Hello!

I am currently building a small Ukulele and i have some issues.

It would be nice if someone could help me!

This is how it looks so far:

Details:

- 300mm scale length

- 4 nylon strings

- Bone saddle&nut

(The fretboard isnt glued yet and the 2 strings are just put on for testing.)

Issue #1:

The frets on the board should be placed right because they seem to play the correct notes.

But when i pluck the "open string" i get a note that is lower than it should be in relation to the first fret.

it is like:

...

fret 3 plucked then fret 2 : "note-step" Ok

fret 2 plucked then fret 1: "note-step" Ok

fret 1 plucked then "open string": "note-step" too big!

The distance from the nut to the first fret is correct...so i wonder what causes this problem.

Issue #2:

The sound is brighter and louder without the fretboard. How could i prevent this?

Issue #3:

The box contains a piezo-pickup whose "input-socket" vibrates when a string is plucked, causing weird sounds. I fixed it by just plugging in a cableless plug when i want to play accoustic, so this issue is kinda solved. Anyway...

Question #4:

Should i add a soundhole?

I hope that i could fix the intonation-problem because i have spend a lot of time on this build and it is starting to get frustrating...

~Please excuse my english for i am no native speaker.~

Greetings

-MM

Views: 355

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

MM - I can't address all of your concerns, but I'll give you my "two cents" on #1 and #4.

#1 - I had the same problem on my first uke, and really I guess every fretted build I've done.

Basically the problem I was having was that my nut and bridge were too high, mostly the nut.  For example, I'd tune the G string, push the first fret and get an A instead of G#.  With the nut and bridge too high, I was overstretching the string, causing it to go sharp.

So to fix it, I started by carefully and patiently filing the slot on the nut for the G string.  I'd file a little, put the string in the slot, tune open G, press on the first fret, is it G#? Nope, file a little more, string in slot, tune to open G, press on first fret, is it G#?  Nope, repeat, repeat, repeat.  Eventually I get down to G#.  Then I repeat the process on the other three strings.  Then I go to the bridge and see how much I can lower it and still get string clearance.  Now if you are getting really close to having the string hit the first fret (because of lowering the nut slot too much), I would try lowering the bridge a little before getting to the point of no return on your nut.  This is a slow process, and you shouldn't rush it.  I would also suggest using the nylon strings for this process as they tend to stretch differently than the metal strings.

On #4 I'd say give it a sound hole.  The nylon strings don't ring loudly like metal or acoustic strings and will need the sound hole to project sound adequately.   

Good luck!

P.S. - Not sure, but I think once the fretboard is attached the tone will brighten up, with it loose it may not resonate properly...just guessing on that one.

Some really good answers here, and I think most is covered. To expand on Wayfinder's comments on #1; check where the string is resting on the nut - the string should be resting on a very small area of the nut right next to where the fretboard begins. On a factory made nut the slots all slope downwards towards the tuners so the string only contacts the nut on one small area. If the slots are flat, this could cause buzzing and intonation problems like the ones you are describing.

Make sure your intonation is correct at the nut before lowering the bridge - I can't see very well from the photo but the bridge action looks quite low already. A side-on pic might help diagnose...

Good luck!

 First thing I noticed is that the nuts the wrong way round , the slope should be facing the tuners , you can use it that way if you file the nut slots so that there angled downwards towards the tuners .

 Forgot to add with the nut that way round the scale will start from the back of the nut instead the  front edge

Wow guys, thanks for the replies!

I took a closer look at the bridge and filed it down a little, then moved it some milimeters and now i get the right notes from one string. The other strings don't sound right though.

But i think i found the reason: bridge is uneven so the scale length of the single strings differ from each other. The nut isnt exact too... I dont know why i didnt notice it in the first place... :/

Maybe the frustration blinded me yesterday! ;)

I think i'll make a new saddle and/or nut and everything will be fine i guess.

BTW the slots in the nut DO raise towards the fretboard. It has to be an optical illusion in the photo ;) 

There also is no buzzing exept that one coming from the piezo-plug-socket.

The fretboard i made out of rosewood. It still isnt glued yet but because of the following reason i dont notice the difference that much anymore:

I added a small soundhole in the "left top" corner and it helped the sound A LOT!

It is brighter and louder!

This is btw my first fretted and my third build ever.

Thank you!

 You need to finish the uke and put all four strings on then do the intonation  just the top string and the bottom string

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

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!"
11 hours ago
Southern Ray replied to Timothy Hunter's discussion just came accross this pickup idea on youtube.
" Very interesting. Thank you Timothy!"
11 hours ago
Kent Thurston updated their profile
12 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…
12 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…
12 hours ago
Poorness Studios liked A.D.EKER's video
14 hours ago
BrianQ. left a comment for Rob (Uker) Porras
"Hope this helps?"
15 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…"
17 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
20 hours ago
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 ...
21 hours ago
Papa D commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo
Thumbnail

Dueling Flatheads

"Beautiful..Nice work Doug.."
yesterday
Papa D commented on Papa D's photo
Thumbnail

american1 Sun Glo

"Thanx AGP & Doug..  4 more coming soon"
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 -->