Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

Thanks Allen. That is very reassuring that I won't alter the soprano sound. I will keep in mind the extra tension and robustness of the build and bridge/fret-to-body position. As usual, your replies are extremely helpful and to the point. You have helped me a lot with my queries over the last few ye...

Hi there, My query is about making a soprano (pineapple) uke body and the impact of a concert sized neck with it i.e. a concert scale length. The reason I have this query is that I am very tall with big hands, so playing a soprano size neck/scale length will be quite small for me. A bit of backgroun...

Just making a new bridge for a baritone uke, and will also need to repair the tenor uke with the wear that was originally pictured. Any advice on how to best make a channel for the bone edges either side of the tie block. I have to do it on the bridge already fixed to the tenor, but the baritone I a...

Makes sense. Thanks Martin. Love the tip of sandpaper on the top to match the curve to the bridge underside.

Thanks again

Andrew

Sounds perfect and clear instructions (kiwigeo). Thanks for taking the time.
Quinny

Thanks kiwigeo. I think I do need to re-glue the bridge - I can now see from the photo that the bridge pins are what is probably holding the bridge in place. I will check the top is not curved, but that wasn't in my build so I hope it isn't. Re your comment on glues for bridges - If i used PVC i onl...

Sounds like what I need - kiwegeo. Quick question. Does that mean I redrill the hole for the strings below the bone inserted into the rebate?

Hi there, I made a tenor uke 3 years ago, but not played much. However, the kasha bridge has lifted at the back - see image below. When I release the tension on the strings the bridge doesn't settle back down to narrow the gap to the soundboard. So I assume the glue bond is holding, or the pins are ...

Hi there, ( images below) I have a tenor uke with bridge wear from two strings, mainly the 'A' string being the thinnest. It is a tenor uke I made 3 years ago with a cedar soundboard. The neck is walnut so I thought I'd make the bridge from walnut. I thought it would be hard enough. Looks like I was...

Thanks Martin. I'll give that some thought and see how I go.

Hi, I am seeking advice on preparing the Kasha bracing for the soundboard for my tenor uke. In particular, any advice on tapering the braces along the length. I brought my plans from Georgia Luthier Supply, but hadn't had a close look at the bracing specs until ready to start the build. Now I realis...

Thanks Frank for your frank and detailed reply! I need to say that my cocobolo has been sitting at my home for probably a year or more. I had another forum member (gratiously) thin the sides a year ago and it left a huge amount of resin on his drum sanding paper. Yet when I drum sanded the back piec...

Ok. things are getting a little confusing. I think I will do some tests on off cuts with my cocobolo and test glue bracing, kerfting and to the cocobolo itself - plus and minus acetone cleanup. My test results will simply be if i can add a fair pull on the peices without failure - unless of course a...

Thanks Martin, Wayne, Bob. Wayne, like you I used Titebond to join the back halves. I thinned to 2mm on the drum sander. Then got excited so I wiped it with a wet rag to see the colour and found 5cm of the joining had come undone - must have dissolved the PVA on the edge. I used epoxy to re-fix. At ...

Hi, I am making a uke with cocobolo back, sides and fretboard. I have read that it is advisable to use acetone to remove resin/oils before gluing with PVA wood glue. Is that the same with epoxy - that you should rub acetone beforehand?? If you don't need to rub acetone, is it alright to use epoxy fo...

Thanks Allen for the helpful advice as always. Really appreciate it.

thanks for the recommendations guys. As I know next to nothing about pickups I will check out the recommended items. Does that mean you need to pay close to $150 for one? Are there ones for ukes or do i just get a guitar one? I way some with 2 transducers and some with 3. Is that just a matter of pa...

Ok. things are making sense. I dont; really wanna work with a cocobolo top that has to be extra thin and not sure of the sound. But I get the point between a soft top with a more guitar sound or a hardtop with a hawaiin sound. As I have already built a tenor with a soft top i will go for a hardwood....

Hi,

I'm into my 4th uke build and thought I'd add a pickup to my tenor uke. I've seen cheap stuff on eBay and $200 ones elsewhere. Any ideas on where to get a decent but not top line uke pickup?? How much do you have to pay??

thanks
Andrew

Thanks guys. I get now that it is the weight that is the problem.
So how come Koa is ok. Is it lighter??

Andrew

Hi guys, I tend to build ukes based on what looks good as i am neither a serious uke palyer or a technical expert on uke building. I do love exploring the internet for wood and putting together a set that I love. Then some months later when I go to build it i think: Oh, is that really the best sound...

Thanks for your replies on this query. Part of me wanted to do this design without plans and work it out. I already had plans for a standard shape concert uke. I assumed the pineapple body would be longer and maybe narrower. But I was wrong. I finally realised from the Kamaka website that their sopr...

Hi I am wanting to make a concert sized pineapple uke. I have scoured the Internet for dimensions but sites only list scale length and total length of their ukes for sale, not body size. Hama Lima site has plans for $12 but no PDFs, Only $45 for printing and postage!!! Anyone got advice on body dime...

Wow. I had yesterday off work and did my experiments and adjustments on the uke. I didn't realise so much was happening on this topic! Thanks guys. Despite differing opinions, this has helped me reflect and stimulate my own questions and helped me understand the concept of intonation and compensatio...

Steve, at the 12th fret all notes are mildly sharp, but the C string is moderately sharp.
One thing that confuses me is why you have to compensate both the bridge and the nut.

Thanks
Andrew