Drilling On My Flight TUS-35

[Bill Sheehan]

I've been thinking about installing a disc-style passive "transducer" pickup inside my Flight TUS-35. I've done similar installations a few times before with other ukes, but I'm a little bit concerned about whether the Flight's internal plastic bracing system might present any obstacles to drilling for the input jack. I'd like to put the input jack on the back bout of the uke, where you might expect, but it looks like the internal plastic bracing at that location (for the sides of the uke) might have a "ribbed" pattern that could make it difficult to drill through there...

 

[Ziret]

I've been thinking about installing a disc-style passive "transducer" pickup inside my Flight TUS-35. I've done similar installations a few times before with other ukes, but I'm a little bit concerned about whether the Flight's internal plastic bracing system might present any obstacles to drilling for the input jack. I'd like to put the input jack on the back bout of the uke, where you might expect, but it looks like the internal plastic bracing at that location (for the sides of the uke) might have a "ribbed" pattern that could make it difficult to drill through there...

I wish I could look at one and see what you’re talking about, but I’ve put strap buttons on in that general location on two (that I no longer have) with no issues. Which doesn’t guarantee it will work for you, but may give you confidence. Good luck, Bill

 

[Wiggy]

Get an angled inspection mirror and look inside.

<edit> Amazon: $8.49
Ullman Devices HTC-2 High-Tech Telescoping Inspection Mirror, 2-1/4" Diameter, 6-1/2" to 36-3/8" Length

 

[Bill Sheehan]

I wish I could look at one and see what you’re talking about, but I’ve put strap buttons on in that general location on two (that I no longer have) with no issues. Which doesn’t guarantee it will work for you, but may give you confidence. Good luck, Bill

Thank you, Z !! For the time being, I've kinda "tabled" the idea, as I'm now considering putting the pickup in my old Ohana SK-50MG (soprano with cedar top and flamed mahogany sides and back), and I'm pretty confident it'll work fine in that application! T H A N K S ! ! !

 

[Bill Sheehan]

Get an angled inspection (dental type) mirror and look inside.

Thank you, Wiggy. There have been many times I could have used one of those; I'll definitely consider grabbing one at Walgreens next time I'm over there buying Cheetos!

 

[badhabits]

Baz's review shows the inside, and fwiw I had one with the strap button pretty crooked and it seemed attached pretty solidly.

 

[Wiggy]

Same here badhabits. On my TUS55-MNG, the bottom button was off center and crooked. I purchased it from Uke Replublic. They obviously didn't inspect it before ship. I won't hold that against them though, as it was not an "esoteric" model.

I thought about redrilling it properly, but that would only make it worse. No matter. Once the strap is on you can't tell. I went ahead and bought another in Amura laminate to use in a different tuning. They sound identical - just look different, so I can tell them apart.

I do like the way they play. The zero fret factory setup was excellent on both. They are a bit rowdy sounding - more like a spruce than mahogany top. That's their character.

 

[badhabits]

Same here badhabits. On my TUS55-MNG, the bottom button was off center and crooked. I purchased it from Uke Replublic. They obviously didn't inspect it before ship. I won't hold that against them though, as it was not an "esoteric" model.

I thought about redrilling it properly, but that would only make it worse. No matter. Once the strap is on you can't tell. I went ahead and bought another in Amura laminate to use in a different tuning. They sound identical - just look different, so I can tell them apart.

I do like the way they play. The zero fret factory setup was excellent on both. They are a bit rowdy sounding - more like a spruce than mahogany top. That's their character.

I think those models are the best looking ones, the plain wood veneers....just not into the painted tops and influencer models. FYI, according to an interview w Juliana on ultp a full carbon, metal fret soprano version is coming next year.