This is a great tutorial. I built a tenor length uke based on your plan. I did not want a pickup so I kept the back end open (like the Backpacker design). I have taken it on numerous trips and have played it in France, Hawaii, Texas, California, Connecticut, New York, Arkansas, Missouri and Illinois. I found the tuning difficult as individual strings did not want to slide on the turn around. I ended up replacing the "tatoo pen grip" with individual ball bearings for each string. This has greatly improved the tunability.
Hi! Love the video and instrument. I want to make one of my own and nearly have all the things needed to make it. Question: Unlike a regular ukulele that has a nut at the top, how can this produce music without it? I'm not experienced in this sort of craft. Id appreciate if you could provide me with insight.
The nut does two main things. It’s sets the string spacing and raises the strings over the frets. With this design, the string spacing is set by the holes in the end. And I used a slightly larger fret for the “zero fret” to raise the strings over the other frets.
@@CircuitsAndStrings Polystyrene!!! Why did you choose to use this as a material to enclose the piezo rod? I appreciate your response and clear explanation!
Hi, I'm waiting for all the parts to arrive ... :) I can see that the cut out is necessary for installing the tuners, but is it necessary acoustically? I have a piece of 44mm thick ash, and was considering routering out a cavity in the back for the tuners, and leaving the uke solid on top. I know I'd need to add a fretboard to give some clearance, but that's not a problem. More worried about affecting the sound. I'd welcome your opinion - thanks for all your work. An accoustic bass is next!
hey great work. I wonder if you added a back to the main box body if it would have a little more body to the sound. it sounds great but doesn't hum or ring out. I don't know alot about travel ukes but I like it.
Howdy. The main body is the same size as the concert. The neck is just elongated about 2.5 inches. Send an email to circuitsandstrings@gmail.com and I'll send you the fret template that I used.
I used to buy tattoo gun grips as turnarounds, but the correct type has been hard to find lately. So I either 3D print it or use nylon washers. ruclips.net/video/iCdEREPHGNg/видео.html
Hello i was wondering. How you can drill this long hole from the large hole without hitting the drill holes for the turnaround and without leaving this narrow area.
You should put together a Kickstarter page or get in contact with some instrument makers to see if you could get funded for this. I would truly love to own one of these.
Would be nice to have the sizes, to build one ,like neck length, body with and length, theres not enought info to build one, the video is interesting but would like the sizes, and where did all the hardware come from, where do I buy it at.
Here are some helps to make a concert version of this instrument. circuitsandstrings.wordpress.com/2015/06/09/building-a-travel-ukulele/ And fret template for the tenor version. circuitsandstrings.wordpress.com/2017/07/21/tenor-and-sopranino-travel-ukulele-fret-templates/
I'm looking to make one of these and just want to make sure I choose the right wood. Would a 1 inch thick by 3 1/2 inch wide maple board be just big enough to make this? Thanks, your videos are an inspiration!
+Euel Pamintuan Yes. That should be just fine. Just make sure the board is really close to 1 inch thick. Lumber mills sometimes round up to the nearest inch. (Like a 2 by 4 not truly being 2 inches by 4 inches) The thickness is required to install the output jack. Good luck! Let me know, if you have more questions.
I am making one of these out of native New Zealand wood called Tōtara, but I am making it steel string and using a singlecoil pickup. I was just wondering if anything needs to be adapted for steel strings such as the bridge material and friction tuners. Thanks!
I don’t think you’ll have to change much about the design. But here are a couple of suggestions. Make sure to have some kind of metal ferrules to stop the ball ends of the metal strings from digging into the wood at the headstock end. Also use some kind of geared tuning machines. I used banjo style 4 to 1 geared tuning machines for this particular ukulele.
@@CircuitsAndStrings Thanks for the reply. Would using regular geared guitar tuners with the knobs pointing up get in the way of strumming and picking? Or are the strings high enough of the body that it wouldn't? Thanks!
I’ve done a few travel ukuleles with normal geared tuners. I strum around the 12 fret, so they never get in the way. If you strum close to the bridge (which is uncommon) then it could be a problem.
