Uke design pet peeves

[TerryM]

I like the asymmetrical look of cutaways but don't like ones where the transition from neck to body doesn't integrate smoothly. Seems like a missed chance for a nice look.

This ↓


vs this ↓

 

[Ukecaster]

Here's what I mean about using the same size bridge on all models. On left is Kala Elite soprano, on right is their tenor.

 

[Ziret]

Except the bridge itself!

But seriously, both times I had bridges pop off, they were tie bar style.
[/QUOTE]
Twice, huh? I stand corrected!

 

[BuzzBD]

I like the asymmetrical look of cutaways but don't like ones where the transition from neck to body doesn't integrate smoothly. Seems like a missed chance for a nice look.

This ↓
View attachment 153029

vs this ↓
View attachment 153030

They both look very contrived to me. If you take the neck heel from the second example, you can carry the side right to the edge of the neck heel and lose the awkward square joints.

 

[Mercury59]

Slotted headstocks.

I know a lot of people love them, and the very streamlined ones they put on high-end ukes can look good, but imo on a lot of cheaper ukuleles they’re too chunky and look ridiculous. Particularly on the smaller sizes. Seems to me that it’s just a pointless attempt to bolt guitar-like features onto a ukulele. Also, I’ve only had one uke with a slotted headstock and it made string changes a complete PITA.

They only work for tenors and baritones.

 

[RosieKamozie]

I only play soprano/concert size so with that in mind my pet peeves: rabbit ear tuners, slotted headstocks, off-kilter or randomly place sound holes

 

[ripock]

I skimmed thru the thread again and I noticed something. I have bespoken a custom baritone and 3 or 4 of the attributes I requested have been excoriated in this thread.

 

[Renaissance-Man]

I skimmed thru the thread again and I noticed something. I have bespoken a custom baritone and 3 or 4 of the attributes I requested have been excoriated in this thread.

Well, yes. If you aggregate opinions, you're bound to have collected a few that differ from yours. They're opinions, not absolutes.

For grins, I also just canvassed the thread. I'm not a fan of a muted ukulele, which often results from being overbuilt. Poor intonation would bother me. I tolerate friction tuners, but would rather not have to nurse them.

 

[gustophersmob]

The only things that I would classify as true “pet peeves” are guitar style tuners on anything smaller than tenor (and even tenor I prefer the aesthetic of out the back tuners) and bridges with “wings” like on an acoustic or classical guitar.

These are ukuleles, not guitars, and I want them to look it.

 

[mikelz777]

I've seen this in multiple ukes with laminate back/sides. It really bugs me when the grain patterns on the back are at an angle (like running from
1 o'clock to 7 o'clock) rather than straight up and down in line with the neck. (12 and 6 o'clock)

 

[3-1-1]

Head stocks that flair out too far, too early or both, and make some upper chords way more difficult than they should ever be.

 

[spongeuke]

Thick fret boards on a soprano and heavy tuners on the same. Sopranos feel and sound better when lightly built.

 

[Cadia]

I've seen this in multiple ukes with laminate back/sides. It really bugs me when the grain patterns on the back are at an angle (like running from
1 o'clock to 7 o'clock) rather than straight up and down in line with the neck. (12 and 6 o'clock)

I agree. I also hate sharp edges on the nut, particularly the lower edge. I dislike those big Fender headstocks, and the gaudy signature ukes that are only fair-ish to play (looking at you, Fender). Don't like oversized slotted headstocks, nor Aquila strings on a high end uke. I do like bling, but only when it's well done on a good uke, not overbling on an inexpensive uke just to dress it up as something it isn't.

 

[TerryM]

They both look very contrived to me. If you take the neck heel from the second example, you can carry the side right to the edge of the neck heel and lose the awkward square joints.

Sounds even better. Can you show me an example? I can't envision how the side would meet up with the neck on the cutaway side, unless you mean double curving it to a smooth join.

 

[BuzzBD]

Sounds even better. Can you show me an example? I can't envision how the side would meet up with the neck on the cutaway side, unless you mean double curving it to a smooth join.

The trick is to use the low profile, square neck heel.

 

[BuzzBD]

It was hard to find a picture of the back of a cutaway. The actual shape of the cutaway itself is only limited by your imagination. I would prefer a continuous curved cutaway that approaches the neck heel at about a 30 degree angle, instead of straight up like the picture.
Brad

 

[TerryM]

It was hard to find a picture of the back of a cutaway. The actual shape of the cutaway itself is only limited by your imagination. I would prefer a continuous curved cutaway that approaches the neck heel at about a 30 degree angle, instead of straight up like the picture.
Brad

Yeah, I get it now, and it's more what I intended rather than that second example with the boxed-in section.

Like this ↓

 

[eternal tinkerer]

-plastic preamps cut into the side of quality instruments-
-decals masquerading as rosettes or inlay--

Yes, both of these! Every time I see a rectangular black plastic switchboard cut into the side of a ukulele or guitar, I'm totally turned off. There's got to be a more elegant way to integrate such functions no?

Decal rosettes are about as attractive as press-on nails. I'll leave it at that.

 

[mikelz777]

Rope binding/rosettes.

 

[eternal tinkerer]

How about more pineapple shape ukuleles in other sizes besides soprano? I'm still looking for the article that proves by physics why the hour-glass shape is ideal for producing tone out of a ukulele.