Neck preferences

Posted by Mitchell Boren on December 20, 2010 at 3:10pm

So I've been looking around youtube and such, and I've noticed that a lot of folks who build ukes start with a neck from a broken uke, and do not go for the through the body style. This seems like it would be good from the standpoint of being able to put a circular sound hole in the middle of the box, but also seems like it might break or bend easily.

 

I just finished my first, and I have the wood to make a few more in the same general style(I do want to try an angled headstock next time :) )  , but if I can get ahold of an old neck, I might also try the other way.

 

Anyone have any opinions to share?

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Replies

  • John Hopper December 21, 2010 at 11:43am

    Hi Herb, I just sent you a freind request so I can chat directly.  I just started a discussion on resonator ukes.  May be I can get some good info and tips.  Please join in.  jh

    herb berwald said:

    I am no expert, but would be glad to help if I can... I have pictures of just about every build and if I don't, I can make some sawdust and get them.  I have used 17 inches for my Tenor Ukes, kind of in between.  I am thinking my next one will be a resonator style.  Got to try something different.

    If you want to shoot me an email, it is herb@CigarGuitar.com  There are also some more pictures there...

     

  • Ukecansam December 21, 2010 at 7:15am

    Herb,

     

    Thanks,  I will check out your pics tonight when I get home from work.  Thanks for the e-mail address.  I am sure we will be talking in the future.

    herb berwald said:

    I am no expert, but would be glad to help if I can... I have pictures of just about every build and if I don't, I can make some sawdust and get them.  I have used 17 inches for my Tenor Ukes, kind of in between.  I am thinking my next one will be a resonator style.  Got to try something different.

    If you want to shoot me an email, it is herb@CigarGuitar.com  There are also some more pictures there...

     

  • Ukecansam December 21, 2010 at 7:13am

    Thanks Mitchell,  I will take my time.  I will take pics and post them on my page.  Thanks for everyones help.  I may be asking for more in the future if thats OK.

    Mitchell Boren said:

     

    Alan Roberts said:



    Ukecansam said: I want to make a ukulele with frets.  I would like to start off with a tentor.  I would like your help in any way to help me along my quest...

     

    A tenor has a scale length of 16-18 inches, with mebbe 18 frets. Plug those numbers into StewMac's fret calculator and see what you get. http://www.stewmac.com/fretcalc.html

    I would convert everything into millimeters, though. A *whole* lot easier than fighting with decimal inches.

     

     

    I used a measuring tape and Crow's formula to make fret marks on my CBGs, but for the uke, I just held the fretboard up beside my concert uke and made marks, Used a square to make straight marks across, and the same square as a brace to put the saw beside and keep it straight when cutting. I took my time and it all turned out fine.

     

    here is the method I was talking about here. Not sure how well it works for ukes, but it should work fine.

     

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBZegVxVcJg

  • Ukecansam December 21, 2010 at 7:08am

    Alan,

     

    Thank you for your help.  I put that link into my Favortes.

    Alan Roberts said:



    Ukecansam said: I want to make a ukulele with frets.  I would like to start off with a tentor.  I would like your help in any way to help me along my quest...

     

    A tenor has a scale length of 16-18 inches, with mebbe 18 frets. Plug those numbers into StewMac's fret calculator and see what you get. http://www.stewmac.com/fretcalc.html

    I would convert everything into millimeters, though. A *whole* lot easier than fighting with decimal inches.

  • herb Berwald WWW.CigarGuitar.com December 21, 2010 at 5:10am

    I am no expert, but would be glad to help if I can... I have pictures of just about every build and if I don't, I can make some sawdust and get them.  I have used 17 inches for my Tenor Ukes, kind of in between.  I am thinking my next one will be a resonator style.  Got to try something different.

    If you want to shoot me an email, it is herb@CigarGuitar.com  There are also some more pictures there...

     

  • Mitchell Boren December 20, 2010 at 11:29pm

     

    Alan Roberts said:



    Ukecansam said: I want to make a ukulele with frets.  I would like to start off with a tentor.  I would like your help in any way to help me along my quest...

     

    A tenor has a scale length of 16-18 inches, with mebbe 18 frets. Plug those numbers into StewMac's fret calculator and see what you get. http://www.stewmac.com/fretcalc.html

    I would convert everything into millimeters, though. A *whole* lot easier than fighting with decimal inches.

     

     

    I used a measuring tape and Crow's formula to make fret marks on my CBGs, but for the uke, I just held the fretboard up beside my concert uke and made marks, Used a square to make straight marks across, and the same square as a brace to put the saw beside and keep it straight when cutting. I took my time and it all turned out fine.

     

    here is the method I was talking about here. Not sure how well it works for ukes, but it should work fine.

     

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBZegVxVcJg

  • Alan Roberts December 20, 2010 at 10:45pm



    Ukecansam said: I want to make a ukulele with frets.  I would like to start off with a tentor.  I would like your help in any way to help me along my quest...

     

    A tenor has a scale length of 16-18 inches, with mebbe 18 frets. Plug those numbers into StewMac's fret calculator and see what you get. http://www.stewmac.com/fretcalc.html

    I would convert everything into millimeters, though. A *whole* lot easier than fighting with decimal inches.

  • Ukecansam December 20, 2010 at 9:31pm

    Herb,

     

    you do some nice work!!!!   I want to learn how to do that.  Can you help me?

     

    Ukecan Sam

    herb berwald said:

    here are a few necks I have made...all the ukes have a bolt on neck.  I have used threaded inserts and the barrel type connectors.  I now like the barrel type the best. Feel free to let me know if you need more detailed pictures or other info..herb


    305692288?profile=RESIZE_480x480305693537?profile=RESIZE_480x480305694796?profile=RESIZE_480x480305696469?profile=RESIZE_480x480

  • Ukecansam December 20, 2010 at 9:28pm


    John,

     

    I am new to this group.  I have made two 3 string fretless and a 1 string fretless cigar box guitar.  The 3 strings I made as gifts and just fittle with the 1 string.  I want to make a ukulele with frets.  I would like to start off with a tentor.  I would like your help in any way to help me along my quest.

     

    Thanks,

     

    Ukecan Sam
    John Hopper said:

    MB, I am new to this, but I have made 4 CB Ukes and have made my own necks.  Mine but up to the box and are attached with a furniture insert nut and flat connecting bolt with a hex slot.  I have documented my process and will share it if you wan to take a look.

  • Outhouse Instruments December 20, 2010 at 7:39pm

    Somebody emailed me and asked for these.

    The reso uke is missing the tuners and bridge cuz I needed some quick for another build.

    240070952?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024

    240071571?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024240072063?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024The front of the box is done just like a neck thru , and the tail end of the neck sits in the cross bar. The crosss bar does not touch the lid. Everything is just glued in place.

     

    the biggest concern is making sure the bridge will land where it needs to on the cone ( or whatever you use as one) to fit your scale length.

     

    Matt

This reply was deleted.