I'm going to make my own travel ukulele soon but I can't find the right tattoo grip. Can you tell me where you got yours? Or maybe send me a link? Thanks.
+Simon Istace Here's a bunch of info about making a concert version of this uke. circuitsandstrings.wordpress.com/2015/06/09/building-a-travel-ukulele/
+Camila San Martín Torres It's a tattoo grip. Here's one like it: www.ebay.com/itm/321185835379 Good luck with your project. Share pictures when you are done.
Camila San Martín Torres I used a roller from a copier but you can use a dowel or just get a tree branch and cut a piece and sand it put grooves in it for the strings to rest...
I gotta make one of these now! Any room anywhere for a pre-amp so you could practice w earbuds? Where is the pickup mic on this? Oh, okay...piezorod. Got it now...
Yeah. Not having the right tools can make it hard. My Altoids ukulele can be made with hand tools. circuitsandstrings.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/altoids-ukulele-plans.pdf
Normal bass strings need a longer neck for the low notes. With special short scale bass strings, the scale length can be around 20 inches. This has a scale length of 17.5 inches, so it would be a little short.
Unfortunately I don’t make kits for this. But I do have a free guide for making one. circuitsandstrings.wordpress.com/2015/06/09/building-a-travel-ukulele/
Awesome work dude! I really want to do this but I can't find any ukulele fret on internet, can you tell me where did you buy them please? Also I was wondering if the sound would be different if I 3D print the neck with plastic instead of carving it from wood. Thanks.
+Brice cx Here's a place to get some medium/medium fret wire. www.cbgitty.com/cigar-box-guitar-parts/medium-medium-nickel-silver-fret-wire-6-ft/ The sound will be different on a 3D printed uke, but I'm not sure how much. Let me know if you try it.
+CircuitsAndStrings I get it. But what I do not have is the fretwork template of a tenor .. I can not get it anywhere. Do you have it? I just want to try one of those 😂😂😂
awesome build! i'm just starting a build of my own but a solid standard uke styling, what sort of undersaddle pickup did you use? i can only find cheap ebay ones or really expensive ones...thanks!
That's what I ordered earlier so I'm grateful for your reply :D thanks, I was thinking worst case it didn't sound good or work at all I could just upgrade the pickup, but yours sounds great so I wanted to check, love your builds, you inspired mine :)
Hi, I would like to try this myself and have collected most of the parts. Would appreciate if you could help me with this silly doubt. Does the bridge pickup or under saddle pickup should be snug inside the tube that holds it or just anywhere inside would work? Or if I want to put it in a better way, should the piezo be pressed by the strings to pickup the sound? Please let me know. Thanks!
A piezo rod fits snugly inside a 3/16 plastic tube. If the rod is a little loose inside the tube, you may get some rattle. You can use some plastic or wood shins to secure it inside the tube. Some people have laid the strings directly on the piezo rod. I think the plastic tube mellows out the sound.
Thank you so much! The reason I asked you was I got no or very little sound when I used a copper tube. Should the tube be plastic? Any other alternative that you may suggest? To mention I compressed the copper tube to make a tight fit and yet I got very less sound.
Great project and playing. I have a question. I notice you don't have a nut on the instrument. How do you keep the strings above the 1+ frets? Is fret 0 higher than other ones? Thanks!
wait wait. Lemme see if I understand Box+jack1/4=loud with and without the amp 0box+jack1/4="It isn't loud, but it is still able to be heard by the player"
Hi. I'm in the middle of making one of these and I have a question. I am not a musician and am making one for a buddy who is a band teacher. What are the diameters of the strings you are using? Trying to figure out what size bit to use at the end.
+ShavraFootball The piezo rod is wired directly to the output jack. Here is a diagram. cdn.instructables.com/F9C/0DLH/HIYJVVMG/F9C0DLHHIYJVVMG.MEDIUM.jpg
Just a thought :: instead of making a complete instrument for sale, make a rough kit and let the customer finish it ; it would be like a collaboration .
What parts did you order for this project? I'm in a shop class and down the line here soon I'd like to make something quite similar to what you have made. If I could get an idea of all the parts you ordered, it'd be my saving grace.
