut, saddle and tuning pegs to suit. For the body I plan to use a Cigar box which is almost identical in height to the neck. (there may be about 2mm which I can sand down to match).
My concern is, is there an exact formula to length. The cigar box is approx 8 and 1/4" long? Will that be too short to make the correct intonation. I plan to put the Aquila Nylgut strings on it.
Sorry, for the lack of technical ability but I guess I have to start somewhere.
Also, rather than a centrally mounted soundhole I plan to put 4 small (1/2") brass screen holes in (one in each corner) as well as a pickup/tuner
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Acoustic...670?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f1a60caee
I have noticed a lot of pictures of Ukes without the soundhole centrally located so I am guessing that the sound is produced by a combination of the strings and the vibration passed through the body. I dont care if its not overly loud acoustically as I can then play it unplugged at night..and when I need extra sound I can plug it into an amp.
Are there any major flaws to my thinking? I am not aiming to obtain the sweetest sounding uke at first attempt...I will just be glad if it is playable. All up cost is only going to be around $100
Cheers
Michael
Before I start I must confess to having zero woodworking skills so I will not so much be building a uke but rather putting one together from parts I will purchase. Last week I assembled a Wolfelele and based on the parts from that kit there isnt a great deal to it so I think I can perhaps do something similar based on parts I like to match the shape/colour I want.
What I want to build is a Tenor Uke and about to purchase the neck/fretboard (26"), Bridge, nut, saddle and tuning pegs to suit. For the body I plan to use a Cigar box which is almost identical in height to the neck. (there may be about 2mm which I can sand down to match).
My concern is, is there an exact formula to length. The cigar box is approx 8 and 1/4" long? Will that be too short to make the correct intonation. I plan to put the Aquila Nylgut strings on it.
Sorry, for the lack of technical ability but I guess I have to start somewhere.
Also, rather than a centrally mounted soundhole I plan to put 4 small (1/2") brass screen holes in (one in each corner) as well as a pickup/tuner
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Acoustic...670?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f1a60caee
I have noticed a lot of pictures of Ukes without the soundhole centrally located so I am guessing that the sound is produced by a combination of the strings and the vibration passed through the body. I dont care if its not overly loud acoustically as I can then play it unplugged at night..and when I need extra sound I can plug it into an amp.
Are there any major flaws to my thinking? I am not aiming to obtain the sweetest sounding uke at first attempt...I will just be glad if it is playable. All up cost is only going to be around $100
Cheers
Michael