Heres a perfect and unique Christmas gift"build a cigar box ukulele from scratch or from a prebuilt kit. If you have seen all the online sites for ukuleles for sale, youve seen the wide range of prices and the host of available models from beginner to professional unit. Think about building your own. Not sure if you have all you need? Consider the following techniques and recommendations and you will see that you can build a beautiful, good sounding, acoustical instrument. Cigar box ukuleles are relatively simple to make and at the same time offer you the ability to build a high quality, well playing acoustical instrument.
No matter which of the basic ukuleles you choose"soprano, concert, tenor or baritone, you can have a successful build, if you start at the right place. The place to start is the box, which is the most unique part of a cigar box instrument. Thats our primary concern here; pay close attention to the following four key elements 1. Use the right box 2. Reinforce the box 3. Use the right hardware and attachment methods 4. Follow the rules
Let us start with #1 Use the right box. Cigar box ukuleles originated as an outgrowth of the tramp art culture where the idea was to build with discarded materials, or at the least to use leftovers that were meant for a completely different initial use. So bear in mind that your sound box, that most basic element of any ukulele building kit, depends in this case on using discarded, although oftentimes extravagant, very well constructed and enchantingly beautiful, packaging material. Cigar boxes come in a very wide range of sizes, shapes, length to width ratios, thicknesses and materials (dont use all-cardboard boxes), not to mention how well, or not, they are constructed. Pick whatever suites your fancy, but bear in mind the following guidelines for optimum size depending on the instrument you are building.
Baritone Ukulele use a box between 9 and 11 long Tenor Ukulele use a box between 8 and 10 long Concert Ukulele use a box between 8 and 10 long Soprano Ukulele use a box between 7 and 9 long
You will need to reinforce whatever box you choose. Start with x blocks glued inside the corners of the box using Titebond II glue or equal. A thin coat of glue on each block, held in the corner of the box for about 30 seconds will add to the useful life of your ukulele. Float these blocks a little above the soundboard (The box bottom usually made of solid or laminated wood about 1/8 or so thick. Use a 3/16 x 3/8 support block glued on its edge inside the soundboard directly below or very near the location of the bridge. This will flatten the slight indentation of the soundboard caused by string tension. Finally, be sure to remove any paper glued to the inside of the box so you get a firm wood to wood glue line at all blocking.
Note that any paper thats inside the box should be removed at blocking locations so you get a firm wood to wood glue line at all blocking. Use a damp cloth and a straight edge, scraper or single edge razor blade to remove the paper. With regard to hardware and attachment methods, the main thing to remember is not to skimp on these components. Use only the highest quality screws and other fasteners. These components are only a fraction of the cost of the completed instrument, and you can therefore justify paying additional cost for exceptional quality in this area. Mark all fastener locations very carefully using a template and marking each with an awl, nail set or any tool that you can use to press an indentation in the wood at the fastener location. Pre-drill appropriate pilot holes to receive fasteners and use only hand tools (no power drills) to drive screws or tighten nuts.
This is important. Dont forget number four on the list, follow the rules. You may have heard that in the cigar box ukulele and banjo world there are no rules. There really are just two. Rule #1 is Do it your way, and rule #2 is Dont forget rule #1. Pay attention to the basic box preparation steps above, use a good box for your purpose, use your creative imagination, and, above all, follow the rules. Good luck and good building.
No matter which of the basic ukuleles you choose"soprano, concert, tenor or baritone, you can have a successful build, if you start at the right place. The place to start is the box, which is the most unique part of a cigar box instrument. Thats our primary concern here; pay close attention to the following four key elements 1. Use the right box 2. Reinforce the box 3. Use the right hardware and attachment methods 4. Follow the rules
Let us start with #1 Use the right box. Cigar box ukuleles originated as an outgrowth of the tramp art culture where the idea was to build with discarded materials, or at the least to use leftovers that were meant for a completely different initial use. So bear in mind that your sound box, that most basic element of any ukulele building kit, depends in this case on using discarded, although oftentimes extravagant, very well constructed and enchantingly beautiful, packaging material. Cigar boxes come in a very wide range of sizes, shapes, length to width ratios, thicknesses and materials (dont use all-cardboard boxes), not to mention how well, or not, they are constructed. Pick whatever suites your fancy, but bear in mind the following guidelines for optimum size depending on the instrument you are building.
Baritone Ukulele use a box between 9 and 11 long Tenor Ukulele use a box between 8 and 10 long Concert Ukulele use a box between 8 and 10 long Soprano Ukulele use a box between 7 and 9 long
You will need to reinforce whatever box you choose. Start with x blocks glued inside the corners of the box using Titebond II glue or equal. A thin coat of glue on each block, held in the corner of the box for about 30 seconds will add to the useful life of your ukulele. Float these blocks a little above the soundboard (The box bottom usually made of solid or laminated wood about 1/8 or so thick. Use a 3/16 x 3/8 support block glued on its edge inside the soundboard directly below or very near the location of the bridge. This will flatten the slight indentation of the soundboard caused by string tension. Finally, be sure to remove any paper glued to the inside of the box so you get a firm wood to wood glue line at all blocking.
Note that any paper thats inside the box should be removed at blocking locations so you get a firm wood to wood glue line at all blocking. Use a damp cloth and a straight edge, scraper or single edge razor blade to remove the paper. With regard to hardware and attachment methods, the main thing to remember is not to skimp on these components. Use only the highest quality screws and other fasteners. These components are only a fraction of the cost of the completed instrument, and you can therefore justify paying additional cost for exceptional quality in this area. Mark all fastener locations very carefully using a template and marking each with an awl, nail set or any tool that you can use to press an indentation in the wood at the fastener location. Pre-drill appropriate pilot holes to receive fasteners and use only hand tools (no power drills) to drive screws or tighten nuts.
This is important. Dont forget number four on the list, follow the rules. You may have heard that in the cigar box ukulele and banjo world there are no rules. There really are just two. Rule #1 is Do it your way, and rule #2 is Dont forget rule #1. Pay attention to the basic box preparation steps above, use a good box for your purpose, use your creative imagination, and, above all, follow the rules. Good luck and good building.
About the Author:
To learn more about building your ukulele here or email me at Walker Hayes and Ill send you a follow up with pictures.
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