A little of both. 😆🤣 I infrequently make them to sell. But I also give away free plans for it on my blog. circuitsandstrings.wordpress.com/2015/06/09/building-a-travel-ukulele/
Hey, I'm a bit of a newbie to the world of piezos, so I have a few questions I wanted to know if you could answer. Do you have a problem with feedback and/or white noise when using a piezo? If so, how do you compensate for that, especially with an acoustic ukulele? Do you use a preamp, and what kind? Do you use one for recording to a computer (if you happen to do that at all)? These may or may not be dumb questions, but I've been curious about these things for a while. And I love your channel by the way, I've spent about an hour sifting through your different projects and am astonished by your creations. You are phenomenally gifted!
+WilsonWilson Thanks for checking out my projects. I've been very pleased with how piezo rods sound. I normally mount them under the saddle. I haven't had problems with feedback or white noise. A preamp does help the sound too. There are a bunch of them on eBay. www.ebay.com/itm/181796072183 For computer recording, (which I don't do a lot of) I use an audio USB interface. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Don't know what I'm more amazed by, how well it was made or how well you can play!!!
Thanks for the kind words!
Rtțțtètțt
This is absolutely crazy and I LOVE IT.
You are an artist.
+Bernadette Teaches Music Thanks. That is very kind.
This is a great tutorial. I built a tenor length uke based on your plan. I did not want a pickup so I kept the back end open (like the Backpacker design). I have taken it on numerous trips and have played it in France, Hawaii, Texas, California, Connecticut, New York, Arkansas, Missouri and Illinois. I found the tuning difficult as individual strings did not want to slide on the turn around. I ended up replacing the "tatoo pen grip" with individual ball bearings for each string. This has greatly improved the tunability.
+Keith Short I’m glad you were able to make it work for you. I saw your video about it. Great job. :)
Keith Short
Where does one buy these "ball-bearng turnaround parts? TIA !
Nice build video. Looks great.
Wow! Amazing! The way you built AND the way you play!
Thanks for watching!
Why? A regular ukulele wasn't small enough for travel?
+Tamas Toth nope. 😀🎸
Tamas Toth, your right, but I'm sure you agree it's still cool.
if you don't have a proper case it might break, this is actually great
I made this one with a piece of plywood and stuff I had around the house. Have not strung it with nylon strings yet but soon. Looks cool...
Cool. Do you have a picture of your creation?
Wow!It looks nice and tough. Very good craftmanship.
Thanks! It was a fun project.
This is so, so cool!!
omg I love your profile pic haha! :)
Super cool. Sounds great.
Great project, might have to give it a go!
Good luck! Let me know if you have any questions about it.
Wow ... Great job! I think you are very smart. It's really eye-opening! Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
+Jason Kluge Thanks Jason!
I want a ukulele like this so badly by the way Im from Philippines and I am so amaze on how you guys are so creative hope I can buy one
Cool. Taga saan ka sa Philippines?
CircuitsAndStrings Mindanao sir specifically Davao is there any chance sir I can buy one?
Hi! Love the video and instrument. I want to make one of my own and nearly have all the things needed to make it. Question: Unlike a regular ukulele that has a nut at the top, how can this produce music without it? I'm not experienced in this sort of craft. Id appreciate if you could provide me with insight.
The nut does two main things. It’s sets the string spacing and raises the strings over the frets. With this design, the string spacing is set by the holes in the end. And I used a slightly larger fret for the “zero fret” to raise the strings over the other frets.
Let me know if you have other questions.
@@CircuitsAndStrings Polystyrene!!! Why did you choose to use this as a material to enclose the piezo rod? I appreciate your response and clear explanation!
I was looking for a material that was stiff, but not too heavy. So a plastic material made more sense than a metal tube.
Hi, I'm waiting for all the parts to arrive ... :)
I can see that the cut out is necessary for installing the tuners, but is it necessary acoustically?
I have a piece of 44mm thick ash, and was considering routering out a cavity in the back for the tuners, and leaving the uke solid on top. I know I'd need to add a fretboard to give some clearance, but that's not a problem. More worried about affecting the sound.
