Monthly Archives: September 2013

While starting to prep stock for the tenor acoustic ukes, I've also started messing around with building an electric ukulele. I've decided to go with a concert uke size - a 15" scale length. I started by drawing out my pattern full size, to make sure I liked the look of it and that I knew where I'd be able to fit my components. It's going to have one single-coil pickup, with a single tone knob and a single volume knob - I'm going to keep this first one nice and simple. I've ordered some hardtail-style adjustable saddles, but I'm going to have to fabricate my own bridge as I can't find any four-string ones at any of the usual online suppliers I typically use. The first big step - which I did last night - was cut out and shape the neck. That went pretty well - although the headstock ended up being a little smaller than what I had drawn, and I had to order a different set of tuners in order to get them to fit on there.

I've made some progress on the carved multi-uke hanger since the last time I posted. It's going pretty well so far. It's a nice relaxing activity, and one that I can do when I'd prefer to have a lot less noise and dust than working with the power tools. Still no idea when it will be finished, but there is still a lot to do.

A few days ago I finished the last of the trio of soprano ukuleles I've been building. This one has got a maple neck and cherry top, sides, and back. I'm getting better at getting the action right on the first try - it's pretty near perfect on this one, with no real tweaking necessary. Now it's just a question of what to do with it - as I've already got two other sopranos I have built (this makes three). But at least I've cleared this one off of my plate and can start the tenors I've been itching to build.