I love a good design and you hit the nail on the head with that one. Very... ummm modern? If that is the right word. What ever the word is it's very cool. Good job.
![[:Y:]](./images/smilies/smiley20.gif "Thumbs Up")
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| Author: | Todd Rose [ Mon Jan 14, 2013 9:44 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Brave New Uke |
Just completed. First of its kind. 370mm/14.6" scale uke with a low G. I am extremely pleased with the sound: warmer and deeper than a normal uke, while also somewhat banjo-like. Pretty loud, too. All of which is essentially what I'd intended, so I'm very happy with the results. Plan to make more like it, including variations with different size rims, different scale lengths, different numbers of strings, and different tunings -- mandos, octave guitars, 5-string banjo-type things, etc. Top, back, neck: holly FB, bridge, armrest (which is easily removed): ebony Rim: black-dyed maple Thanks for looking! I will try to get some decent sound clips soon. |
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| Author: | Todd Rose [ Mon Jan 14, 2013 9:47 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Brave New Uke |
A few more... |
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| Author: | Todd Rose [ Mon Jan 14, 2013 9:48 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Brave New Uke |
And the last two... |
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| Author: | Todd Rose [ Mon Jan 14, 2013 10:08 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Brave New Uke |
Here's one more shot with a better-contrasting background. |
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| Author: | David Newton [ Mon Jan 14, 2013 10:36 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Brave New Uke |
Well, I love it. So elemental. Actually I don't have the right word to describe it. It isn't exactly simple to build is it? maybe even complex, or am I over-thinking it? Is there a danger that it goes viral, and you have to ship production to China? |
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| Author: | Robbie_McD [ Mon Jan 14, 2013 11:26 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Brave New Uke |
I like it Todd, very unique. |
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| Author: | Todd Rose [ Tue Jan 15, 2013 7:43 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Brave New Uke |
Thanks, Robbie and David! David, it's always a challenge to design and build something new, but after I've built a few of these and worked out a few kinks in the process, they will be much faster to build than a guitar. Making these affordable -- while still having the high quality, great sound, unique character, and beauty of a fine handmade instrument -- is very much a part of the whole concept. |
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| Author: | MaxBishop [ Tue Jan 15, 2013 8:30 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Brave New Uke |
Great instrument, Todd. Mind-bendingly unique. Max |
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| Author: | jfmckenna [ Tue Jan 15, 2013 8:41 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Brave New Uke |
I love a good design and you hit the nail on the head with that one. Very... ummm modern? If that is the right word. What ever the word is it's very cool. Good job.
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| Author: | Tony_in_NYC [ Tue Jan 15, 2013 9:02 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Brave New Uke |
That is one cool little instrument! Very innovative. Sound clip maybe? |
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| Author: | timoM [ Tue Jan 15, 2013 9:25 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Brave New Uke |
Wonderful work, thanks for posting. T |
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| Author: | cphanna [ Tue Jan 15, 2013 10:07 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Brave New Uke |
Hey, Todd, I don't know exactly how to describe it, either, but I think it's one of the more interesting concepts I've seen here in quite a while. I'm sure it would work with almost any wood combination, but your choice of holly and black woods is really stunning. I like it! Patrick |
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| Author: | WudWerkr [ Tue Jan 15, 2013 10:11 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Brave New Uke |
Sound Clip? Very interesting design and build . Does the back stay open or do you have a plug or cover ? Quote: Plan to make more like it, including variations with different size rims, different scale lengths, different numbers of strings, and different tunings -- mandos, octave guitars, 5-string banjo-type things, etc. Exactly where I was / am going with my Mand-Jo build . Pleas consider using the Mandolin Forum for these builds , I would like to get more activity on these type builds in that forum .