I'd welcome your opinion - thanks for all your work. An accoustic bass is next!
I’ve seen other people rout out the top to leave the back intact. It’s certainly an option. I would probably try to go for around 1/8” for the top.
don't see why you should make a ukulele smaller for travel, as it's already very small, still very cool though!
Hu
hey, do you think you could make a nice guide with instructions on how to make it and how thick I should have my cuts and such?
+MangoDragon13 There are some guides and helps here:
circuitsandstrings.wordpress.com/free-plans/
I'd probably start out with an easier project first.
CircuitsAndStrings thanks for the reply, about how thick and wide should it be?
+MangoDragon13 3 inches wide, and 1 inch thick.
hey great work. I wonder if you added a back to the main box body if it would have a little more body to the sound. it sounds great but doesn't hum or ring out. I don't know alot about travel ukes but I like it.
+cody heiser Take a look at my "backpacker ukulele". I add a back to those. It helps to make it a little louder.
CircuitsAndStrings you've earned yourself a subscriber!
+cody heiser Thanks! I've got some neat projects coming over the next few months.
cody heiser I was going to do that too
How about giving us some links to the parts you use for your instruments?
What part are you having trouble finding?
@@CircuitsAndStrings
chrome turnaround
It's like a Risa Stick Ukulele, nice job
+Ryan Barker Thanks.
Would you be able to share the template for this tenor size? The concert's a bit too small for me. Looks and sounds amazing!!!
Howdy. The main body is the same size as the concert. The neck is just elongated about 2.5 inches. Send an email to circuitsandstrings@gmail.com and I'll send you the fret template that I used.
CircuitsAndStrings can you send me one as well or is it to late?..
Hey there. I really want to make this and when I searched for the turn around I couldn’t fine it. And tips or likes you could send me
I used to buy tattoo gun grips as turnarounds, but the correct type has been hard to find lately. So I either 3D print it or use nylon washers.
ruclips.net/video/iCdEREPHGNg/видео.html
Sounds great... what are the dimensions, especially overall length to fit in carry on airline ...typically less than 21"Thanks
+Terry's RUclips Here's the concert version. It's less than 20 inches long.
circuitsandstrings.wordpress.com/2015/06/09/building-a-travel-ukulele/
Hello i was wondering. How you can drill this long hole from the large hole without hitting the drill holes for the turnaround and without leaving this narrow area.
I think this step is the most difficult and technical. You need to use a long thin drill bit and be very careful.
@@CircuitsAndStrings I think so too, one step and it was all for nothing. Did you do it in the drill stand or freehand?
I do it freehand. But I also have a lot of practice.
@@CircuitsAndStrings Thx for the Tipp.
Tiny. But do you carry an amp when you are traveling? I guess a tiny amp too. I love it.
Yeah, it can be plugged into an amp. But it is loud enough acoustically for personal practice.
Awesome! Let me ask: once you have no "box" for the sound, does it still works nice without the cable?
+Loana Guedes It isn't loud, but it is still able to be heard by the player. It's great for practice.
Loana de Motonui it's very quiet. But if you sit it on a table or door it will naturally get loud
You should put together a Kickstarter page or get in contact with some instrument makers to see if you could get funded for this. I would truly love to own one of these.
+Samuel Maffit I wish I had the time to make a bunch more of these. Right now, I'm focusing on doing more "one offs".
Would be nice to have the sizes, to build one ,like neck length, body with and length, theres not enought info to build one, the video is interesting but would like the sizes, and where did all the hardware come from, where do I buy it at.
Here are some helps to make a concert version of this instrument.
circuitsandstrings.wordpress.com/2015/06/09/building-a-travel-ukulele/
And fret template for the tenor version.
circuitsandstrings.wordpress.com/2017/07/21/tenor-and-sopranino-travel-ukulele-fret-templates/
The bridge? If not doing a pick up with just the angle iron do or do you need something more round?
The bridge for this one is angled aluminum with one of the legs trimmed down and a plastic tube.
