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BalsaBoy
Aloha
USA
26 Posts |
 Posted - 12/01/2005 : 06:36:42 AM
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Aloha all,
I thought this would be fun to share. I know everyone is as busy as I am, but one of the greatest joys is to "just pick up da uke and strum um, yeh?". I build ukes and have played
plenty, but I find my favorite for a fun sound is an old ECHO koa, made in Hawaii in the
late 20's, that has a steel 'twanger' mounted under the bridge inside! It is actually a double
twanger, made of stamped steel, that kind of looks like longhorn steer horns. Who knows
how they ever came up with this, but it really does give a loud vibrating sound! This is a soprano size, with a deeper body (2 7/8" at the tail). Like all good ukes, the wood is thin
and very light. I'm going to try to duplicate this twanger idea in a new instrument and see
if it still works??!
Anyone else tried one of these?
"Twangin along" - Balsaboy (Paul)
p.s. - The Jumping Flea movie available real soon on DVD at:
[url][http://www.northpacificproductions.com]
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Fez
Aloha
New Zealand
19 Posts |
Posted - 12/01/2005 : 2:38:36 PM
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Kia ora BB,
Could you post us a picture or drawing of this twanger and how it's attached?
Cheers |
Arohanui
Fez |
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Reid
Ha`aha`a
Andorra
1526 Posts |
Posted - 12/01/2005 : 2:57:12 PM
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Aroha nui, Fez
I don't want to hijack the thread, but post some more in Maori (maoli in Hwn), please.
...Reid
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BalsaBoy
Aloha
USA
26 Posts |
Posted - 12/01/2005 : 6:04:01 PM
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Kia ora Fez,
I'll try to post a drawing of the twanger. The attachment looks like some sort of rivet, not
a screw, probably put on before the top was glued on. Where are you in Aotearoa? I spend a good deal of time in Northland each year. - BB |
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BalsaBoy
Aloha
USA
26 Posts |
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Dominator
Lokahi
USA
115 Posts |
Posted - 12/03/2005 : 11:20:03 AM
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Paul,
Right now the file is referring to the desktop of your pc. Therefore none of us can download the pic. You need to upload the file to a server somewhere on the internet and then post that link. If you email me the picture I will post it on my server for you.
Dominator
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www.dominator.ukeland.com
www.myspace.com/dominatoruke
Practice makes Practice Perfect! |
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BalsaBoy
Aloha
USA
26 Posts |
Posted - 12/03/2005 : 4:04:10 PM
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Mahalo Dominator!
My basic computer ignorance is leaking out. Hope that works! -BB |
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Fez
Aloha
New Zealand
19 Posts |
Posted - 12/04/2005 : 1:31:45 PM
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BalsaB,
I'm from Christchurch in the South Island where are you?
Haven't seen the pictures of the twanger yet.
Went to Dominators site but couldn't find them. Did you Email them successfully?
Fez |
Arohanui
Fez |
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BalsaBoy
Aloha
USA
26 Posts |
Posted - 12/04/2005 : 3:36:51 PM
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Fez,
The weather must be getting warm now, Christchurch is a beautiful city. I have surfing and music friends around there, but the last time I was there was back in the 70's. My wife & I
and our young family lived up near Whangarei back then, when we were residents, and
have been coming back regularly over all these years. I live in Northern California now. Do you know of Steve Evans and Beltona Ukuleles & Guitars? He is a friend, and makes fine resonator instruments in NZ.
I sent the drawing of the "twanger" to Dominator, who will post it here soon... hope that works. I'm making one from thin steel, 26 gauge, to try to duplicate what they used back then. Could be fun, or could be a dud, I'll let you know... stand by. Aloha, Balsaboy Paul |
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Dominator
Lokahi
USA
115 Posts |
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Fez
Aloha
New Zealand
19 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2005 : 1:39:36 PM
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Hi Paul,
I like the look of your ukes.
That twanger concept sure is interesting you might have sent a whole lot of ukers running to their sheds as from what I read, volume is a big issue in ukes.
I don't know Steve personally but as coincidence would have it I have one of his resonator ukes on order from him at present.
Hope they sound as good as they look!
It's impossible to buy quality uke in this country all of mine except the Beltona (I hope) have been imported at great cost.
Brian |
Arohanui
Fez |
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BalsaBoy
Aloha
USA
26 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2005 : 4:13:11 PM
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Thank you Fez. You'll like the Beltona by the way, what size are you getting? I did an interview with Steve for my new film, "The Jumping Flea".
The twanger may take a little experimentation to get it right, but its just for fun, so... anything goes. I hope others try it and let us know what happens!
If you ever need any uke stuff, I'd be happy to bring it down for you, and post it from Northland. Cheaper for you that way. contact me through my website.
Cheers, BalsaBoy Paul |
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William King
Aloha
1 Posts |
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BalsaBoy
Aloha
USA
26 Posts |
Posted - 12/20/2005 : 3:43:48 PM
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Aloha & welcome William,
Sorry to be so long with a follow up... wrapping presents! This thing is interesting, it gives
kind of a vibrato warble. Reminds me of an old 30's radio, and seems to be louder, although I can't take it out of the ECHO uke to tell the difference. I have made one out of spring steel and am going to put it in a soprano to try and duplicate the sound. Who knows. I'll post the results.
Mele Kalikimaka!
Paul |
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