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| Author: | Todd Rose [ Tue Jan 15, 2013 12:49 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Brave New Uke |
Thank you, Todd. Your comments are very much appreciated. Thanks, too, to Max, JF, Tony, Tim, Patrick, and WudWerkr. I will post sound clips soon. Gotta practice up on this thing and record something decent. The back stays open, but, since it is against the player's body, it is usually covered, or mostly covered, leaving the side sound holes pretty much on their own to do the sound hole job. However, you can also get a cool "wah" effect by moving the instrument in and out against the body while playing. |
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| Author: | John Killin [ Tue Jan 15, 2013 4:45 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Brave New Uke |
This is too cool Todd. I love pretty much everything about it. Every time I look at it I see something else i like. At first glance it is so simple. Almost toyishly simple. The uke lends itself to that. Then as you look closer, you notice the hidden complexity. I like the wood contrast and the sound holes. Nice. |
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| Author: | Quine [ Tue Jan 15, 2013 5:26 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Brave New Uke |
Nice design. Looks very modern and classy |
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| Author: | mkellyvrod [ Tue Jan 15, 2013 5:35 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Brave New Uke |
It's so unique, you may have to give it a new name.
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| Author: | James Ringelspaugh [ Tue Jan 15, 2013 7:03 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Brave New Uke |
Very cool indeed! |
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| Author: | Todd Rose [ Tue Jan 15, 2013 9:17 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Brave New Uke |
Thanks John, Kevin, Martin, and Lex. I'd like to come up with a name for the whole series of instruments I plan to make with this basic design. I've been brainstorming, but to no avail yet... something that would either precede or follow "uke", "mandolin", "guitar", etc... like "astro uke", or "uke nouveau" (two ideas that emerged and were rejected). It could be something which is in some way descriptive, or just something more or less random that's catchy. If anyone has any ideas, I'm all ears. |
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| Author: | Darryl Young [ Wed Jan 16, 2013 12:18 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Brave New Uke |
It looks great Todd! Call it the Lollypop series. |
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| Author: | blindrobert [ Wed Jan 16, 2013 7:16 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Brave New Uke |
I love the look of that uke! You did a really nice job with both the overall concept and the execution of the details. Please post a soundclip - I'm dying to know. Beautiful instrument! |
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| Author: | mkellyvrod [ Wed Jan 16, 2013 7:28 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Brave New Uke |
Todd, couldn't resist. The instrument has an "art deco" look to me; how about the "Deco-Rose" series? Quote: art dec·o also Art Dec·o (ärt dk) n. A decorative and architectural style of the period 1925-1940, characterized by geometric designs, bold colors, and the use of plastic and glass. Geometric and bold - describe your design. Just my two cents worth. Regardless, I'm really impressed by the design. ![[clap]](./images/smilies/smiley32.gif "adulations") Marty |
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| Author: | DannyV [ Wed Jan 16, 2013 11:03 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Brave New Uke |
That is way to clever Todd. Nice design. Is the neck adjustable? Do you have a photo with the neck attached before it was closed? Thanks for sharing that. Danny |
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| Author: | Todd Rose [ Wed Jan 16, 2013 12:17 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Brave New Uke |
Thanks, Darryl, Robert, Danny, and Marty, for your comments and ideas. Much appreciated. Danny, the neck angle is indeed adjustable, but it's not intended to be an adjustment that would be done often. It's simple, but somewhat fussy to do. The neck can also be removed easily if the need arises. You can see the simple brass bracket that holds the neck on in a couple of these photos, through the hole in the back. That black dowel goes right into the inboard end of the neck. The hole in the rim that the dowel passes through acts as a fulcral point (the fit of the dowel is snuggish, with just a tiny smidge of wiggle room) allowing the neck angle to be adjusted by loosening the two screws* fastening the bracket to the end block and sliding it up or down; the holes in the bracket are elongated to allow that movement. There's not much clearance between the dowel and the underside of the soundboard, but it's enough. *I used square drive screws and I got a nifty little ratchet, made for working on bikes, that accepts a variety of bits, including square drive bits, so loosening and tightening those screws through the back sound hole is easy. The rim, by the way, is cut from a laminated maple cylinder that I bought from a manufacturer whose main customers are drum makers. The simple brass bracket idea works, but I may change to something a little more substantial. Everything on this prototype works, but there are a couple little tweaks to the design (functional things, not aesthetic) that I'm considering. |
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| Author: | Todd Rose [ Wed Jan 16, 2013 12:31 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Brave New Uke |
A little more info for ya... The soundboard is very thin, and there are no braces. There is virtually no stress on the top, because the strings pass through the bridge without putting any significant torque or downpressure on it. Look at the photo taken from straight out to the side to see what I mean. These aspects of the design are really the crux of the matter, inasmuch as the sound of the instrument is concerned. |
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