Please sell me one of your ukes 😍😍😍
what can be replace with the tatoo grip?any idea..
+Adli Halim You could make the turnaround on a lathe. Or just make it by hand. It just needs to direct the strings back towards the tuners.
I'm looking to make one of these and just want to make sure I choose the right wood. Would a 1 inch thick by 3 1/2 inch wide maple board be just big enough to make this? Thanks, your videos are an inspiration!
+Euel Pamintuan Yes. That should be just fine. Just make sure the board is really close to 1 inch thick. Lumber mills sometimes round up to the nearest inch. (Like a 2 by 4 not truly being 2 inches by 4 inches)
The thickness is required to install the output jack.
Good luck! Let me know, if you have more questions.
Can you build an 18 inch scale ubass in a similar stick format?
Advisable to make bridge height ADJUSTABLE somehow? How do you tweak the "action" above the frets otherwise?
With the tube and the metal, the string height is right. But it could be shimmed with washers.
I am making one of these out of native New Zealand wood called Tōtara, but I am making it steel string and using a singlecoil pickup. I was just wondering if anything needs to be adapted for steel strings such as the bridge material and friction tuners.
Thanks!
I don’t think you’ll have to change much about the design. But here are a couple of suggestions. Make sure to have some kind of metal ferrules to stop the ball ends of the metal strings from digging into the wood at the headstock end.
Also use some kind of geared tuning machines. I used banjo style 4 to 1 geared tuning machines for this particular ukulele.
@@CircuitsAndStrings Thanks for the reply. Would using regular geared guitar tuners with the knobs pointing up get in the way of strumming and picking? Or are the strings high enough of the body that it wouldn't?
Thanks!
I’ve done a few travel ukuleles with normal geared tuners. I strum around the 12 fret, so they never get in the way. If you strum close to the bridge (which is uncommon) then it could be a problem.
@@CircuitsAndStrings Thanks!
How much were the parts and how many hours did you put into this? How many power tools were involved?
Nah
DUDE, this is AMAZING... i want an uke like this right now... i would pay for one of this....
+rinconello Maybe some time I'll have time to make some to sell.
rinconello I'll sell u mine $50
AMAZING!!!
Thanks for watching and commenting. 😊
Woah can you make one for me? I always wanted a custom handmade ukelele
Shahbaz Butt ya $50 and I'll mail one to you
Cool build.....
Fantastic, where can I buy all the parts to make one and do you have full size templates available? Mahalo in advance
Here are some helps.
circuitsandstrings.wordpress.com/2017/07/21/tenor-and-sopranino-travel-ukulele-fret-templates/
How did you cut the body? You skipped right over that part.
+Chris Lees I used a scroll saw. You could also use a band saw, or maybe even a jig saw.
Awesome thanks!
How thick is the board you start with?
Around 1 inch thick.
I'm going to make my own travel ukulele soon but I can't find the right tattoo grip. Can you tell me where you got yours? Or maybe send me a link? Thanks.
This is the style I used.
rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F321185835379
Awesome! Thanks!
Could you please make a list of materials?
+Augusto Garrocho Here are some helps:
circuitsandstrings.wordpress.com/2015/06/09/building-a-travel-ukulele/
Whoa!! So nice!!
Hi i am from The Philippines do you sell one of these?
Cómo se llama la pieza redonda de abajo donde gustan las cuerdas
It is the “turnaround”. I use a tattoo gun grip.
Is there a template for the cutout that I could use for my own build?
I don't know how to place the frets...
+Jef Masereel circuitsandstrings.wordpress.com/2017/07/21/tenor-and-sopranino-travel-ukulele-fret-templates/
amazing job man 😳 ! I juste have a small question, What are the measures please ? I'd like to do mine so can you help me ? ☺
+Simon Istace Here's a bunch of info about making a concert version of this uke.
circuitsandstrings.wordpress.com/2015/06/09/building-a-travel-ukulele/
Thanks !
hey!!! i´m from Chile, your work is awesome!!!.
I'm making a ukulele like this. Where did you buy the "turn around" piece?
