Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Joseph Young on November 2, 2014 at 10:14am

Hey if ur using nylon strings you don't need to brace normally and a lack of bracing will increase your volume. Which is why they made the arch top guitars back in the day. I normally just drill a hole in the box and neck and glue in a dowel it works well. Anyway hope that helps cheers.

Permalink Reply by Jantan ux on November 3, 2014 at 8:41am

I think I need some sort of reinforcement for box. 

Maybe something like is used for banjos?

Box just feels too weak for strings tension. Dowell through box may help. I'm not sure.

Permalink Reply by Jantan ux on November 3, 2014 at 8:50am

I think I need some sort of reinforcement for box. 

Maybe something like is used for banjos?

Box just feels too weak for strings tension. Dowell through box may help. I'm not sure.

Another Idea is  to use neck through. I just lower the neck in box and leave space between top and bottom.    

Permalink Reply by Joseph Young on November 3, 2014 at 1:05pm

Well first is ur box wooden or fiberboard second the bottom of a box is normally the better soundboard

Permalink Reply by Jantan ux on November 4, 2014 at 7:46am

Box is wooden. I know that thinner wood is better for soundboard.

Permalink Reply by Joseph Young on November 4, 2014 at 12:35pm

Permalink Reply by Joseph Young on November 4, 2014 at 12:37pm

this is actually the first thing I ever built anyway it's just got a neck block and the bridge is super glued to the soundboard stands up fine

Permalink Reply by gary sheldon on January 17, 2015 at 1:01pm

Jantan,

  I am not sure what your question is.  Putting a couple of longitudinal braces (small and thin) shouldn't hurt the volume much.  The way I check to see if I need bracing is to put a straight edge across the top whild the uke is strung and tuned.  If the center of the top dips a lot, you need bracing.  

  Another thing I noticed is that your bridge is very far back on the top.  Moving it forward would help the volume.  Of course, you cannot move it forward and maintain your scale length.  You may need a longer box.  The rule of thumb is that the bridge should be about 1/3 of the distance between the end of the box and the total length of the box.