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Ukuleles?

Posted by David English on May 14, 2011 at 12:04am in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

Good evening Nation,

Have built a couple of 3 stingers now but was asked about Ukuleles the other day. Watched Shelley's busking video and decided I needed to build one. I've got a couple of smaller boxes that would work great I just need some more info, How about some information on Ukuleles. Scales, frets, strings, tuners, the works. Who's the pro?

Thanks,

JD

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Replies

  • Jason W. May 14, 2011 at 7:00pm
    I have used the low/narrow frets from CBGitty on my ukes. If you want more bridge height, you could go with taller frets, but the wide frets on a ukulele scale tend to crowd the fretboard, in my opinion. Although, I'm far from expert.
  • Mungo Park May 14, 2011 at 11:41am
    Well this does overlap with my string brdige thread, I am building a uke and this is just what I was thinking about, how much force is needed to drive the top, 14.75 scale maybe just make the bridge and a really high saddle and go from their and try to fit the neck to it.  Cheers Ron
  • Diane in Chicago May 14, 2011 at 8:21am

    Because of the nylon strings, the ukes I've make have been pretty quiet.  One of them we switched out to steel strings for a little more power.

     

    I think the choice of box is really critical, unless you are putting in a pickup.  I think the next one I do will be on one of those really thin 601 boxes.  My two on Indian Tabac boxes, for example, look very hot, but the box lid is really thick for such a small instrument.

     

    Here is a whole group with probably more information than you really want:  http://www.cigarboxnation.com/group/cigarboxukulele

  • ChickenboneJohn May 14, 2011 at 2:34am

    I prefer the longer scale (tenor) at around 17" as this gives more tension in the strings and I find it produces a better, more ringing tone with a cigar box body. Don't use too small a box otherwise the top just won't vibrate - a small box with a thick plywood top won't produce much volume.  As the strings are at relatively low tension and don't have much mass, it's quite difficult to get them to efficiently 'drive' the top. The shorter scale ukes have less tension in the strings and need a really light top to produce any sort of volume. Having said that, if you are using a box with a really thin Spanish Cedar top, you'll probably need to put in a couple of light braces, especially with a long scale/ high string tension uke.

     

    Use skinny frets (banjo or mandolin gauge) and be ultra-careful about settting-out your frets, as these very short scales aren't forgiving about inaccurately placed frets.

     

    I've always used cheap, simple friction pegs, and as for strings, pretty much any decent brand..although I must admit I like the look of black strings, and given the choice always go for black rather than clear, simply because they look cool.

     

    I use a trad. style glued/screwed on bridge (rather than a  floating bridge), as it exerts some pull on the top and I feel it helps to get the top vibrating.  

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