+Camila San Martín Torres It's a tattoo grip. Here's one like it:
www.ebay.com/itm/321185835379
Good luck with your project. Share pictures when you are done.
thanks!!! i will share you a few pictures
Camila San Martín Torres I used a roller from a copier but you can use a dowel or just get a tree branch and cut a piece and sand it put grooves in it for the strings to rest...
I gotta make one of these now!
Any room anywhere for a pre-amp so you could practice w earbuds?
Where is the pickup mic on this?
Oh, okay...piezorod. Got it now...
I think a small headphone amp would work great with this. Just plug it into the end pin jack.
Do you think one could also take a broken guitar/or ukulele neck and built it from that?
You could use a fretboard for this project, but you would still have to made the neck and body.
CircuitsAndStrings thank you, i‘m just trying to think...because I have no electric saw...
Yeah. Not having the right tools can make it hard.
My Altoids ukulele can be made with hand tools.
circuitsandstrings.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/altoids-ukulele-plans.pdf
CircuitsAndStrings thank you 😊
What would it be like if you put bass guitar strings in there?
Normal bass strings need a longer neck for the low notes. With special short scale bass strings, the scale length can be around 20 inches. This has a scale length of 17.5 inches, so it would be a little short.
@@CircuitsAndStrings That sounds like an incredibly cool project to do someday tho.
Do you offer a kit?
Unfortunately I don’t make kits for this. But I do have a free guide for making one.
circuitsandstrings.wordpress.com/2015/06/09/building-a-travel-ukulele/
Could you make this acoustic
+Gallagher's Homestead You could add thin pieces of wood to the back and top. Just make one of them removable for string changes.
What is the thickness of the wood?
It starts out 1 inch thick. If you do not want to install an endpin jack, it can be 3/4 inch thick.
If not do you have a parts list?
This video talks about all of the parts that I use.
ruclips.net/video/Aq6sbBtPSHU/видео.html
Thank you. I'll be building this as a gift
Good luck with your project. Who’s the lucky recipient?
Let me know if you have questions.
@@CircuitsAndStrings for my friends daughter
This is really cool. What are the dimensions for this?
Here are some helps to make a concert version.
circuitsandstrings.wordpress.com/2015/06/09/building-a-travel-ukulele/
Awesome work dude! I really want to do this but I can't find any ukulele fret on internet, can you tell me where did you buy them please?
Also I was wondering if the sound would be different if I 3D print the neck with plastic instead of carving it from wood.
Thanks.
+Brice cx Here's a place to get some medium/medium fret wire.
www.cbgitty.com/cigar-box-guitar-parts/medium-medium-nickel-silver-fret-wire-6-ft/
The sound will be different on a 3D printed uke, but I'm not sure how much. Let me know if you try it.
Thank you very much!
Ok I'll tell you if I try
what are the dimensions for the angled aluminum?
+John Dena 1/2" by 1/2" by 3". Then one of the 1/2" sides is cut down to about 1/8".
Does the piezo rod fit under the polycarbonate rod or inside it? Thank you
+Peter Dixon The piezo rod is inside the polystyrene tube. Let me know if you have more questions.
Nice work 🤘
Thanks!
Hey bro! I love this uke, pls can you give ke the material list??
Hi from Argentina!
This link has a video that talks about all of the needed parts.
circuitsandstrings.wordpress.com/2015/06/09/building-a-travel-ukulele/
@@CircuitsAndStrings Thanks! I try to do it ( sorry for my English :p)
Your English is good. No worries. :)
Let me know if you have any questions.
@@CircuitsAndStrings Ok :D!
This is Amazing Man! you have a plans of the ukulele tenor? I'm sorry for my primitive English
+CircuitsAndStrings I get it. But what I do not have is the fretwork template of a tenor .. I can not get it anywhere. Do you have it? I just want to try one of those 😂😂😂
Whats the distance from the zero fret to the 15 th ?
258 mm
thank you
awesome build! i'm just starting a build of my own but a solid standard uke styling, what sort of undersaddle pickup did you use? i can only find cheap ebay ones or really expensive ones...thanks!
I use the inexpensive eBay piezo rods. I think they work very well.
