Weird 1970's Northern JCD Uke

[necessaryrooster]

Browsing Reverb and saw this listing: https://reverb.com/item/48573224-northern-jcd-2-1970s-concert-ukulele

What's the deal with the way they've done the strings on the headstock? Is that just an aesthetic thing or will that have an effect on the sound somehow? Also, no bridge?

Almost want to buy this thing just because of how weird it is.

 

[BigJackBrass]

If I remember correctly, the strings thread through the headstock in order to compensate for it being quite flat to the neck. Haven't seen one in person, merely read about them.

 

[Timbuck]

It's a ukulele designed by J. Charlmers Doane...the Guy who taught James Hill.

J. Chalmers Doane, godfather of Canadian ukulele education

A two-part interview with the godfather of Canadian ukulele education, J. Chalmers Doane, sharing the story of how he developed his approach to teaching using the ukulele.

www.uketropolis.com

 

[BradDonaldson]

The strings through the peghead are designed for a straight peghead with a zero nut.

 

[sequoia]

It's a ukulele designed by J. Charlmers Doane...the Guy who taught James Hill.

J. Chalmers Doane, godfather of Canadian ukulele education

A two-part interview with the godfather of Canadian ukulele education, J. Chalmers Doane, sharing the story of how he developed his approach to teaching using the ukulele.

www.uketropolis.com

Very interesting. Do you have a link to part 2 of the interview Ken?

 

[Tom Snape]

Another article about the Northern Ukes
http://www.vintageukemusic.com/ukul...fsrJw3V796r-zBjmVwaqECJ7BGt2cCyVetFoG2pzjvCrc

 

[Pete Howlett]

Time for John Coulter to step up - he's made one of these...

 

[Wiggy]

The design must have been a fluke.

 

[VegasGeorge]

I think the strings through the peghead idea is for cheaper construction. I read that it is one a many Ukes made for a Canadian school program. That explains why cheap is a consideration. Strings need to leave the nut at an angle on their way to the tuners. That's why pegheads are normally angled down. But, it is probably cheaper and quicker to build a peghead straight and level with the neck. So, in order to get the strings angled down, they pass them through the peghead, then back up to the tuners. Ingenious!

 

[badhabits]

I think the strings through the peghead idea is for cheaper construction. I read that it is one a many Ukes made for a Canadian school program. That explains why cheap is a consideration. Strings need to leave the nut at an angle on their way to the tuners. That's why pegheads are normally angled down. But, it is probably cheaper and quicker to build a peghead straight and level with the neck. So, in order to get the strings angled down, they pass them through the peghead, then back up to the tuners. Ingenious!

This...if you want it get it, those don't come up very often.

 

[BradDonaldson]

Some years ago, when I was a vendor at the Gorge Ukulele Festival sponsored by Mya-Moe, the Langley Ukulele Ensemble with Peter Luongo, came down and entertained the participants. It was a fantastic and humbling experience. Many of the kids were playing Northern ukuleles. I borrowed largely from that design for my Youthalele project.

 

[Timbuck]

Very interesting. Do you have a link to part 2 of the interview Ken?

Part 2 here ... https://www.uketropolis.com/blog/the-godfather-of-canadian-ukulele-j-chalmers-doane-part-two

in the video I like the way most of the girls don't look at the fretboards while playing with their main attention to the conductor.

 

[Jerryc41]

It's a ukulele designed by J. Charlmers Doane...the Guy who taught James Hill.

J. Chalmers Doane, godfather of Canadian ukulele education

A two-part interview with the godfather of Canadian ukulele education, J. Chalmers Doane, sharing the story of how he developed his approach to teaching using the ukulele.

www.uketropolis.com

When I saw the maple leaf on top, that's what I thought. I think he had several simple, easy-to-build designs.