Official Luthiers Forum!

I hope there are some uke guru's... or at least some nut who's made one here...
I'm thinking about changing my plans. Instead of a guitar I might make a uke. 1. Because it's cheaper
2. If it does work I won't be able to play it. Then i would be able to tell if it sounds terrible
A few quick questions.
How is a uke braced?
Which is the most common style
Is there a good book about uke building?
Any info will be appreciated. Lay it on me!

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-They made me do this-
My name is Matthew Luce

I'm far from an expert, but I would suggest you start with the StewMac kit. there is more information about it on the web then you would imagine.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Kits/Ukulel ... e_Kit.html

A tutorial of the same kit..
http://www.carrotcreek.com/ukulele/ukulele_draft.htm

hardcore Uke folk at this place.
http://uketalk.com/v-web/bulletin/bb/index.php

another great site that is all about Ukes
http://www.hanalima.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl

Have fun!

Try Uketalk.com

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Formerly know as Mandodiddle.

I've built one, and have 3 other bodies ready. The first was a concert, the next 2 will be tenor's. I was lucky because I had the plans for a martin 5k concert from a friend of mine. But you can get a generic martin plan from Elderly instruments. I had already built 2 guitars and 1 bouzouki from scratch before building this uke from scratch. I didn't really follow the plans at all, and decided to build it like a guitar. I used a butt jointed bolt on with 1 bolt. The next time I'll use a pinned bridge because it is easier for me to make. It is a great way to practice your guitar building skills whether it be inlay, bridge making, nut making, or fretting. Good luck and ask lots of questions.

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Tracy
http://www.luthiersuppliers.com

I've built using Hanalima and Scott Antes plans. I now use a combination of the two plans. The Hanalima instruction book is worth the money. My experience has been that Hanalima overbraces and uses too thick wood. For example, the fingerboard material they sell is 1/4" thick. Most ukes have somewhat thinner fingerboards. I guess they don't want any failures in their school. Since slimming down materials, the sound of my instruments has improved dramatically.

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A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA

I would second the suggestion that you start with a Stewmac kit. They will teach you all of the basics, and the bracing is just right. Other plans I have seen are way too over-braced, and specify wood that is too thick.

I completed two Stewmac kits, learned a lot, and now I am finishing my next uke and started on the fourth from scratch.

My first Stewmac kit build, with just a few minor changes....


My second Stewmac kit.... with many changes...


Oh yes... you can play one.... clamp on a guitar D chord shape and you have a G. Then follow your fingers.

Rod

question about these here plans
http://www.hanalimastore.com/servlet/Detail?no=98
can someone explain to me what fan bracing is, maybe a picture even?

_________________
-They made me do this-
My name is Matthew Luce

The confusing thing about that plan in your link, is that it isn't fan braced, even though the text says that it is.

This one is.

Hi Matthew,
when they refer to fan bracing, that's what is used for traditional classical guitar bracing. You can find many examples on the Web (see attached). Ukuleles often are braced with 2 or 3 ladder braces, but many are fan braced as well. I personally like the sound of a fan braced uke. As others have mentioned, it's easy to over-brace a uke, so think less rather than more. Koa is probably the most widely accepted wood for ukes (back, sides, top), but I prefer spruce-topped ukes because the tone to me is a little sweeter. Someone mentioned making a pin bridge, which might be interesting, although I'm not really sure how the string would be anchored because uke strings to my knowledge only have plain ends (or am I wrong here?). Maybe just a knot? I thought ukes would take a whole lot less time to build, but I've learned that's not necessarily true. I seem to find ways to make the pain last forever . Keep us posted.
Craig S.

Matthew I've done ukes with pin bridges and with classical style tie offs. For the pinned bridges I've used beads from Michael's craft store and just tied a knot on the bead. I've also used those brass slugs that come on the ends of guitar strings - when its time to change strings just save them. I prefer the tied off bridges. You can see both styles on my site. Also as for tone bars different plans have a different number of tone bars; the Antes plans has two with a center one as optional. I've seen others build with up to five tone bars. So far I only use three. Regards

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A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA

Ukes are for sissy's...... JUST KIDDING.....

I'll go away now......

I just had an idea to save money! -FYI i'm so tight i squeak when i walk-. Buy a cheapo 30$ kit. Then i can trash the body, and keep the neck and bridge n tuners n' stuff. Then by some real wood and bracestock and be in business. Thoughts?