That's what I ordered earlier so I'm grateful for your reply :D thanks, I was thinking worst case it didn't sound good or work at all I could just upgrade the pickup, but yours sounds great so I wanted to check, love your builds, you inspired mine :)
+Dave Alvey Cool. Good luck. Share a picture or video when you are done. :)
Dave Alvey use the cheep ebay ones
I love all your projects so much!
Where do you find the turnaround piece?
+Nick Wilson It's a tattoo grip from eBay.
Can I make this without frets? As in marking the wood but not adding fret wire, would that work
+Rachel Pang I've seen some ukes without frets. They are harder to play, but doable. I've also seen people glue toothpicks as frets.
Also is there a specific type of wood to use? Is pressure treated wood ok or no?
+Rachel Pang I'd try to find a solid piece of wood. I used walnut in this. Maple and cherry are also nice.
+CircuitsAndStrings one more question, is there a nut & can I use a regular nut & saddle on this model ?
Hi, I would like to try this myself and have collected most of the parts. Would appreciate if you could help me with this silly doubt. Does the bridge pickup or under saddle pickup should be snug inside the tube that holds it or just anywhere inside would work? Or if I want to put it in a better way, should the piezo be pressed by the strings to pickup the sound? Please let me know. Thanks!
A piezo rod fits snugly inside a 3/16 plastic tube. If the rod is a little loose inside the tube, you may get some rattle. You can use some plastic or wood shins to secure it inside the tube. Some people have laid the strings directly on the piezo rod. I think the plastic tube mellows out the sound.
Good luck with your project!
Thank you so much! The reason I asked you was I got no or very little sound when I used a copper tube. Should the tube be plastic? Any other alternative that you may suggest? To mention I compressed the copper tube to make a tight fit and yet I got very less sound.
A metal tube tends to dampen the sound because it is too heavy. Try plastic, or even eliminating the tube. The rod itself could be the saddle.
Thank you, will update how that worked.
Nice build! Ever thought of building a Harpejji?
I had to look up that instrument. I think I’ve seen a video about it before. It would be an interesting project.
@@CircuitsAndStrings You definitely have the skills to build a Harpejji.
Great project and playing. I have a question. I notice you don't have a nut on the instrument. How do you keep the strings above the 1+ frets? Is fret 0 higher than other ones? Thanks!
I used a bigger fretwire for the zero fret nut. I used guitar fretwire for the normal frets, and bass fretwire for the zero fret.
do you think that with a box it could sound better with the amp?
Adding a box would make it louder when played acoustically.
wait wait. Lemme see if I understand
Box+jack1/4=loud with and without the amp
0box+jack1/4="It isn't loud, but it is still able to be heard by the player"
That’s the idea. The sound level of acoustic play will be dependent on how the box is constructed.
Hi. I'm in the middle of making one of these and I have a question. I am not a musician and am making one for a buddy who is a band teacher. What are the diameters of the strings you are using? Trying to figure out what size bit to use at the end.
+Chad Hanebrink 1/16" is a good bit to use. It's a normal size, and works well for a standard set of ukulele strings.
I went with a .073 because it was the smallest I had. I don't think .01" will make too much of a difference.
looks like you could build one from a boat oar
I did a few years back. :)
ruclips.net/video/_vK-UNTXVfc/видео.html
What is the total length of the body with out the end pin jack? Also the total width at the stock end?
The total length without the end pin jack is 21 inches. The neck is 1.5 inches wide at the “headstock” end.
I guess what I should have asked is the widest end? Thanks for your help. I am going to try and make a tenor.
The wood by the tuners is 3 inches wide.
Good luck!
Love the build of this. One question, what are the fret bars made from ?
Many thanks Ned.
It is called fretwire or fret wire.
Exactly how did you make it to be electronic? I am confused by this. I have a rod piezo but not sure how to use
+ShavraFootball The piezo rod is wired directly to the output jack. Here is a diagram. cdn.instructables.com/F9C/0DLH/HIYJVVMG/F9C0DLHHIYJVVMG.MEDIUM.jpg
Thank you but what is polystyrene rod for
ShavraFootball put it in the bridge where the strings go down to the turn around
ShavraFootball it's a small drinking straw
Do you have the plans online for this ukelele?
