hi guys.
well thats a pretty steep learning curve, thanks to all you who gave me advice without even knowing. Can't imagine I'd have got past cutting holes in the box without these forums!
Ok it's an 8 string concert scale ukulele. 1 piece bolt on sapele neck and bridge, white ash fret board. The nut and saddle are bone and the fret markers are 9mm luger bullet casings (20 points to the first person who spots the glaring mistake with them) It's electric using a straight piezo - jack. I ordered a uke rod piezo from hong kong but I got impatient with it not arriving and just used the piezo.
Its not octave tuned I've just used two different makes and guages of strings to get the chorus effect.
Completely addicted. I didn't use any power tools to make this and only have basic hand tools and a tiny shed so I'm pretty proud of the result although there are A LOT of small mistakes. I've learnt from them so just means the next one will be better!
Thanks again guys. Best wishes for Christmas
more pics and a couple of tunes for those interested.
this is Carl Ray Villaverdes version of Eric Claptons "tears in heaven" not my best performance but I've never had anything with paired strings so still getting used to it.
Replies
Looks like you did a super job on that. I really like to look of the strings coming from the tailpiece too.
cheers Bluesheart, I had planned to use the full hinge but it didn't look right so I had to chop it down. unfortunately I had to lower the action because the paired strings were to hard to play with when it was high and that gave a bit of a problem wiith the break angle had to shim round the strings to stop the buzzing. lesson learned. Love the look of your ukulele. I used the wood burning technique on the headstock design as I used to decorate my native american flutes in a similair style to your neck design. Beautiful instrument youve made there love the almost scroll type headstock
thanks wormil. I made it because i love the sound of paired strings but couldnt afford one a couple of google searches led me here. My playing goes a bit naff as soon as i turn a camera on thats why it speeds up and slows down a bit but thanks anyway. Just had a look at your paddle uke. I want one doesnt even start to cover it!
I love the sound of instruments with double strings, just so much fuller and richer. Great job on this and I like your playing too.
Can honestly say I've never even heard of those, saying that I only first picked up a ukulele a year ago. they look amazing! 10 strings might take some doing but thanks for the heads up. Do you have any experience with building these yourself? I've got a lot of ideas for future builds but those might hit the backburner after seeing those!
couple more videos up for anyone interested. again be gentle!
Seal - Kiss from a Rose
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZeQ1Ex7E1g&list=HL1356459559
Short one. Cripple Creek.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5k3PgqygH0&list=HL1356465093
Beautiful instrument! I have considered doing a "cuatro" (8- or 10-string uke), and you have proven that it can be done. The part that I especially like is the use of the door hinge (?) for the tailpiece.
thanks and a very Merry Christmas. yes it's a snake door hinge thats been filed down on the top side.The hardest bit to figure out for an 8 string was string spacing. nobody seems to make concert scale 8 strings so it was all guess work. worked well though! Love the idea of a ten string. might need a lot of bracing though, the tension from 8 was almost too much for this box. thanks again