Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by The Phrygian Kid on September 1, 2013 at 10:51pm

i made my daughter one for her third birthday, she's six now and plays it real well. I used fishing line in 10lb increments, from memory 10,20,30lb.. It's still on the original strings.
She painted it herself, which really gave her some ownership and involvement.
As you'll see it's basically a solid body with a tiny hollowed chunk of cedar for a soundboard (didn't want it too loud) it actually turned out surprisingly loud and warm for such a little size. Can't remember the scale length, probly just fret four or so on my regular 600mm scale template.

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/photo/charlichops-1?context=user

Have fun with it :)

Permalink Reply by Richey Kay on September 1, 2013 at 11:03pm

Thanks for that buddy - here's a plan I just drew up... my idea was to try to get 2 guitars from one fretboard/neck blank. Might as well give it a go and see what happens!

Permalink Reply by The Phrygian Kid on September 1, 2013 at 10:56pm

Ps no, take it from a music teacher, it's a great idea!!
So many parents give their kid a $99 3/4 size classical.. Kids finds it 'too hard' gets frustrated, quits..
A strummer is a much better start imho

Permalink Reply by Richey Kay on September 1, 2013 at 11:04pm

That's the idea!

Permalink Reply by Bruce Trappes on September 1, 2013 at 11:22pm

Made for my 2 year old nephew. Strings really needed to be lighter. Fishing line sounds good. I electrified this one so that I could be sure it annoyed his parents!!! It does! Mission accomplished, and as a bonus he may one day become a musician :-)

Permalink Reply by G.S.Monroe on September 2, 2013 at 3:51am

I've done a few in that category as well...

In Fact, I have a 1 string stick dulcimer that I sell on Ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/111157244890

It is just at 20 inches over all, with a 14 inch scale length. It can easily play simple melodies and is a great beginners instrument. As for nylon strings, I find that #45 fishing line works very well.

Permalink Reply by The Phrygian Kid on September 2, 2013 at 2:52pm

I really like that!
Altho sacrificing the drones cheats you of all those 'magic' chord changes that make a strummer so cool, a one string one will at least always sound in tune with no effort from mum or dad.

Great idea I like it a lot

Permalink Reply by Richey Kay on September 2, 2013 at 7:20pm

Thanks for your input everyone! The guitars look fantastic. Looking forward to getting started.

Rick

Permalink Reply by Richey Kay on September 28, 2013 at 10:29am

Hello all - thanks again for your input. The project is now finished and there are some pics on my page. The end result turned out pretty much exactly as planned, although I think I would have needed much thicker fishing line to use the tuning I wanted. Ended up using soprano ukulele strings tuned Bf#b.

Permalink Reply by James Conder on August 2, 2017 at 12:04pm

I'M working on something like this my self.  I'm not good at chording, so I wondered how a uke would sound noter and drone style.   I'm going for a fifteen inch scale length, like a concert Ukulele.

Permalink Reply by James Conder on January 14, 2018 at 12:51pm

Finished it. Mostly. Since taking this picture I've added marks where the diatonic frets would be. Thinking about using zip ties to make actual frets.