+Cody Johnson I have plans for its concert version. The only difference is the neck is a little longer, and it has a tenor scale length with 15 frets.
Where did you get true turnaround?
Hi Katie. I just saw your email and I’ll send you the link.
The turnaround is a black tattoo grip from eBay.
Good luck with your project!
Oops. This one is actually silver. But black is easier to find. I have to get the silver ones in a grab bag and hope I get lucky.
It's a cool little electric ukalale. What amp were you playing from? A pignose maybe
I used a basic, 10 watt Marshall electric guitar amp.
I'm from Brazil and I can not understand WHAT you talk, you can do the pickups?
+Jadson Ramos An undersaddle piezo rod is soldered to the output jack.
but the electromagnetic pickup you know?
brilliant.
How much did it all cost
The parts and wood are around $80.
Where did you get the turnabout thing?
It’s a tattoo grip that I got on eBay.
Just a thought :: instead of making a complete instrument for sale, make a rough kit and let the customer finish it ; it would be like a collaboration .
Awesome. Still needs an amp to use it. To be real portable get a vox amplug or vox amphones head phone amp.
What parts did you order for this project? I'm in a shop class and down the line here soon I'd like to make something quite similar to what you have made. If I could get an idea of all the parts you ordered, it'd be my saving grace.
This link gives some more details:
circuitsandstrings.wordpress.com/2015/06/09/building-a-travel-ukulele/
Are you using regular nylon strings on this? Is the piezo rod tube glued or fastened to the aluminum somehow? This is is a very nice build.
+richard carlton yes. I am using regular nylon ukulele strings. I put a few dabs of super glue to keep the tube in place on the aluminum bridge.
richard carlton yes glued
DUDE.. I would LOVE this in a standard guitar (or bass!) style in the same scale....... do you build for clients? :O
How much did this cost roughly
You could get all of the wood and parts for around $80.
You are genuis. Or a very experienced luthier. Haha Do you sell that kind of ukulele?
A little of both. 😆🤣
I infrequently make them to sell. But I also give away free plans for it on my blog.
circuitsandstrings.wordpress.com/2015/06/09/building-a-travel-ukulele/
Isn't it goes out of tune fast because of touching the body?
It stays in tune just fine.
What song?
Noah Lemon The last song is called Lafayette Lilt.
this uk is super cool! also what did you play at the end of the vid? i must learn that!
+gaël dohet It's called the Lafayette Lilt.
circuitsandstrings.wordpress.com/2013/01/18/lafayette-lilt-tutorial/
CircuitsAndStrings
can... can i buy one?... please?
+Soool I'm not selling ones like this, but I do have a waiting list for the backpacker ukulele model.
CircuitsAndStrings please
what kind of string do you use? a regular ukulele string or an electric guitar string?
I just used normal nylon ukulele strings.
Maaaaaan, you're not selling any of these are you? Love your work!
+Scuddleston Thanks for checking it out. I wish I had the time to make more to sell. :)
The only thing I don't like is that he doesn't show how satisfying he cuts the wood
Hey, I'm a bit of a newbie to the world of piezos, so I have a few questions I wanted to know if you could answer. Do you have a problem with feedback and/or white noise when using a piezo? If so, how do you compensate for that, especially with an acoustic ukulele? Do you use a preamp, and what kind? Do you use one for recording to a computer (if you happen to do that at all)? These may or may not be dumb questions, but I've been curious about these things for a while.
And I love your channel by the way, I've spent about an hour sifting through your different projects and am astonished by your creations. You are phenomenally gifted!
+WilsonWilson Thanks for checking out my projects. I've been very pleased with how piezo rods sound. I normally mount them under the saddle. I haven't had problems with feedback or white noise. A preamp does help the sound too. There are a bunch of them on eBay. www.ebay.com/itm/181796072183
For computer recording, (which I don't do a lot of) I use an audio USB interface.
Let me know if you have any other questions.