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Karl Monetti
`Olu`olu
USA
756 Posts |
 Posted - 01/05/2009 : 8:57:29 PM
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I recently built one of my hollow necked ukes for my son. It was a tenor size, and I could not find a tenor case in town. However, a sales lady gave me a ratty old case that appeared to be of about the correct size. I was elated, and after cleaning it up and repairing the accessory box in the headstock end, I tried the new uke in it. Fit with some room to spare, until I tried closing the lid. I had built this uke on measurements of a Kamaka, and it is about 3.25 inches deep. The case is only 3 inches deep.
So, I gave my son the uke sans case. Now I have this really cool old case and want to make an instrument to fit it. Sizing it up, I can fit a scale length of approximately 20 inches on the one-off model. My measurements for concert size are 14.75 inches, and for tenor, 17 inches. I would like to know the length for a baritone. And, if I build one with a 20 inch scale length, would i have to tune it to guitar pitch, or could i keep it tuned to the fifth fret pitch of other ukes?
Thanks
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Karl
Frozen North |
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Konabob
`Olu`olu
USA
928 Posts |
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Earl
`Olu`olu
USA
523 Posts |
Posted - 01/06/2009 : 08:30:16 AM
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We visited Dusty Strings in Seattle last winter and while there picked up a couple very nice "Steady" brand padded gig bags. They come in all four uke sizes, have nice handles and accesory pockets, and a variety of colors (we got red and orange). Dusty Strings is the only place I have seen them, but they must be available out there somewhere.
Inside dimensions for my tenor sized Steady case: 27" L x 9" W x 3" D. The depth might not work for you, but I don't know the depth on a baritone size case. It's worth checking out. |
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cpatch
Ahonui
USA
2187 Posts |
Posted - 01/06/2009 : 09:35:59 AM
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Having been shopping for a tenor recently, my understanding is that the standard scale lengths for soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone ukes are 13", 15", 17", and 19" respectively. The standard overall lengths are 21", 23", 26", and 30".
Tuning for the baritone is dgbe. |
Craig
My goal is to be able to play as well as people think I can. |
Edited by - cpatch on 01/06/2009 09:40:02 AM |
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Karl Monetti
`Olu`olu
USA
756 Posts |
Posted - 01/07/2009 : 1:51:39 PM
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Konabob;
I have actually thought of that; not so much a solid body, but one like your Dennis LAke model you showed me last year at Sammy's. Guess I could build one of each, plus a baritone, to fit the case, eh?
Thanks Earl for the info on cases
Craig, thanks for the info on scale length. I have measured mine for 20 inches, but I could do 19 also. Think I will make it a six string, sort of a small guitar instead of a large uke. That way I can convert to lap slide with a nut extender |
Karl
Frozen North |
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cpatch
Ahonui
USA
2187 Posts |
Posted - 01/07/2009 : 2:52:41 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Karl Monetti
Think I will make it a six string, sort of a small guitar instead of a large uke. That way I can convert to lap slide with a nut extender
(I'll avoid the temptation to say, "That's what she said.") It would be interesting if you could design it so that you could string it as either a six-string ukulele or a lap slide, with the correct string spacing for each. It would take a little design ingenuity to pull it off but should still be possible.
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Craig
My goal is to be able to play as well as people think I can. |
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Mark
Ha`aha`a
USA
1628 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2009 : 09:19:34 AM
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quote:
It would be interesting if you could design it so that you could string it as either a six-string ukulele or a lap slide, with the correct string spacing for each. It would take a little design ingenuity to pull it off but should still be possible.
Cutting nut/saddles with slots for multiple string options is a standard practice in the dulcimer world. I like the idea of a six string baritone that could serve as either a travel guitar or a Lili`u-strung uke.
I also like the idea of designing an instrument to fit an existing case. |
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Karl Monetti
`Olu`olu
USA
756 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2009 : 09:36:05 AM
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OK, Mark, what is a Lili'u-strung uke?
This little guituke is braced in an X pattern like a guitar. I am confident I could use nylon or steel strings on it. I was going to ask opinions of which to use, but, heck, I'll just try them both and make up my mind.
Konabob's lap steel appears to have even string spacing from nut to saddle, but I do not know why the nut end could not be spaced the same as a normal fingerstyle guitar if I wanted to use it as a slide instrument; unless it is easier to use the bar on wider spaced strings; but then Dobros have regular guitar spacing. In the past I have not really done much research in making my instruments. I just sort of built them. I've been happy so far, guess I'll just trust my luck.
Here is the funky case that was given to me, between a full size guitar and a concert uke. Note the huge headstock end.
Inside of case with concert uke inside. Again, note the headstock end of the case; most of it taken up by an accessory compartment. Empty, this thing is really front end heavy!
The case seems to be made of plywood, but the edges of the lid are some kind of metal. WHole thing is leather covered. Inside is cheap fuzzy lining. Sort of ugly, but still way cool.
Here is the rough cut guituke. Doesn't quite fit in the case yet, will after I glue on sides and trip the top a bit. It is sort of a mini version of my Medusa travel guitar, with hollow neck of course.
The guituke with bridge and fingerboard laying on top. The body is walnut (top, sides, back), the neck is maple and sepele, the fingerboard maple, the bridge is WOUO (wood of unknown origin). Well, I actually know where it came from, just have no idea what it is. Hard, dense
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Karl
Frozen North |
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Mark
Ha`aha`a
USA
1628 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2009 : 2:45:18 PM
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quote:
OK, Mark, what is a Lili'u-strung uke?
Its a uke strung with two single strings and two double courses. There are a couple of different options, here are the two I know about:
G
C C octave up
E
A A octave down
or
G
C C octave up
E
A A unison
The trick to using the instrument for more than one stringing option would be to cut the bridge and saddle to accommodate al possible options. That's what a couple of my dulcimers do. (And yes, for the folkloristically sensitive-- there are historic instruments set up this way.)
Alternately, use a loose nut and saddle and just swap 'em out.
BTW: a uke with steel strings would be a cavaquinho-- the national instrument of Brazil. And Cape Verde.
Now start sawin' |
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Admin
Pupule
USA
4551 Posts |
Posted - 01/10/2009 : 7:07:01 PM
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| Karl's photos have been posted above. |
Andy |
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Karl Monetti
`Olu`olu
USA
756 Posts |
Posted - 01/10/2009 : 8:15:35 PM
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To fill out the original post ;
Those last two pictures are the tenor I made for my son, Jethro. He visited for Thanksgiving and played my wife's uke four days straight. And this for a kid who never played uke before. He's a natural on guitar, so uke was a snap for him. HE asked if i could make him one and I said yes, but he had 3 other guys ahead of him on the list. Well, between Thanksgiving and Christmas I made him this tenor as a gift. I decided to "give" him the retro case for his "gift". He really liked it, and i told him he could put his new ukulele in there once I made it and he paid me for it. Or, if he didn't like that case, he could look at the one I had in the closet, which I had bought a year ago in advance of making a tenor for myself. I had him go get the case from the closet (with his uke in there, of course). He looked it over and said, yeah, dad, I like this one much better. I told him the inside was pretty nice, too, and he opened it to find his real present. As far as i know, he has yet to put it down!
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Karl
Frozen North |
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Karl Monetti
`Olu`olu
USA
756 Posts |
Posted - 01/10/2009 : 8:18:59 PM
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Mark,
I think I will try one of the lili 'u tunings, using a removable saddle and nut to rework it as a guitar if I wish. Good idea, glad i thought of it :} |
Karl
Frozen North |
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