Started by Rupe Power. Last reply by Sal Monella Nov 11, 2022. 3 Replies 0 Likes
Hello from Nova ScotiaI have three grand daughters 8, 3 and 2 yrs old. I would like to build a Uke for each of them. Can anyone recommend a size or type.thanksContinue
Started by Brown Water Jerry (Rice). Last reply by Kigar Mar 21, 2020. 1 Reply 0 Likes
I saw something the other day that qued my interest. If you capo a regular guitar at the fifth fret you basically have a uke. So.... if I saw a fret board at the fifth fret and put the bridge the…Continue
Started by Brian Revels. Last reply by Brian Revels Oct 6, 2017. 8 Replies 1 Like
So, I have been building Cigar Box Guitars, Canjos, Dulcijos,and Diddley Bows for a few years now. I wanted to try my hand at a Ukulele.I found a tenor uke maple neck with a pre-fretted rosewood…Continue
Started by jose garcia paredes. Last reply by Kigar Sep 3, 2017. 3 Replies 0 Likes
Hi! i have a cigar box 22,5 x20x 5 cm...... Is good choice for a soprano uke? Thanks!Continue
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That is a very fine looking build. Complete with amp. Yes, there is a lot of bracing and mass inside that box.
I would suggest a couple of things for better acoustic sound on future builds.
The sound hole could be smaller and a little farther forward. That would give you a larger effective sound board. Or you could use F holes close to the front and outboard, toward the edges. The second thing would be to use a slightly longer box which would put the bridge more forward. Ideally it should be around 1/3 the distance between the back of the box and the front. Putting more vibration near the center of the sound board. Then reduce the mass of the internal bracing. Along the sides and the rear, thin plywood would be adequate. I didn't use any bracing except in the front of the box on Mellow Yellow.
The break angles are probably ok. I couldn't tell from the photos.
On my next build I will move the sound hole a bit more forward. I have never used a block under the bridge, inside. If the sound board dips excessively under the bridge, I put in 2 very thin longitudinal braces on edge. I often make them from the extra "humidor" wood that comes inside the box. Typically they are about 1/4" tall. That adds a lot of strength with little mass.
I have learned these things by trial and error and also by reading articles here on Cigar Box Nation.
BTW, there will be a meeting June 7 in Roseville. I will be going up.
very clean build. Ive also finished my first build using the hanger bolt/jig. parrallel piezo's and a matching 9 volt amp. Lots of mistakes. The Brass Brick B lost all acoutics due to over bracing. advice on photo insert and string height, break, is needed. However with amp on its perfect. Ill be looking fo... Thanks to Gary and Hal, gurus
Nice Gary! I love the round edges on any box. See you in 2 weeks?
Thrift store find:
I found a really nice wood bowl. The sides are vertical There are 21 pieces to the rim. I was able to cut it in two for 2 banjo ukes. My plan is to use the recycled plastic for the "drum head". It won't be adjustable. It will probably be attached with staples. Any opinions on the non tunable head would be appreciated. I plan to use the heat gun method on the plastic.
My other find on the same day was a silverware box. It was pretty sad looking when I got it. I repaired it and sanded the finish off and took the interior out. It was rather large for a guitar body. so I put a handle on it and a couple of clasps and I call it a brief case.
Gary...Look on my page and at the bottom are my videos....I will be looking for your video....Will
Will,
I'll get a video posted in a few days. Mine doesn't sound as good as I remember yours sounding at the Strum shop meet. But it seems decent.
Thanks, Gary, but every thing I showed you was what I had learned on CBN from other members. You are right about the cat bowl reinforcing. After trying many degrees of reinforcing/support/place to hold screws, I liked best just putting a very small block of wood under the 4 screws that hold the cat bowl down. I usually use the bottom of Padron flip top box because they have very nice sounding plywood. The last 2 cat bowl resonator ukes I built were made with unfinished necks and finished fret boards, but I like the feel of the ones that I building with my own necks better. Post a video of you playing so that we can hear it. I think that I still have a video, somewhere, with me playing the 1st one I built.
A shout out for Will "ukulele king" King. Will helped me a lot advising me about neck connection, various jigs, cat bowls and improving my fret end dressing.
Thanks for your help, Will.
Started by Rupe Power. Last reply by Sal Monella Nov 11, 2022. 3 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Brown Water Jerry (Rice). Last reply by Kigar Mar 21, 2020. 1 Reply 0 Likes
Started by Brian Revels. Last reply by Brian Revels Oct 6, 2017. 8 Replies 1 Like
Started by jose garcia paredes. Last reply by Kigar Sep 3, 2017. 3 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear. Last reply by Bob Johnston May 1, 2017. 10 Replies 0 Likes
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