Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jim Dickison on February 22, 2014 at 6:44pm

A solidbody electric uke is on my to do list. I'm thinking of making mine in the shape of the old Vox Phantom guitars from the '60's. I'm planning on steel strings and magnetic pickups... mainly due to the bridge I'm planning on using.

Most of the steel string ukuleles I've heard of end up sounding more like a small electric guitar than a uke. Not that that is necessarily a bad thing! 

I'm thinking a piezo bridge pickup and nylon strings (I use Aquila Nylgut on all my ukes!) would help retain some of that "uke" quality.

Ebony should be interesting! 

Permalink Reply by Better Trees on February 23, 2014 at 3:08am

That's key for me. It is a ukulele, and I would like it to sound like one.  

I like nylgut, but I also like those cheap Martin white strings and my favorites are d'addario t2s. They're mostly super aesthetic, because they're clear with just a little purple hue, but they're also a little warmer than the aquilas.

Good luck on your build, can't wait to see it.

Permalink Reply by Jim Dickison on February 23, 2014 at 3:54am

I've got a set of T2's... very cool looking! I just haven't put them on anything yet!

Permalink Reply by Bruce Ferrero on February 22, 2014 at 11:07pm

Just finished mine and never really considered using a piezo pickup in it.  Don't know why it wouldn't work though. Here is a picture of my MicroTele.

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• DSCF0854.JPG, 616 KB

Permalink Reply by Habanera Hal on February 23, 2014 at 2:41am

Better Trees - would love to see pics of that solid ebony.

Bruce - That's really nice.  Is that a 4 pole bass pickup?  Anymore pics?

Permalink Reply by Better Trees on February 23, 2014 at 3:07am

It's so roughly shaped right now that I am going to make you wait to see it. 

Permalink Reply by Bruce Ferrero on February 23, 2014 at 3:15am

I'll post another thread.  Won't highjack this one.  Homemade pickup.

Permalink Reply by Better Trees on February 23, 2014 at 3:08am

Beautiful.

Permalink Reply by 14 buck bass (aka antonio) on February 23, 2014 at 4:07am

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO  my buddy trees I see you didnt waste any time using that slice o goodness pie they cut ya at the wood yard. I cant wait to see that baby thats gonna look cool.  I like the way the rod piezo sounds. they work great for me . the big factor will be string pressure on the bridge bone ?  i ve never built a uke other than the one im building right now but how much pressure does it put on the bridge bone ?  i know they use em on violins ?  im thinkin its gonna work great with gut or nylon or monofilament strings.   oh and quit teasin us with the not posting a pic of that ebony shaped up

Permalink Reply by Better Trees on February 23, 2014 at 4:13am

all Lol. Shaped is not what I would call it just yet. I AM going to check out some electric violins. I had completely forgotten about them. I know I've seen solid body ones.

Permalink Reply by PhilUSAFRet on February 23, 2014 at 7:40am

Some cool solid bodied ukes use undersaddle piezo pickups and sound good.  Included are those made by Eleuke, Pono, Ko'olau, and one or two more I can't think of right now.  Don't sound like metal stringed ones though.  Great for jazz, blues, etc.  Here's some pics:

https://www.google.com/search?q=solid+bodied+electric+ukulele+nylon...

Permalink Reply by Rooster Reaves on February 23, 2014 at 9:28am

Sounds cool bro! Get one of those Ted Crocker pizo's

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