My first build

[AstroEd42]

This is a Tenor Ukulele that I built for my son-in-law, he's a guitarist. It was quite a learning experience. Without the knowledge gained on this forum, I would have never got it done. The neck is carved from ! piece of Mahogany, the Fretboard is Ebony. The soundboard is Torrefied Sitka, the sides are Mahogany and Flame maple bindings. The Headstock has a burl maple veneer, and the back is Fancy Mahogany. I hope he likes it. I chose the woods I did to match a new Martin guitar he has. Thanks everyone for the help and inspiration you've given me. Must get another one started now.
Ed

 

[John Colter]

That looks a superb effort, Ed! Congratulations, I'm sure the lucky recipient will be delighted.

 

[AstroEd42]

That looks a superb effort, Ed! Congratulations, I'm sure the lucky recipient will be delighted.

Thank you John, it sure was a fun project.
Ed

 

[captain-janeway]

Really nice. I like the grain on the back

 

[AstroEd42]

Thank you,. The sides were supposed to be fancy Mahogany also, but I cracked one when I was bending them. I couldn't afford to buy a new set. In a way it was good I cracked one. I learned an expensive lesson.

 

[sequoia]

Looks great! Now build another one for yourself.

 

[AstroEd42]

Looks great! Now build another one for yourself.

I already have another Tenor started. It won't be for me, I'm not a musician.

 

[Timbuck]

Thats a lot better than my first half dozen builds, I scrapped quite a few before my first almost playable one was completed. (still have it hanging on the wall just to remind me)

 

[AstroEd42]

Thank you Ken. Coming from you, that is quite a complement. I learned a lot following you and others on the forum. I watched and re-watched all of your YouTube videos. A wealth of knowledge there. You've contributed a lot to the forum. The one thing you have that I would die for is a milling machine. In the 80's I had a chance to get one for just the $300 freight, but the local power company wouldn't run 3 phase to my house unless I guaranteed them to use so much HP. A 2 phase converter was to expensive. It's the only thing I missed upon retiring.
Thanks again
Ed

 

[AstroEd42]

That's a beautiful uke. I would love to hear it.

Thanks Mike, I would like to hear it played also. I don't play. I only picked it enough to tune it. When My son-in-law plays it I will get to hear it. The jury is still out.
Ed

 

[Timbuck]

Thank you Ken. Coming from you, that is quite a complement. I learned a lot following you and others on the forum. I watched and re-watched all of your YouTube videos. A wealth of knowledge there. You've contributed a lot to the forum. The one thing you have that I would die for is a milling machine. In the 80's I had a chance to get one for just the $300 freight, but the local power company wouldn't run 3 phase to my house unless I guaranteed them to use so much HP. A 2 phase converter was to expensive. It's the only thing I missed upon retiring.
Thanks again
Ed

My milling machine is just a ancient cast iron Kerry bench drill...I bought a cheap milling XY table for it on eBay and fitted a machine vice to it.

 

[AstroEd42]

My milling machine is just a ancient cast iron Kerry bench drill...I bought a cheap milling XY table for it on eBay and fitted a machine vice to it.

It's getting the job done, that's what's important. That's a good Idea. It's what I would like, to be able to make fixtures like you do. Wood doesn't cut it for some things.
Ed

 

[Sporky]

Impressive work, that's a cool looking ukulele. Congratulations

 

[AstroEd42]

Impressive work, that's a cool looking ukulele. Congratulations

Thank you. My son-in-law loved it, and played it for me. I am not a musician and don't play any instruments. To hear music from an instrument that I made was a very happy moment for me.
Ed

 

[achutch3]

Love it. Very nice!

 

[sequoia]

To hear music from an instrument that I made was a very happy moment for me.
Ed

Hey Ed, it's a lot more fun to actually play the instrument you built. This would be a great time to take up ukulele playing. It's not hard which is the beauty of the ukulele. You don't actually have to be a musician to make music which is like saying I like to see people ride bicycles but I don't actually ride a bicycle myself. Three chords learned and you are off!

 

[AstroEd42]

Hey Ed, it's a lot more fun to actually play the instrument you built. This would be a great time to take up ukulele playing. It's not hard which is the beauty of the ukulele. You don't actually have to be a musician to make music which is like saying I like to see people ride bicycles but I don't actually ride a bicycle myself. Three chords learned and you are off!

It's difficult making an instrument not knowing how to play. But it's not in the cards for me. Attempts in the past have been horrible failures. My dad used to say I should play tenor, and solo. "Ten or 15 miles away, and so low we don't hear you. And you should be on stage, there's one leaving at 3 oclock". Sadly he was right.
Ed

 

[don_b]

What a father-in-law you are

 

[AstroEd42]

What a father-in-law you are

Thank you. It's easy, he's a great guy.
Ed