Posted by Richard White on September 19, 2014 at 8:41pm
I found an old 50's - 60's knockoff Harmony uke at my local thrift shop. Fortunately for me, it had a huge crack on the bottom. So I offered $5 for it, and they took it. Score! I cut off the neck, took out the neck block, unscrewed the plastic fretboard and salvaged the 1 piece bridge. All in all, I'm pretty happy with it. I strung it up with my very 1st set of Low G strings. I'm still getting used to them, but they're growing on me. I'm using Aquila Reds, and they sure do add some eye candy to the finished product! Due to small box, the sound is kinda muffled though, compared to others I've made. But it sure is cute!
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Thanks for the comments Dave. Regarding the bridge, that's actually a smart observation. I hadn't thought about that, but it make sense why she's a little quiet. Yeah, with that short box & the additional inch for the zero fret needing to be factored into the distance to the bridge, it does sit pretty far from the center. I'm thinking maybe I'll add a piezo pick up for a little added volume.
It is very cute! I like the sound hole position, but the bridge is too low to make a good soundboard vibration. I know it's there cause the neck dictated it. Just an observation...
Thanks Uncle John. I guess my hand does look pretty big next to the small box! I appreciate your opinion on the sound hole position. After everything was put together, I thought it might have been placed a little too low. I'm glad you like it.
Man, you have HUGE hands! You make that 25 inch scale look tiny!
Nice buy on the old uke, nice job, That sound hole position and cover work well. I love the low G uke tuning. I play lot better on the concert size. Thanks for the good description. Hey, lots of youtube lessons that made playing blues in the key of C - easy for me.
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Ya, i'll bet the pickup will turn her on bigtime.
It is very cute! I like the sound hole position, but the bridge is too low to make a good soundboard vibration. I know it's there cause the neck dictated it. Just an observation...
Now that's just friggin' sweet !!!
Man, you have HUGE hands! You make that 25 inch scale look tiny!
Nice buy on the old uke, nice job, That sound hole position and cover work well. I love the low G uke tuning. I play lot better on the concert size. Thanks for the good description. Hey, lots of youtube lessons that made playing blues in the key of C - easy for me.
Very nice job!