My first Uke

[architect _fnq]

Good evening
I am a newby to the site from Australia.
I have built several guitars over the years but this is my first Uke.
It is my interpretation of a Harp Ukulele (Tenor).
Made from scraps of Australian Blackwood (Acacia) and Australian Maple (Flindersia pimentalis) that I had lying around.
It has whet my appetite, and am currently building a few standard Tenors and an archtop Tenor.
Please be gentle on me and kindest regards.... David

 

[ploverwing]

Well you certainly chose a complex build for your first ukulele! Wow! That really is something else!

Welcome to the UU forums and thanks for taking the time to say hi. Definitely interested in seeing your next builds!!

 

[Quad57]

Welcome, David. That's beautiful work, with lots of lovely design touches. I'll be eager to see your tenors.

 

[Mike $]

That's a really cool looking uke. I'd love to hear how it sounds. Welcome and have fun!

 

[LaSignoraMusica]

Good evening
I am a newby to the site from Australia.
I have built several guitars over the years but this is my first Uke.
It is my interpretation of a Harp Ukulele (Tenor).
Made from scraps of Australian Blackwood (Acacia) and Australian Maple (Flindersia pimentalis) that I had lying around.
It has whet my appetite, and am currently building a few standard Tenors and an archtop Tenor.
Please be gentle on me and kindest regards.... David

Wow, wow and wow! This looks so nice! I have a little harp and several ukes, and I have seen several Harp ukuleles coming along online, but this one is indeed something else! I am very curious about the sound…

 

[Ukelori]

Very nice, looks like something Gracie Terzian uses in her videos.

 

[HappyTurtle]

Wow! now that’s art.

 

[Rosalei]

Amazing I've never seen anything like that. Is it possible to share a video showing how you play it and how it sounds? I'm so curious

 

[bacchettadavid]

Beautiful harp ‘ukulele! Greetings from Florida.

Visually, your design succeeds. I especially love the cubist aesthetic of the harp elements and incorporation of the elongate headstock.

I hope you’ll continue to share your work here. I look forward to seeing your archtop ‘ukulele.

 

[Ms Bean]

Welcome to UU, David!

That's a really attractive harp ukulele you've built. I hope we'll see more of your builds!

 

[architect _fnq]

Amazing I've never seen anything like that. Is it possible to share a video showing how you play it and how it sounds? I'm so curious

Rosalie
To be brutally honest with you, I can't play a note.
I own about 15 guitars and am making several ukes but as I said, I can't play any of them.
I am a retired landscape architect so I am more interested in the design. I play around a lot with bracing patterns etc.
Fortunately I have several friends/brothers who play so I keep them supplied with new toys.
About the sound, the feedback I have received has been very favourable.
Kind regards.... David

 

[architect _fnq]

Beautiful harp ‘ukulele! Greetings from Florida.

Visually, your design succeeds. I especially love the cubist aesthetic of the harp elements and incorporation of the elongate headstock.

I hope you’ll continue to share your work here. I look forward to seeing your archtop ‘ukulele.

Bacchettadavid.
I do not like the look of traditional harp/ukuleles/guitars as to me they always look out of balance/top heavy.
I was also trying to accentuate the look of the "arm" (?) of a harp being separate from the body.
I also do not like that the two bodies are quite separate in the tradtional harp/ukuleles.
In my design I joined the two bodies at the top of the headpiece using two carbon fibre rods and tried to make the arm of the harp a feature. Refer the attached photo.
I know that this is against the rules but you never get anwhere without breaking them.
Kind regards.... David

 

[Rosalei]

Rosalie
To be brutally honest with you, I can't play a note.
I own about 15 guitars and am making several ukes but as I said, I can't play any of them.
I am a retired landscape architect so I am more interested in the design. I play around a lot with bracing patterns etc.
Fortunately I have several friends/brothers who play so I keep them supplied with new toys.
About the sound, the feedback I have received has been very favourable.
Kind regards.... David

Oh wow they must love trying out your creations . It sure looks beautiful

 

[PTRarch.]

To be brutally honest with you, I can't play a note.
...
I am a retired landscape architect so I am more interested in the design.

I like that! Even more impressive...
Welcome to the UU.

 

[architect _fnq]

My second uke. It is an archtop carved out of western red cedar (top) and Queensland maple (Flindersia pimentalis) back and sides.
Tailpiece and bridge are ebony. The original top and back (one piece) wood was 19mm thick so there is a lot more relief than the photos show.
I left the top quite thick (3.5 approx) but with no bracing top and back. I tune it to d g b e tuning as to my ears most archtops (guitars that I have ) are a bit "toppy" , The sound is very strong and balanced.
Kind regards.... David

 

[bacchettadavid]

My second uke. It is an archtop carved out of western red cedar (top) and Queensland maple (Flindersia pimentalis) back and sides.
Tailpiece and bridge are ebony. The original top and back (one piece) wood was 19mm thick so there is a lot more relief than the photos show.
I left the top quite thick (3.5 approx) but with no bracing top and back. I tune it to d g b e tuning as to my ears most archtops (guitars that I have ) are a bit "toppy" , The sound is very strong and balanced.
Kind regards.... David

I ADORE your second instrument! Bravo!

 

[OhioBelle]

I love the unified color scheme with the dark binding on the honey colored wood. Even the tuners echo the theme. Beautiful!

 

[ploverwing]

I ADORE your second instrument! Bravo!

Yes. I would love to hear what that sounds like. It's a beautiful instrument, too.