One thing I really like about building CBG's is that there are so many small steps where you can take a break. Some of them encourage you to start something else in the meanwhile. My ADD really approves of this!

So while I wait for glue to set and paint to dry, I either pick up an instrument and practice, or I surf CBN, or else I work on a different build.

So today I started building a resonator Uke. I bought a 6" pet food bowl at the local dollarama for $1.25, and mounted it into a "cosmetically challenged" 7x9" Brick House box that I had relegated to spare parts storage.

Since the box was written on with permanent marker by the cigar shop I bought it from, I sanded off all the paint with my belt sander and wound up with an interesting distressed look. I painted over that with ebony Minwax stain and it seems like it's gonna end up with a lot of character.

This being my first uke build, I have no idea what to string it with. Should I go with nylon, or traditional acoustic strings?  If I do use electric strings, what gauges would be recommended? I am planning this build to use a 17" scale as my wife already has a uke with this scale and we really enjoy it.

Views: 651

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Each choice has its merits. Nylon strings will give you that true "uke" sound, but not much in sustain. Steel acoustic strings offer better sustain, and both nylon and steel acoustic work great with piezo pickups. If a mag pickup is used, electric guitar strings give best response to pickup.

The other thing to consider is nylon uke strings are designed for short scale length, and thus, will tune to proper pitch without strings beng too tight. With acoustic steel and/or electric strings, adjustment is necessary...since these are designed for longer scale (24-28" scale). With the shorter uke scale length, the gauge of strings must be increased to deal with the extra tension when bringing those strings to pitch.

I had a resonator uke built for me by Harrison Withers, with a 19" scale. It is tuned ADF#B, and the string gauges are quite heavy. Without increasing the string gauge, you risk snapping the string(s) while tuning them to pitch.

Thanks Scott, (or do you prefer Ted, or Farmer Ted?)

This is exactly the kind of input I was looking for. I will start with a set of  nylon uke strings and see how it sounds. I can always keep them as spares for my wife's uke if I don't like them on mine.

Scott or Farmer Ted is fine...there are at least two other members that go by "Ted"...Ted Crocker and Ted Hartman.

I see you are in St Andrews... I will be working in Pictou next week and staying in New Glasgow on Monday night. Any chance we could meet up some place?

Monday is a good night. I'll check with my better half (me wife of course) and see what we can do.

Ball end metal mandolin strings, or loop emd depemding on what fits your box................Cheers Ron

RSS

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources


Forum

crossover guitar.

Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 21. 11 Replies

Tune up songs

Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies

Duel output jacks

Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies

How to Get Your Own Music on Spotify

Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 21. 2 Replies

CB Bass Guitar

Started by Mi Rankin in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Justin Stanchfield Jan 27. 5 Replies

Latest Activity

Doug Thorsvik posted a video

Hail the Resurrection Day: 2-String Violin Chugger Cigar Box Guitar

Cigar Box Guitar Slingers - Spokane, 195th Zoom Mtg 03/25/24. Only 1-finger chords, free songbooks here: https://www.cbgslinger.com/download CBG SOF Songbook...
20 minutes ago
A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.

"Thank you Poorness ! for loving it ! appreciated!"
16 hours ago
Southern Ray replied to Timothy Hunter's discussion just came accross this pickup idea on youtube.
" Very interesting. Thank you Timothy!"
16 hours ago
Kent Thurston updated their profile
17 hours ago
Southern Ray posted a photo

Punch Project!

She now sports gold metal CBGitty knobs, speaker and an Artec 2.5 watt speaker. Finished this in…
18 hours ago
Southern Ray posted a photo

Project Punch!

Gonna finally get back on this long-delayed project that is more than half complete. (The matching…
18 hours ago
Poorness Studios liked A.D.EKER's video
20 hours ago
BrianQ. left a comment for Rob (Uker) Porras
"Hope this helps?"
20 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo
Thumbnail

Dueling Flatheads

"I appreciate the kind words Papa D! I have always loved the look of these cigar boxes. Glad to have…"
23 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
yesterday
A.D.EKER posted a video

Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.

The recorded History By Alan Lomax for the library of Congres of the Blues, from Mc Kinley Morganfield (Aka Muddy Waters) the in this take recorded Tribute ...
yesterday
Papa D commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo
Thumbnail

Dueling Flatheads

"Beautiful..Nice work Doug.."
yesterday

Music

© 2024   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->