Pineapple/Boat Paddle

[Mike $]

Getting ready to make a soprano boat paddle uke. I'm kind of going in blind since having never played one before and am wondering, from a building standpoint, are there any unexpected challenges with this shape? It seems pretty basic and like a normal soprano but with one less bend per side.. The uke will be mahogany with an ebony fretboard and bridge. I am assuming the bracing to be the same as my figure 8 uke - ladder bracing for the back and a brace on each side of the sound-hole with a bridge plate for the top. Kerfing connecting top and back to the sides. It will have a Spanish heel and the neck will also have a scarf joint. The sides will taper from 3 inches at the butt end to 2.75 inches at the heel.

Any warnings or advice? Thanks

 

[Tom Snape]

Getting ready to make a soprano boat paddle uke. I'm kind of going in blind since having never played one before and am wondering, from a building standpoint, are there any unexpected challenges with this shape? It seems pretty basic and like a normal soprano but with one less bend per side.. The uke will be mahogany with an ebony fretboard and bridge. I am assuming the bracing to be the same as my figure 8 uke - ladder bracing for the back and a brace on each side of the sound-hole with a bridge plate for the top. Kerfing connecting top and back to the sides. It will have a Spanish heel and the neck will also have a scarf joint. The sides will taper from 3 inches at the butt end to 2.75 inches at the heel.

Any warnings or advice? Thanks

Not really advice; but check out the "Paddlelele" from Joel Eckhaus. He says the neck and sides are one piece of ash, with the top and back glued on.

Paddlelele Concert Uke | Earnest Instruments

 

[BradDonaldson]

It seems to me that the depth of the sides are more appropriate for a tenor, rather than a soprano. Most boat paddle or pineapple designs already increase the interior volume, this may be somewhat extreme.
Brad

 

[BradDonaldson]

Hey Mike, those numbers would be very much in line with modern soprano dimensions.
Brad