_________________
-They made me do this-
My name is Matthew Luce

I'd just pop for the StewMac kit. it's all wood, it's all good.

the 30 dollar kits, I'm sure, have less quality parts. I know the fret board on the cheap ones are cheaper.

http://www.hanalima.com
the hana lima kit is 10 bucks less then the stewmac kit. I think it's the same kit. shipping might be more though...

FWIW, I just glued the bridge onto mine tonight. Can't wait to string it up.

If you are like the rest of us, and I 'm guessing you are, you will fall in love with the process of building instruments. Sure, practice on imexpensive wood but you will not regret getting the better kit. You are more likely to turn out a masterpiece. It will turn out to be great experience.

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Greg
http://garibaldiinstruments.com/

I wasn't going to post since you referred to `ukulele builders as a "nut", but since Hesh already went away. . .

Why would you buy a kit just to throw it away? Just start from scratch. Really, the only thing an `ukulele kit will teach you is how to glue two pieces of wood together.

If you like Spanish heels, get Mike Chock's book, and order a complete set from him at Hana Lima `Ia. Spend some time on David Hurd's site (Kawika `Ukulele), and Kathy Matsushita has some good uke info.

Well just for me I had NO woodworking under my belt. So the kit helped me step out and just do it. The $30 kit (from Grizzly or Hana lima) is not as bad as some make it sound yes the fretboard is cheap but most of the other parts are not that far in quality from the stew mac one (also available from Hana lima) I have both I am finished with the cheap one and now have enough confidence to try out the nicer solid wood one and I learned some important lessons from the cheap build that will help insure that this one not only is better wood but will come out better because of the cheap kit. Kits also can save you money if you are not sure you want to spend a bunch of money on something you may not like. I say buy both from hana lima (they are the only one who have BOTH kits) and use the cheap build to learn some important aspects of building which when done can be a give away (I learned neck alignment. bridge positioning and tons on finishing )
Just my two cents worth but I definitely learned even from the mostly done cheap kit.

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Zac

Anchorage Alaska

Finshed my 1st! See #1 here

What a cute customer Zac! You must be proud to do this for our daughter!


Gee Hesh! I don't think you and Reny are going to get along too well!

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

The Stewmac kit is a bolt/glue on neck whereas the Hanalima kit is for classical style necks.
Hesh, outsourcing finishing is for wimps, no? YOu struck a chord with this uke builder.

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A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA

I guess you could build the Hanalima kit anyway you want to, but if you follow the Hanalima book you will be building the instrument with a Spanish heel. Just to clarify.

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A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA

Ain't more skill needed as your doing everything in miniture

Anyone ever made a steel string uke?

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Formerly JJH

I learn more from my mistakes than my successes

Matthew,

I’m another person who will point you towards Hana Lima ‘Ia for any ukulele needs. In fact, I say you should consider one of their regular scratch kits. Combine that with the Hana Lima Ukulele Construction Manual and you will be all set. The Ukulele Construction Manual is basically a written form of their 10 week ukulele building school and will take you step by step in the building process. I have built from the regular Hana Lima kit and from the option 2 soprano kit and find that the regular kit was much more rewarding (more work too).

I think that the most intimidating part of building for the beginner is the thought of bending the sides and carving the neck. Bending can be accomplished with a bending iron that you can make yourself. It can be as simple a metal pipe and a propane torch. I just bent wood using a pipe stuffed with some plain metal scouring pads and heat supplied by my heat gun. Carving the neck is not really that hard to do. It was much easier than I expected. If you want to learn then just do it. Don’t forget that you can always practice making a neck with cheap wood from the Borg store.

The fear is in making mistakes. That point is mute since everyone, including the pro’s make mistakes. The good thing is that almost any mistake is repairable. So don’t overly worry about it. The secret is in taking your time. Trying to rush a project, especially while your are learning, is just asking for errors to occur. Don’t just follow the instructions but take the time to read and understand what you are doing. Be sure to mark a centerlines and orientations on your wood. Of course measure at least twice then check the orientation and centerlines before you do any cutting.

The bottom line is to have fun so choose any way you want. I did it with very limited skills and tools so you can too. It just takes a bit more time. I will guarantee you that you will be more critical of your work than anyone else. I will also guarantee that most people are amazed when you show your instrument and say that you built it from a pile of wood.

Have fun!

Philip

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aka konacat

If you think my playing is bad you should hear me sing!
Practice breeds confidence and confidence breeds competence. Unfortunately, I'm stuck in practice.

I can't do cords............

I always expected you to have a patch on your eye.
For' pirating my thread

_________________
-They made me do this-
My name is Matthew Luce

Hesh, great job on my pic. should be my new avatar!! You are talented in so many ways.

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A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA

Hesh, you da man. Way cool.