Over the weekend I designed an electric solid body ukulele. It's modeled after the Rickenbacker 4000 series bass, just scaled down to be a concert uke. This will be the first instrument I've ever built from scratch. I'm just wondering if anyone else has built something similar on the forum. I have some questions like "What kind of fret wire should I use?" and "Should I build it for nylon or steel strings?". I bought a piece of purpleheart today at this amazing hardwood store I just discovered right down the street from where I work, so I can dive right into this as soon as my design is finalized. Let me know what you guys think.
New project - electric ukulele UPDATE - I NEED ADVICE PLEEEZE
- Thread starter hannaugh
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ledzepplin6914
Junior Member
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i didnt think nylon strings worked with pickups being that they are not metal
Nando Vallart
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You can have pickups for nylon, but need to be tranducer...
seems like there is some info on this site: http://ukulelehunt.com/buyaukulele/ (I haven't looked at it at all...)
I like the idea... I think you shall plan it a lot and have a lot patience, those two things are the keys to a good instrument...
Somewhat related, love this one:
seems like there is some info on this site: http://ukulelehunt.com/buyaukulele/ (I haven't looked at it at all...)
I like the idea... I think you shall plan it a lot and have a lot patience, those two things are the keys to a good instrument...
Somewhat related, love this one:
Death by Uberschall
Master Member
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Internal mic with a pre-amp. :icon_thumright:
Or, depending on how wide the bridge will be, http://www.fishman.com/products/details.asp?id=97 .
Or, depending on how wide the bridge will be, http://www.fishman.com/products/details.asp?id=97 .
Nightclub Dwight
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Hannaugh, Stew Mac sells a uke kit, so they should have the fretwire and other goodies you'll eventually need. You don't need to buy their kit, but checking it out can give you an idea of what they're using, and you can order appropriately.
Sounds like a fun project.
Sounds like a fun project.
Death by Uberschall
Master Member
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Hannaugh, here's a little inspiration for you. :icon_thumright:
[youtube=425,350]3mEqEe-PIC8[/youtube]
[youtube=425,350]3mEqEe-PIC8[/youtube]
O
OzziePete
Guest
This sounds like a real nitty gritty project Hannaugh, good luck with it. :icon_thumright:
On the subject of electrification, I think it's Fishman that has a blend system using a piezo undersaddle bridge pickup & a soundhole mike. It might eb a bit expensive but I think it would really bring the sound out of the uke. If you are thinking of going with that, though, check the dimensions of your soundhole and what the minimum is for that soundhole mike attachment. Stew Mac sells them online.
On the subject of electrification, I think it's Fishman that has a blend system using a piezo undersaddle bridge pickup & a soundhole mike. It might eb a bit expensive but I think it would really bring the sound out of the uke. If you are thinking of going with that, though, check the dimensions of your soundhole and what the minimum is for that soundhole mike attachment. Stew Mac sells them online.
Another way to go is the Dimarzio DP130 Contact Piezo:
http://shop.donsmusiccity.com/p-1048-dimarzio-dp130-acoustic-pickup.aspx
I'd link directly to Dimarzio, but the site is flash so links don't work.
I picked one up at an estate sale, but haven't played with it yet.
http://shop.donsmusiccity.com/p-1048-dimarzio-dp130-acoustic-pickup.aspx
I'd link directly to Dimarzio, but the site is flash so links don't work.
I picked one up at an estate sale, but haven't played with it yet.
Okay, I've been snooping around on the Ukulele Cosmos site, and someone told me about this guy: http://www.petehowlettukulele.co.uk/
His Uklectics are the same concept as what I want to do, so I think I'll email him and ask him what he uses under the bridge.
His Uklectics are the same concept as what I want to do, so I think I'll email him and ask him what he uses under the bridge.
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