Alder for uke making

Has anyone used alder wood for uke making. Or is it too soft?

I've built a few from alder and it is a bit soft. You have to evaluate the pieces and think about the bracing. I like it for necks because it carves wonderfully, but I reinforce them in various ways.

Yes - it's great. Will Grove White of the UOGB gigs out with an alder soprano I built as an experiment. There are different densities of alder depending where it is grown and harvested. Juha Lottonen from Finland uses it a lot. I use the English variety for necks - carves and finishes great plus it can cross borders and is cost effective Highly recommended - British variety often has subtle flame in it.

Thanks, I can get it from the hardwood supplier but they can't get it quarter sawn. It is nice looking though. Maybe I could pick thru the pile and find something suitable.

For a good neck you can laminate two flatsawn pieces together, and that is a good opportunity to add a pinstripe of a dark veneer. Gives you a great centerline.