FIRST BUILD TENOR UKE - DONE! NICE EDUCATIONAL PROJECT. HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE NEXT ONE. - Cigar Box Ukulele

Attached are photos of the ukulele I had started before the holidays. The biggest mistake I had made was the placement of the bridge. Some how - and I still do not know why - it was off about 1/4 inch to the left. To correct the problem I moved the saddle across the slot so the strings would lay even on the neck. The only other minor problem was the pin head - IT MUST BE 3/8 INCH THICK. The cheep e-bay tuners (about $4) do not like thicker wood. I had to sand down the black plastic backing so the wing head could be screwed in. The are tight and holding well.

The best tip you folks had was to use a sample block of the plastic counter-top material corean. It cuts great and sands easy. Great material for nut and saddle.

Thanks Folks - I also have more construction photos and comments. This box actually sounds very good for having cheep strings on it, have ordered some better ones.

NOW the questions: I would like to build another tenor ukulele with - -

1. A 20 inch scale with 18 frets. finger board 1 3/4 " wide.

2. Use a set of Martin BARITONE STRINGS AND TUNE IT TO A LOW G.

Am I mixing too many items for this to work?

Thank you, I also have a set of acoustic strings to try if the Baritone ones do not work. The top is actually the bottom of a Belinda Cigar box. I was 1/8" plywood. The original box top was 1/4" plywood and was warped badly. I used some strips of cherry wood to fill in the gap and fitted in 2 oak 1/2" blocks at each end for box reinforcement. The new bottom is from a sheet of 1/4" birch veneer plywood. The total box thickness is now 2 1/4". The bridge is glued to the box and pinned through with 1/4" birch dowel rods.

I have attached some photos. Good luck on your rebuilding project.

rain-air said:

Looks great! Which wood did you use for the top, what thickness?

Baritone strings should be too slack for low G (set tuned one octave below concert uke, right?) on 20" (proper baritone) scale.

I'm planning to do the same thing , reworking a beat up guitar. I intend to use the middle strings from a silk&steel guitar set.

Hope I can post results soon.

Now let's reglue bridges.

Replies

Sammy Lloyd June 6, 2011 at 7:00pm

Fabulous, I'm just starting my first Tenor Uke and getting so many hints and tips from you guys. The detail is just wonderful, thanks for your inspirational work
John V. Pflaum January 19, 2011 at 7:35pm

Thank you Dianne.

I use small brass spoke shaves, then wood rasp and files.
Dianne Woods said:

John, great job on your build. Great job on the neck carving, very nice.
Dianne Woods January 19, 2011 at 11:11am

John, great job on your build. Great job on the neck carving, very nice.
John V. Pflaum January 19, 2011 at 9:25am

Thank you, I also have a set of acoustic strings to try if the Baritone ones do not work. The top is actually the bottom of a Belinda Cigar box. I was 1/8" plywood. The original box top was 1/4" plywood and was warped badly. I used some strips of cherry wood to fill in the gap and fitted in 2 oak 1/2" blocks at each end for box reinforcement. The new bottom is from a sheet of 1/4" birch veneer plywood. The total box thickness is now 2 1/4". The bridge is glued to the box and pinned through with 1/4" birch dowel rods.
I have attached some photos. Good luck on your rebuilding project.

rain-air said:

Looks great! Which wood did you use for the top, what thickness?

Baritone strings should be too slack for low G (set tuned one octave below concert uke, right?) on 20" (proper baritone) scale.

I'm planning to do the same thing , reworking a beat up guitar. I intend to use the middle strings from a silk&steel guitar set.

Hope I can post results soon.

Now let's reglue bridges.
rain-air January 19, 2011 at 6:01am

Looks great! Which wood did you use for the top, what thickness?

Baritone strings should be too slack for low G (set tuned one octave below concert uke, right?) on 20" (proper baritone) scale.

I'm planning to do the same thing , reworking a beat up guitar. I intend to use the middle strings from a silk&steel guitar set.

Hope I can post results soon.

Now let's reglue bridges.

This reply was deleted.