Hi folks - I created the Bytown Ukuleles Artist Palette Tenor Ukulele, so I may be a bit biased, but here’s some information on the instrument.
I considered making it out of solid wood, but ended up deciding on using a laminated veneer because I wanted the figure of rotary-cut maple with the stability that only a quarter sawn maple would provide, but I didn’t want the ribbon grain. The plates were thickness to .068” and then lightly braced for stiffness. The beech neck does continue through the body of the uke similar to a coordinator rod that a banjo has, but is made to look like the continuous handle of a paint brush. And where is exits the bottom of the uke, you can either hang up the instrument as you would a paint brush or use it as a “strap button”. It is glued to the neck & heel block and the pegging on the back is purely decorative. The neck does not interfere with the top or back in any way.
The finish is 6 coats of “Tru-Oil” buffed up to a satin sheen and the interior has been blackened out with Black NGR stain for contrast. A palette knife and brush were used to add colour splashes of acrylic paint which did not affect the before and after tone/playability of the uke.
A sound post was added at the front of the bridge to correct a small belly in the top, which after it was installed, actually improved the tone & sound quality. In future versions of this uke, I will use an “X” brace instead of ladder bracing to eliminate this problem as well as doing a solid wood version.
This ukulele is playable. It has a bright, perky sound and is lots of fun to play given its funky appearance. It has been described as having a “pleasing sound” with “warmer mando/banjo tones”. This uke has had lots of play time at our local monthly ukulele jams and I’ll miss having it around. It sold yesterday to a local collector (at a negotiated price).
Thanks for the comments. We love getting feedback.
Mark